How I Built My DWC System – Recirculating Deep Water Culture – Hydroponic Peppers & Tomatoes EASY
How I Built My DWC System – Recirculating Deep Water Culture – Hydroponic Peppers & Tomatoes EASY
In this video I give an overview of my newly built 5 – 5 gallon bucket DWC System. This is for growing 5 large plants such as peppers or tomatoes.
5 – 5 Gallon Firehouse Buckets (2 dollar donation for the bucket at firehouse)
1″ Uniseals, 1″ PVC Drain/Riser in Bucket
3″ PVC Gravity Return to Reservoir
Pump is a 264 gal/hr, running 24/7 from eBay (12 dollars or so)
Feed is 1/2″ PVC drilled for 1/8″ brass barb at each bucket just squirting in – capped at the end of the rail.
3″ Net Cups in Bucket Lid made with hole saw.
Reservoir not pictured because it is not the final one, currently a 5 gal tote. (Plants are very small)
No aeration, I don’t run any on my other buckets – relying on agitation of water alone to oxygenate.
Media is Rockwool for the seeded plants with clay pebbles.
The tomato sucker was rooted in just clay pebbles no rockwool.
Growing media is subjective and up to you. Rockwool, clay pebbles (Hydroton), coco, perlite, etc can be used.
Total system volume is currently 25 gallons. The reservoir tote is only 4 gallons. Will be changing reservoir to 27gal or 55gal tote like my other DWC/Dutch bucket system when I buy one or plants start drinking a lot.
Currently not running nutrients for plants to get acclimated to new system/environment.
Will put in Masterblend Tomato Formula 4-18-38, calcium nitrate, magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) after a couple days.
I do not check TDS or PH, I simply follow the instructions on nutrient label and add extra water every now and then.
Changes from 1st system:
1. 3″ Return Tube rather than 1″ and connectors. (Better flow, easier, less leaks and I could possibly use it as NFT rail for herbs between Buckets)
2. Single 1/2″ PVC feed with barbs, better than using drip tubing/fittings which clog easily and are difficult to clean. The barbs you can clean with a tooth pick. (On my next setup I might not even use barbs and just notch the bucket and drill the holes in the PVC, brass barbs aren’t the cheapest $1.5 each x 5)
Items that I recommend and/or use
Amazon Link to Pump: https://amzn.to/3btIwFC
Amazon Link to Nutrients Kit: https://amzn.to/2wR1rvg
Amazon Link to Masterblend Kit: https://amzn.to/2wR1rvg
Amazon Link to PPM Meter: https://amzn.to/2WWJ3eX
Amazon Link to 3″ Net Cups: https://amzn.to/3ah8mvl
Amazon Link to Hydroton Clay: https://amzn.to/3biFNPw
These are affiliate links that support the channel.
I’ve tried to clean these firehouse buckets to get the smell and acidity out of them, but it seems impossible. Has anyone had this problem and how did you solve it? I’ve tried washing with Dawn and used baking soda many times nothing seems to work, not even with scalding hot water.
where did you move your bbq too?
Hhmmkay
Not the easiest to find, but using clear hose will get you alge.
Pick up the plants in the drain and trim the roots.
Nice vedio.
Where to but a bucket like that
Axe Marks The Spot 🪓
How is it after all these years?
Soaking the grommets in hot water will make them flexible and easier to install
This is a great set up. Add some peroxide every so often to the water to balance the plant easier. It will stop any root rot and actually strengthen the plant. Have a Nice Day.
This is fantastic; exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!
What kind of nozzles are those? Where did you get them?
This is cool I hope you will show more I just subscribed👍🏻
Amazon Link to Nutrients Kit: https://amzn.to/2JqXmQW
Amazon Link to PPM Meter: https://amzn.to/2WWJ3eX
Amazon Link to 1" Uniseal Grommet: https://amzn.to/2UMsuzM
Hey Bob I’m in south Florida also. What are your res temps running at. Thanks
Wow Super 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌷❤️🌷🌹🍀💋💋🍀♥️🍀💋🍀❤️🍀
Could you potentially do this with raspberry bushes?
very cool system im trying to build something like this too on my patio using rainwater
I love my DWC system, although it’s a slightly different setup.
I’m growing zucchini, multiple varieties of tomatoes, two different hot peppers, bush beans, cucumber, and green peppers, and everything is doing great. I’m probably gonna setup another 8 buckets soon. Easy to setup, low maintenance, and easy cleaning in between grows. What’s not to like?
The only potential downside I can possible see is if you’re wanting to grow a lot of a single plant like maybe leafy greens, I wouldn’t wanna tie my buckets up just for say lettuce, but I have other gardens for that. I also have 5 AeroGardens, and AG knockoffs that I can get a surprising amount of leafy greens and herbs out of.
Good video, thanks.
I feel the drain shouldn’t be dead center as the roots go directly into the drain (to clog) but hey, If it works, it works.