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DWC Bucket Construction Advice Needed

Discussion in 'Advanced Growing Techniques' started by sillypcybin, Oct 20, 2006.

  1. #1 sillypcybin, Oct 20, 2006
    I'm looking to find some advice on a good way to construct a 5 gallon self-contained-res bucket. I've constructed 4 buckets from Home Depot by wrapping tape around them multiple times until I cant see a laser light shine through from one side to the other, so I know those are light tight.. but the lids are such a pain! They let light through!

    Im looking for a better method of constructing a bucket so I can do it over and over with relative ease.

    Please provide closer detail to lid construction also. For instance, when I constructed the lids for the HD buckets (the ones that came with the buckets) I wrapped tape around them to the same light standards as the buckets.. then I cut away a hole to drop the net through. Cutting the hole was ridiculously hard so Im looking for advice on how to easily cut out a hole for the lids. Let's say I have a 6" round net, or a 4" round net OR a 6" square net.

    The lid had to 'snap' onto the bucket which made it amazingly hard to open and close the bucket to check PH and PPM readings 2x daily. I would rather have a lid that 'rests' on the bucket but doesnt allow for light to enter. Does anyone have any advice?

    The advice Ive gotten so far is to paint the bucket/lid and then possibly put tape over that. But what sort of paint does one use? Latex? And I still haven't gotten an answer as to the question of the bucket.

    Another possibility is to use a storage tote to accomplish a 2 or 4 site grow. Does anyone have any opinions or advice on how to construct a good tote that wont bow under the weight of filling it with that much water? Also, should the tote be taller and narrower or shorter and wider for a 4 site grow? And how many gallons should it be for a 2 site grow, and how many for a 4 site grow?

    Thanks in advance for answering any or all of these quetions!
     
  2. #2 Num, Oct 20, 2006
    u can put a layer of clays over the lid if ur having light probs.
    I suggest u go to a car accessory shop & buy some rubber grommets & rubber blanks.
    Cut a nice big hole for testing ph /ec - but big enough so u don't drop ur meter inside :/
    seal it with the rubber blank so that all the air u pump in can only escape by passing the roots.
    i was testing mine 2x daily, then daily........ now i just set it when i change solution & leave it a week.
    If u use canna vega / flores the ph doesn't change much between changes.

    *oh - add drain taps to ur buckets ;)


    my home made kit :D
    http://img153.imageshack.us/slideshow/player.php?id=img153/7396/1161366077v8v.smil
     
  3. #3 sillypcybin, Oct 21, 2006
    Well, this will be a self contained bucket... water wont be pumped into it. What is the drain trap for?
     
  4. #4 Num, Oct 21, 2006


    because at regular intervals u need to change out the solution in ur reservoir for new.
    it's hard as shit if u don't pre-plan ;)
    Make sure ur res isn't right at ground level either or u won't be able to empty it out right to the bottom.

    it is very hard to move & change out a 4ft plant in a bucket. Add a tap.
    Or use a cordless drill powered pump to change out ur shit ;)

    these are the shit.

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRAND-NEW-DRI...2QQihZ014QQcategoryZ93636QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

    u need the proper washer hoses too - don't underestimate how fast these pump!!
     
  5. #5 sillypcybin, Oct 22, 2006
    Ah but you still have to get the water UP there after you dump the water down off of it.
     
  6. #6 Num, Oct 22, 2006
    wtf do u mean :? U don't need to pump water up & down anywhere :?
    I mean when u change out ur soultion - fortnightly or w/e -

    u either need a drain tap to empty the bucket from, or a hole where u can pump out the old solution & pump in the new - hence the drill pump.

    Don't try to overcomplicate dwc. It's just a bucket with an airstone in it ffs!

    good luck neway ;)
     
  7. #7 Gator01, Oct 23, 2006
    Obviously no one here has a fish tank. Water changes are easy with the power of gravity. of course you need to be able to lift one bucket higher than he other. Just put the plant on a crate. Then you can stick a hose in the planter and syphon the old water out of it. then dump in toilet. then put plant back on floor and syphon the new water back into the bucket. I built 4 buckets this weekend each one has only one hole, other then the pot hole, that I can fit my pH/TDS meter into. I just use a syphon to change my water and it works like a champ. Forget the valve. Its the same thing as a syphon. you will still have to get the valve higher so it can drain. just saves on the construction headaches.:rolleyes:
     

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