4 Bucket RDWC (Suggestions encouraged)

Cali420hydro

Active Member
Dissolved Oxygen is key in RDWC,mass aeriation in your Res & buckets.& keep your Nute solution around 64-66 degress & you won't get root rot,Oh & run Cannazyme by Canna Nutrients it's the shit for the Root Zone.
 

blackforest

Well-Known Member
Your setup looks nice. There are a couple things to consider imo. I would wrap those buckets in thin roll insulation to help prevent light penetration. If they are not black buckets, light is def a factor. Also, tape up, or replace your air lines with black ones. Any light leaks will help grow bad bacteria and algae. If you are not using a chiller to keep your water termps low (mid 60's) in order to prevent root rot (pythium), I personally believe it will be a struggle running a sterile or beneficial environment with water temps in the 70's. It's practically guaranteed imo. There are several ways to keep your water temps low, chillers are most common, but a must imo.
 

Cali420hydro

Active Member
Your setup looks nice. There are a couple things to consider imo. I would wrap those buckets in thin roll insulation to help prevent light penetration. If they are not black buckets, light is def a factor. Also, tape up, or replace your air lines with black ones. Any light leaks will help grow bad bacteria and algae. If you are not using a chiller to keep your water termps low (mid 60's) in order to prevent root rot (pythium), I personally believe it will be a struggle running a sterile or beneficial environment with water temps in the 70's. It's practically guaranteed imo. There are several ways to keep your water temps low, chillers are most common, but a must imo.
I agree wrap ur buckets,& most def invest in a chiller,I'm running 4 buckets 17 gal Res & im running an Elemental 1/4 hp it's good for up to 40 gals max.if your not running chiller your almost guaranteed you'll get root rot.clean set up
 

Major Blazer

Well-Known Member
There are no return lines for the rear 2 buckets so I'm guessing you'll have lower water levels in them. I would add returns for sure.

I'm curious about your grommets on the bottoms of the buckets too. Is that 3/4"? or 1/2"?
 

Cali420hydro

Active Member
There are no return lines for the rear 2 buckets so I'm guessing you'll have lower water levels in them. I would add returns for sure.

I'm curious about your grommets on the bottoms of the buckets too. Is that 3/4"? or 1/2"?
Yes I have a return line directly to the Res it's 1/2" & my lines coming out of the Res to my buckets is all 3/4" & my grommets are 3/4" Hydro Flow & 1/2" Hydrofarm Top hat grommet to the Res.
 

FreedomFighter2014

Well-Known Member
Your setup looks nice. There are a couple things to consider imo. I would wrap those buckets in thin roll insulation to help prevent light penetration. If they are not black buckets, light is def a factor. Also, tape up, or replace your air lines with black ones. Any light leaks will help grow bad bacteria and algae. If you are not using a chiller to keep your water termps low (mid 60's) in order to prevent root rot (pythium), I personally believe it will be a struggle running a sterile or beneficial environment with water temps in the 70's. It's practically guaranteed imo. There are several ways to keep your water temps low, chillers are most common, but a must imo.
Yea i just finished building the sys. I have bubble insulation for the buckets. Also i have benifical bacteria i add that works wonders.
 

FreedomFighter2014

Well-Known Member
Yea bu
Your setup looks nice. There are a couple things to consider imo. I would wrap those buckets in thin roll insulation to help prevent light penetration. If they are not black buckets, light is def a factor. Also, tape up, or replace your air lines with black ones. Any light leaks will help grow bad bacteria and algae. If you are not using a chiller to keep your water termps low (mid 60's) in order to prevent root rot (pythium), I personally believe it will be a struggle running a sterile or beneficial environment with water temps in the 70's. It's practically guaranteed imo. There are several ways to keep your water temps low, chillers are most common, but a must imo.
Chillers are hella expensive. The last grown my water temp stayed at 78 and i just used hydro guard. Never got root rot that I could tell.
 

FreedomFighter2014

Well-Known Member
There are no return lines for the rear 2 buckets so I'm guessing you'll have lower water levels in them. I would add returns for sure.

I'm curious about your grommets on the bottoms of the buckets too. Is that 3/4"? or 1/2"?
Yea they are between the back 2 buckets. Cant see them in the pic.
 

FreedomFighter2014

Well-Known Member
4 RDWC I'd recommend air diffusers for max aeriation in your buckets.i run 3 1/2 gal buckets with 9" air diffusers & the root mass is night & day.
So what is the difference between 9" air diffusers and 6" air stones. My research doesnt say much. I have one in each bucket connected to a 700gph air pump. Combined with the 1000gph water pump i have halla water motion.
 
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