DWC with linked buckets

I've been running single 5 gal DWC buckets. I was wondering if I could get away with just linking the buckets together without running a recirculating pump. Just to make it easier to check Ph/PPM/drain/fill without having to go in to each bucket separately. Anyone done this and if so did it caused problems? My water sits at 71 and I don't want the added heat from a pump running 24/7 so recirculating is not for me. Thanks

Would be much more work if linked.

superstoner1 said:

Would be much more work if linked.

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How is it more work? Your answer has nothing behind it... I am currently running gravity control buckets, and I think its a breeze as long as each has its own flow control valve....

BenRipped said:

I've been running single 5 gal DWC buckets. I was wondering if I could get away with just linking the buckets together without running a recirculating pump. Just to make it easier to check Ph/PPM/drain/fill without having to go in to each bucket separately. Anyone done this and if so did it caused problems? My water sits at 71 and I don't want the added heat from a pump running 24/7 so recirculating is not for me. Thanks

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Hello..

I have always had my buckets linked together with one control bucket that is gravity feed to keep the same water level in all buckets. And I plumbed in a small pump near the control bucket for pumping the system out and then let gravity refill the buckets.

It has worked very good for me for years now, and it is way less work just changing water and nutes just once a week. I use a 55 gallon drum for my system that will last for 6 or seven days when plants are in full bloom. That way I can leave the house for three or four days at a time if I need to. Good luck.

Id think as long as your plumbing was done right and it stays leak free it would be a lot less
work
Ive ran separate buckets and it is a pain in the ass for changing nutes.
But I also read that if it's the same system linked you can't dial in the nutes for individual plants
But if your running the same strain then a linked system would be the way to go

ILM said:

Id think as long as your plumbing was done right and it stays leak free it would be a lot less
work
Ive ran separate buckets and it is a pain in the ass for changing nutes.
But I also read that if it's the same system linked you can't dial in the nutes for individual plants
But if your running the same strain then a linked system would be the way to go

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Hello..

I have done two strains with success but I try to stick with one strain so the lights all go up together otherwise it could be a pain in the ass.

Chilling your RDWC doesn't need to be difficult; even a water to water heat exchange coil supplied with cold incoming tapwater could work fine, provided your tapwater is cold enough.

$275 and youve got complete control,one of the best investments in my gro..many worries allieviated,and a more precise grow..
using an external pump would end your reservations..you could make a quasi resivoir and just have a pump in a bucket with an intake hose and out take hose in respective places on your system..added movement increases oxygen flow and nute uptake..i suggest taking the plunge

nitro harley said:

Hello..

I have always had my buckets linked together with one control bucket that is gravity feed to keep the same water level in all buckets. And I plumbed in a small pump near the control bucket for pumping the system out and then let gravity refill the buckets.

It has worked very good for me for years now, and it is way less work just changing water and nutes just once a week. I use a 55 gallon drum for my system that will last for 6 or seven days when plants are in full bloom. That way I can leave the house for three or four days at a time if I need to. Good luck.

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Do you have any DIY instructions with photos on how to link the buckets. And if I were to use a 55 gallon drum as my reservoir, woul I be able to keep it outside of the tent. Thanks!

RavenSimone said:

Do you have any DIY instructions with photos on how to link the buckets. And if I were to use a 55 gallon drum as my reservoir, woul I be able to keep it outside of the tent. Thanks!

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Hello.. RavenSimone.

I have my 55 gal drum out side my tent on top of a small table that is up just high enough for gravity to feed the control bucket. The control bucket is just inside the tent near the 55 gal drum, and it has a black lid to keep the light out. Then I put a tee fitting out the bottom of the control bucket that way you could plumb a little pump on one end and the other end goes the feed all your buckets. All you have to do is adjust your float in the control bucket to set your water level for all six buckets.

And if you want to pump it out , you just plug in the pump and let it pump out. There is about an inch left in the buckets so sometimes I flush with fresh water and pump it out some more.

I can't seem to access my old photos right now, and I have my system shut down right at the moment . I will try to find a pic...

Here are some photos of my buckets and you will see the little pump for pumping out in one photo. the control bucket is hidden in the conner where the cool air comes into the tent, it help keep the control bucket cool. hope that helps. here is the link.

https://www.rollitup.org/t/nitros-bubble-grow.562366/

nitro harley said:

Here are some photos of my buckets and you will see the little pump for pumping out in one photo. the control bucket is hidden in the conner where the cool air comes into the tent, it help keep the control bucket cool. hope that helps. here is the link.

https://www.rollitup.org/t/nitros-bubble-grow.562366/

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Thanks after looking at your grow, it gave me a few more questions.
1. Tent is 3x3x4 made with pvc. Is 4 ft. high good during veg? I think I want to swap to 5 ft. high for flower.
2. With a 400w HPS, do you think it would be better to do a 2 bucket scrog or stick with 4 buckets?
3. Thanks for the help.

I have a friend that has a 4x4x7 tent and he does 4 buckets with one 1000w hps. And he has great success . If you can rise the height it would help the most because you could veg longer and end up with much more product imo

nitro harley said:

I have a friend that has a 4x4x7 tent and he does 4 buckets with one 1000w hps. And he has great success . If you can rise the height it would help the most because you could veg longer and end up with much more product imo

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Your Replies and help are greatly appreciated. Advice will be taken. I can get my hand on a 600x hps in the next couple of weeks. And raising to 7 ft. is only I home depot trip away!