RDWC Buckets in Canada?

I ended up going with the 8-gallon EZ Stor containers. They're a bit bigger than I'd like, given I have to use RO water, but I feel like the benefits outweigh the potential risks of using 4-gallon containers (I was unable to find black 5-gallon ones anywhere in Canada).

I'm still waiting on some parts to come in over the holidays, but I'll start a build thread if anyone is interested. Also, has anyone tried using adhesive neoprene to insulate buckets/pipes? I think it looks a lot cleaner and should be easier to use than the reflective bubble wrap.

Lockem said:

I ended up going with the 8-gallon EZ Stor containers. They're a bit bigger than I'd like, given I have to use RO water, but I feel like the benefits outweigh the potential risks of using 4-gallon containers (I was unable to find black 5-gallon ones anywhere in Canada).

I'm still waiting on some parts to come in over the holidays, but I'll start a build thread if anyone is interested. Also, has anyone tried using adhesive neoprene to insulate buckets/pipes? I think it looks a lot cleaner and should be easier to use than the reflective bubble wrap.

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I really think you'll find you'd wished you'd used the 4gals after a run. But we'll see!

Airwalker16 said:

I really think you'll find you'd wished you'd used the 4gals after a run. But we'll see!

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My main concern is the roots filling the container and having enough space for the waterfalls to have adequate fall distance. I haven't bought them yet, so maybe I'll go with 4 gallons.

I noticed Jerimedz only uses his 4-gallon system for veg, I assume this is due to root mass problems. I also saw that Heisenbubble uses 4-gallon containers and his root masses end up pushing the net pot up because they fill up.

I really would prefer 4-gallon containers with a 13 gallon EZ Stor res (like jerimedz), but It would suck if it caused problems.

I've got 12 gal totes. I looked at larger totes vs smaller 5 gals but went larger. With the 12 gals bc of the depth the of the net pots, the total liquid in a tote is 6.5 gals. Based on the cost per tote of $6.50 each or a 5 gal square bucket of $5-6 each, and the liquid capacity of the 5 gal was questionable. Also, the more space of the 12 gal for root growth was a huge factor, once I started researching rdwc's (current culture & other DIY'ers) Another factored was "What if I wanted to veg longer than 2 weeks?" (Which I am.) Or if I run a longer flower strain like GMO with 13 weeks, then the roots will be massive and water flow, and oxygen levels would be hindered. Also,,with the larger liquid capacity of the larger totes, it will be easier to maintain my PH and nutes ppm bc of my larger Rez,,,since larger amounts of water are easier to handle than smaller amounts. Just my two cents tho. I'm also using 2 inch pipe as well.

Lockem said:

My main concern is the roots filling the container and having enough space for the waterfalls to have adequate fall distance. I haven't bought them yet, so maybe I'll go with 4 gallons.

I noticed Jerimedz only uses his 4-gallon system for veg, I assume this is due to root mass problems. I also saw that Heisenbubble uses 4-gallon containers and his root masses end up pushing the net pot up because they fill up.

I really would prefer 4-gallon containers with a 13 gallon EZ Stor res (like jerimedz), but It would suck if it caused problems.

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You're in a tent?

Airwalker16 said:

You're in a tent?

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Yes, it's 4.4' x 4.4'

I had a new idea for the grow site buckets.

What do you think about each grow site consisting of two 4-Gallon buckets stacked one inside the other? The top bucket would have the top feed line and holes drilled in the bottom to allow for drainage and deter roots from clogging the bulkheads that would be piped to the lower bucket?

Lockem said:

Yes, it's 4.4' x 4.4'

I had a new idea for the grow site buckets.

What do you think about each grow site consisting of two 4-Gallon buckets stacked one inside the other? The top bucket would have the top feed line and holes drilled in the bottom to allow for drainage and deter roots from clogging the bulkheads that would be piped to the lower bucket?

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Itd work, but I think you're over thinking the whole root clogging issue. If it's a 4X4 for 4 plants, they're not getting big enough to clog anything.
Plus, I don't know if the stacking would leave enough room for the bulkhead nut. It's 3"+ on a 2" bulkhead.

rkymtnman said:

All this arguing and after all this time I thought Canada was a developed nation. How hard is it to find a square bucket up there?

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No kidding, eh? And in the whole time, no one mentioned any good mouth seals, lol.

etownpaul said:

I used regular round 5 gallon buckets and brought my drain off the bottom with shower drain fittings. I had to frame up a base out of wood to hold them off the ground but it works well. I also ran 1/2" bulkheads right at the bottom of my net pot height for waterfalls. I use top hats, which are net pots pre formed into a round 5 gallon bucket lid that I got from my hydro store.

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Did your roots get clogged up?

Kingboggaloo said:

Did your roots get clogged up?

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I had non stop root rot issues. I took my plants out of the rdwc system and planted them in an organic soil and managed to save them. I have been growing organic ever since.

Dude ya gotta chill with being worried about clogging roots lol...

I've been running 10-site systems based off of Heisen's build plans... I'm in Canada and had no issues sourcing anything. U-line has the buckets as posted prior.

If your worried about root clogging then look into it, don't try to re-invent the wheel. Current Culture even states on their website that you need to root prune. I didn't do this my first round and I had 6' plants in 4 gallons. Yeah the buckets were full of roots and some roots were in the connecting pipes, but the system isn't going to overflow. My lids sure af didn't "pop up" or anything...

Just throw a quarter turn valve onto your discharge line into your epi so you can throttle the flow or run a smaller sized pump.

Prune your roots prior to flip or as late as possible if your using scrog nets. You'll get lateral growth versus length. I run 1.5" bulkheads, but use 2" if you want, just more expensive. My buddy made a 4 site system for his tent that uses 8 gallon buckets for even more room.

You also want to run sterile not bene's. IDK how many posts I've done lately on people having root issues and they use benes of some sort that are x100 the cost of DIY Uc Roots. A 5 gallon of Sodium Hypochlorite costs me $18 CAD and will last beyond my lifetime.

IMO there is no need for waterfalls as I prefer undercurrent, but to each their own. You get more than enough dissolved oxygen added with the air stones, and have less bullshit to worry about. Also make sure to add in a form of secondary containment for peace of mind. I do it in all my setups.