RDWC vs Single Site RDWC

I'd like to hear some pros and cons of the standard RDWC setup, e.g., four separate site 5 gallon buckets, vs having a RDWC system with one huge bucket, e.g., large 40 gallon bucket, with multiple net pots. Circulate the water into the 20 gallon bucket back into a res...

doniboy said:

I'd like to hear some pros and cons of the standard RDWC setup, e.g., four separate site 5 gallon buckets, vs having a RDWC system with one huge bucket, e.g., large 40 gallon bucket, with multiple net pots. Circulate the water into the 20 gallon bucket back into a res...

Click to expand...

Neither of those. You want 4-8 sites at 5-20gals connected at the lowest point with 2-3" bulkheads. And a nice waterfall manifold to pump to each of them from a reservoir which is usually outside of a tent or at least accessible and a bit away from the canopy area footprint.

My take is that if you're running a set of clones then RDWC is the winner. If you run multiple strains then DWC is better.
I agree with Air, I would stay away from buckets and use totes/net lids instead. 7-10 gal totes for singles and 17-25 gal for RDWC. Also second the waterfalls.

GBAUTO said:

My take is that if you're running a set of clones then RDWC is the winner. If you run multiple strains then DWC is better.
I agree with Air, I would stay away from buckets and use totes/net lids instead. 7-10 gal totes for singles and 17-25 gal for RDWC. Also second the waterfalls.

Click to expand...

Multi strains is totally fine. They take what nutes they need.

Airwalker16 said:

Neither of those. You want 4-8 sites at 5-20gals connected at the lowest point with 2-3" bulkheads. And a nice waterfall manifold to pump to each of them from a reservoir which is usually outside of a tent or at least accessible and a bit away from the canopy area footprint.

Click to expand...

I know what the standard setup is. I'm wanting to hear and brainstorm the merits of having a RDWC system with 1 site instead of a 4-8 site set-up. This could be ran with a waterfall and res outside the tent as well, so that's not something I'm taking into account at the moment.

The only down side I can think of is the possibility of one plant dying and the roots being stuck together. Other than that, it seems like a simpler system to both manage and control vs the standard RDWC setup.

Try this one

Airwalker16 said:

Multi strains is totally fine. They take what nutes they need.

Click to expand...

always a compromise on a common rez

The most major difference between a multi container RDWC vs a single tub multi dwc would be space. You can spread out multiple plants better over a larger area, and grow bigger bushes. Honestly you're better off with a single tote with multiple net pots in a smaller area like a 4x4 or even 5x5 or less, doesn't make much sense to add multiple buckets, bulkheads and plumbing, unless your just adding a remote control res outside of a tent. They make plenty of larger plastic totes and bins that work fine, and are easier to keep clean and sterile. Hookup a chiller if needed to a large single dwc tub too np.

Drop That Sound said:

The most major difference between a multi container RDWC vs a single tub multi dwc would be space. You can spread out multiple plants better over a larger area, and grow bigger bushes. Honestly you're better off with a single tote with multiple net pots in a smaller area like a 4x4 or even 5x5 or less, doesn't make much sense to add multiple buckets, bulkheads and plumbing, unless your just adding a remote control res outside of a tent. They make plenty of larger plastic totes and bins that work fine, and are easier to keep clean and sterile. Hookup a chiller if needed to a large single dwc tub too np.

Click to expand...

Yea that's what I'm thinking. Doesn't make much sense to add multiple buckets and plumbing for a 4x4 space. A multiple site RDWC will be using the same nutes, etc anyway. Using a large container to accommodate the plants makes the most sense, and waste space and money, and simplifies the process. The only downside is the roots being ranged and not being able to separate out a problematic plant.

My plan is one large 3x3-ish container inside the tent with the res and cooler outside the tent. I can save hundreds from not having to buy 15-25 each bulkheads, several air stones, piping, etc. Draining will be easier and there will be less points of failure plumbing wise.

I've grown with soil and coco, but this will be my first dwc grow. I want to keep it simple.

I know how to save those 100s by making complete DIY RDWC systems from scratch too, but still going with single tub as the better option. More than one grow area I would consider plumbing them, to speed up your chores. I do it anyway because I have fun designing and building systems. If you do decide to make one lemme know. How does $2.50 or less a piece for a complete 2 inch bulkhead sound?

Drop That Sound said:

I know how to save those 100s by making complete DIY RDWC systems from scratch too, but still going with single tub as the better option. More than one grow area I would consider plumbing them, to speed up your chores. I do it anyway because I have fun designing and building systems. If you do decide to make one lemme know. How does $2.50 or less a piece for a complete 2 inch bulkhead sound?

Click to expand...

That's what 8 was thinking too! On 2_ at least!

Drop That Sound said:

I know how to save those 100s by making complete DIY RDWC systems from scratch too, but still going with single tub as the better option. More than one grow area I would consider plumbing them, to speed up your chores. I do it anyway because I have fun designing and building systems. If you do decide to make one lemme know. How does $2.50 or less a piece for a complete 2 inch bulkhead sound?

Click to expand...

Where you getting 2" bulkheads for $ 2.50?

2" DIY Bulkhead:

1x 2" Male PVC electrical conduit terminal adapter. $1.50 (noticed the price went up but still roughly a dollar if you buy a case/bulk)
1x 2" Female PVC electrical adapter. ^Same cost as male fittings usually.
1x 331 size O-ring, your choice of material. Buy bulk packs on amazon, as low as 20-30 cents a piece Can get neoprene, silicone, buna-n, EPDM, etc



Also can make 1, 1-1/4, 1-1/2, and even 3 or more inches. Price varies on size, but still super cheap. I been making them like this for years now, never have leaks. Work best on a flat surface.

Ahhhh nice !!!

Damn! Looks great!!

Also, lowes carries black 5 gallon square buckets now for 5.99! Ad 2 DIY bulkheads for 4-5 more bucks, and a net pot.. and your looking at around $12-15 per site! Toss in a cheap ecoplus 396 pump, a y strainer, another control bucket, air pump, some 2 inch pvc, and you can slap a killer system together pretty easily.

beercan said:

Where you getting 2" bulkheads for $ 2.50?

Click to expand...

I just looked them up. They are "terminal adapters" (whatever those are), and are designed for use in electrical purposes. I'll look into them. Thanks @Drop That Sound

Have you leak tested these "terminal adapters"? unseals work very well if you use the right tools for a tight fit.

Drop That Sound said:

View attachment 4531324
View attachment 4531325
View attachment 4531327




2" DIY Bulkhead:

1x 2" Male PVC electrical conduit terminal adapter. $1.50 (noticed the price went up but still roughly a dollar if you buy a case/bulk)
1x 2" Female PVC electrical adapter. ^Same cost as male fittings usually.
1x 331 size O-ring, your choice of material. Buy bulk packs on amazon, as low as 20-30 cents a piece Can get neoprene, silicone, buna-n, EPDM, etc



Also can make 1, 1-1/4, 1-1/2, and even 3 or more inches. Price varies on size, but still super cheap. I been making them like this for years now, never have leaks. Work best on a flat surface.

Click to expand...

have you ever measured the flange difference b/t these and a bulkhead? they look like they do the job but with zero margin of error. even a uniseal looks like it has more contact area than those. or does it just look that way from your pics?