Hey all, this is my first post here. I've been looking around on these forums for a while, and have learned alot of information. What I'm trying to do is set up an Under Current style RDWC, as mentioned above. This would be my first grow, however I'm trying to absorb as much information as possible to make this work. What I plan on using.
(4)5 Gallon square buckets
(1)? Gallon reservoir
2" pvc
water pump
air stones and pump
1000w HPS, (will also use supplemental LED)
200 cfm fan with carbon filter
oscillating fan
I'm not a craftsman whatsoever so the job is a little intimidating to me. If anyone had any input, comments, or suggestions. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!
You're going to be getting in over your head.
Don't take anything I say as bad criticism, as my aim is to help you be successful with your grow. Something I always look at when someone asks about how to grow via RDWC/UC, is whether or not that person has the ability to build their own system from scratch, whether they actually build it themselves or not. Just because you buy a turn key system doesn't mean you'll automatically be able to make it through a grow. Kind of like if someone buys a car without knowing how to drive. The car certainly has the ability to be driven properly, but only by someone with some experience. You mentioned that you've done research, yet you're still asking the basic question of how to operate a DWC. That tells me that you're not fully understanding what you're researching, which is the case with a lot of people when it comes to growing in hydro. Along the way you're going to have to be able to research problems and come up with quick solutions, because things can go bad really fast in hydro. You'll be overwhelmed, because you're also going to be learning how to actually grow your plants, which is going to keep you so busy the first couple of grows, that adding another layer of complexity will certainly create larger issues.
For your first few grows, grow in soil. Practice growing and problem solving. Trust me, you'll still yield a good amount of bud. In fact, you could very possibly get more if growing in soil at this point, because plant problems have a lot to do with how well plants will produce. A soil grow will outdo a hydro grow with issues.
1000w is too much for you right now. They cause a ton of issues that have to be worked around in order to run one in a confined space. You absolutely should start with a 600w. Again, you'll get plenty of bud from a 600w. You don't need supplimental LED lights. Just go with a 600w, and then after a couple grows, determine whether or not more light is needed. Even if more light is needed, you might benefit more from putting some CFLs in there to help cover the corners of the tent. They are so much less expensive and work great!
A 200cfm fan is way underpowered for even a 600w, much less a 1k. You want a 6" inline fan with a cfm rating above 400 to properly vent an HID bulb. You'll also want some more than one circulation fan. I use four in my 4x4 tent, not that you have to have than many. But more fans provide benefits.
Again, just do a soil grow. Get some root bags, not planter pots as they work way better. Get some premixed ready potting soil. Don't worry about mixing anything with it. Take a look at the list of things you
should be using. This will be a great place for you to start off with.
6-inch fan, filter, controller combo - $149.99
600w ballast, lights, hood combo - $159.99
Common 6-inch clip-on fan - $14.98 (get at least 2 of them)
5-gallon root bags (set of 5) - $10.50
4x4 Grow Tent - $89.99
GH Floro nutrients - $29.50
pH Up, Down, and strips - $15.77
There are little things you'll get along the way, but that should pretty much cover all your needs. You can always go hydro in the future, and use everything you already have, with the exception of the root bags.
If you want to do some more research into UnderCurrent, check out my Grow Room link below. Tons of good info from many experienced growers.
Hope that helps
