DIY Hydroponic DWC / Drip & CFL Indoor Tent Grow

Thought I would document my first hydroponic grow attempt! Feel free to ask any questions, and I would really appreciate any comments or suggestions First I will explain how I went about making the system which is now set up and waiting for my cuttings to root.


Materials used in initial construction:

- 54L heavy duty storage container
- 2x 20cm net pots

- 8.5L/min air pump
- 30cm air stone

- submersible water pump
- 2x max 100L/hr trickler
- 13mm black poly tubing & accessories
- 4mm back poly tubing & accessories

- Hydroton clay pebbles

- 1.2 x 1.2 x 2.0m grow tent
- HYDRO 48 432W (8x 4 foot T5) fluorescent light (6500k globes for grow, 2700k globes for bloom)
- 2x 24hr timer


Assembly:

I modified the net pots as I have seen done elsewhere. I used a sharp hobby knife and it took ages as these net pots are quite large! Apparently this should help the roots from being damaged when hanging over the edges of the net pot opening.


I cut two holes in the storage container lid to accommodate the net pots. I traced the pots and used a pair of tin snips to easily cut through the heavy duty plastic lid.


Because my net pots are so big I decided to use tricklers to water the plants while they are in their early stages. The submersible pump has suction cups on the bottom to hold it in place. I used 13mm poly tubing and a 90 degree adapter to route the water up to two openings I drilled for the trickler water supply tubes. I used super glue to stick the air stone to the bottom of the container. A third hole was drilled for the air supply hose. I used the same black irrigation hosing for the air and water supply. I am using 20 liters of rainwater and plan to keep the PH around 5.8.


After a few days of rinsing and soaking the Hydroton in low PH water I half filled the net pots, leaving room for the Rockwool cube. I connected the tricklers and gave it a test run, everything seems ok!


Here is a photo of the complete tent set up. Container, suspended light with air pump and electrical sitting on top. I plan to cover the lid and hydroton up to the stem to stop light from entering the lower tank.

Plants:

I have taken cuttings from both a Shiva Skunk and White Widow x Northern Lights plant. I was planning to build a second reservoir and share the water between the two to allow for 4 plants, however as it is my first attempt at a hydroponic set up I thought it may be best to keep it simple. In the future I plan to run 8 plants in this tent



My cuttings are 5 days old. I should be able to tell in a few days whether the donor plants are male or female. The Rockwool cubes were pre-soaked in water and Rhizotonic at PH 5.5 and are moist but not too wet. The Rockwool & dome temperature is 25C (77F), humidity 99%. I have been lightly misting the leaves a few times each day. This is my first cutting attempt as I have previously grown from seed, should I trim the lower (2nd) nodes to promote quicker rooting, or just leave as is?

watching this mate, good luck

Nice setup! What is the temp inside your tent when it is closed?

FYI: One mature plant will easily cover a 2 x 2

Also, I am transitioning from top feed using Hydro Halo drip rings (I had excellent results, but a more complex system) to a simple F & D sans rockwool

You can do this by adding an outboard rez and connecting a drain tube

Get a bigger tote, place the net pots on the bottom. Just make sure side walls are tall enough to allow flooding ~ 1/2 way up the net pot.

I use polished ornamental stone from Dollar Store

Since stones are fast draining, I flood every ~ 30 minutes

See my thread for more details