DWC with Foam Rafts in 5 gallon buckets?
- Thread starter Michael Huntherz
- Start date
Michael Huntherz
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I have some relatively huge pots that would work as SIPS, I have some rubbermaid blanket boxes with drains in one end, I could run sumps back to the top and it would recycle, but that’s two flood tables, I would definitely need to buy a proper one to feel happy about it. Probably something I should consider
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rkymtnman
Well-Known Member
18" pipe and huge trees instead of 4" pipe and small plants.
but i get what you are saying.
Michael Huntherz
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2” thick dow blue board, cut to fit fairly tightly, with a pvc guidepost running through a hole in the raft and two pvc supports 2/5ths of the bucket height up from the bottom so the raft doesn’t sink too far during draining, the supports and guides can be put in place with a wall flange and some silicone 2+. I plan to cap or plug the guidepost and support tubes after filling them with play sand. I think it will work...I’m just not sure if it will be low maintenance enough to justify the setup or what unknown challenges I might face.
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Michael Huntherz
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I am doing it for fun and trying to improve performance at the same time. It would be interesting to find new systems that work well, but I am just playing around, really. I have run a fair bit of soil and coco media, time to try some full on hydro.
Rockwool and gravity fed drippers might be a great answer, too, I just don’t like all the media waste, and it is a logistical challenge to safely dispose of it.
HydroRed
Well-Known Member
I hear that. I just recently started reusing my hydroton. The time I spend re-rinsing the used hydroton is equal to the initial rinse of new hydroton. I always felt like a dick when tossing 20 lbs of the stuff in the garbage every 8 wks.
ttystikk
Well-Known Member
The whole reason I use it is because I don't have to throw it away.
Michael Huntherz
Well-Known Member
I don’t have an easy way of disposing of anything, though if they were to the point of investigating my garbage I would probably be fucked anyway.
I understand being wasteful, and feeling it. We threw away large numbers of empty aquafina bottles for many years, gf wouldn’t drink anything else. The RO machine was one of the smartest things I ever bought. I don’t usually use it for the plants or fish tanks any more, but the drinking water is a boon.
I pulled the trigger on basic supplies for doing traditional DWC in these buckets for now, only thing left is to grab some media. If I decide to go with the raft method down the road, I can do that with some minor modifications.
I would love to find something to break down root material quickly. Muriatic acid would do it, but that shit is dangerous, hoping to avoid that, if possible.
rkymtnman
Well-Known Member
harbor freight electric chipper/shredder. pretty cheap. mix up dried roots with yard material and done.
Michael Huntherz
Well-Known Member
I like it! My friend is an arborist with a chipper truck, but he won’t let me use it for this, hahaha, buying my own cheap one is a solid plan. Thanks, dude!
ttystikk
Well-Known Member
Or just chop the roots up a bit while they're still soft and throw in a company heap with yard waste and lawn clippings.
Michael Huntherz
Well-Known Member
We do have curbside compost service these days, too. Roots are the least problem, a chipper would allow me to shred the dry stems and mix those with yard waste and lawn clippings, and I think I like that plan.
rkymtnman
Well-Known Member
and if any neighborhood cats start to bother you, well, i'll let you figure out the rest. lol.
Michael Huntherz
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I love the little kitties tho, they don’t bother me. Squirrels, on the other hand...
rkymtnman
Well-Known Member
i'm with ya. chipmunks are the bane of my existence here. they've eaten thru air filters, spark plug wires, the liner on the hood of the car, etc. little basterds...
Michael Huntherz
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HydroRed
Well-Known Member
You running independent or with a master res?I am getting started with all this hydro shit
Trash Pandas, too.
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Michael Huntherz
Well-Known Member
Starting independent with options for a head and tail reservoir system down the road.
Michael Huntherz
Well-Known Member
In fact I just realized all I need is tubing, two buckets and one more lid! Everything else will be here Monday, or I already have it.
I already have a couple of sumps, one for the return to the top and one for fill and drain operations.
I guess I am doing RDWC next run!