is RDWC good for newbies?

I've heard so many good things about this kind of system and that the EC and PH are kept uniform at all times.

Would this type of system be good for someone new to hydroponics like myself or should I start with another system?

First grow? Start in dirt, it's much more forgiving than hydro.

Good luck

Hugo Phurst said:

First grow? Start in dirt, it's much more forgiving than hydro.

Good luck

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I do grow in soil but wanted to give hydroponics a try.

farangar said:

I've heard so many good things about this kind of system and that the EC and PH are kept uniform at all times.

Would this type of system be good for someone new to hydroponics like myself or should I start with another system?

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It’s doable but you need to understand EC feeding strength and reservoir monitoring.

for example.

if you set the reservoir at EC1.0 and pH5.8.

then you test it after it’s run for 24 hours and your EC is now

1.4EC and pH 5.2

Do you know what’s happening to make it return this way?

or oppositely

Set EC 1.0 pH5.8

after 24H it returns as
EC0.6 pH 6.5

What’s happening in each of these scenarios?

farangar said:

I've heard so many good things about this kind of system and that the EC and PH are kept uniform at all times.

Would this type of system be good for someone new to hydroponics like myself or should I start with another system?

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DWC is probably the least forgiving hydro method. Things can turn for the worse very quickly. I'd suggest coco in fabric pots, you don't have the same watering concerns as soil and you'll still reap the benefits of growing hydroponically.

Billy the Mountain said:

DWC is probably the least forgiving hydro method. Things can turn for the worse very quickly. I'd suggest coco in fabric pots, you don't have the same watering concerns as soil and you'll still reap the benefits of growing hydroponically.

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+1 for coco I had a stint using full hydro for a little while but after getting busted returned to coco.

been coco growing since 2009 with a brief 2 years or so with full hydro.

Now I automate drip feeds in DTW coco for simplicity and ease of use for me.

This is 2 plants in a Scrog 1m x 0.8m under 400w HPS.
Day 67 of 12/12.

5x feeds per day

jondamon said:

+1 for coco I had a stint using full hydro for a little while but after getting busted returned to coco.

been coco growing since 2009 with a brief 2 years or so with full hydro.

Now I automate drip feeds in DTW coco for simplicity and ease of use for me.

This is 2 plants in a Scrog 1m x 0.8m under 400w HPS.
Day 67 of 12/12.

5x feeds per day
View attachment 4953865View attachment 4953866View attachment 4953867View attachment 4953868View attachment 4953869View attachment 4953870View attachment 4953871

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You got me drooling bro!

Johiem said:

You got me drooling bro!

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I drooled more over this lol.

Adding valve controls and back pressure release lol.

I just started my first grow and I chose RDWC. Technically I did a soil grow nearly 20 years ago one time but that doesn't really count and I'm not sure how those plants survived.

I wouldn't say it's super hard or anything, and rdwc lends itself quite well to being mostly automated. It's definitely easy to run into issues, though.


Here's my progress and setup so far if you're interested.

farangar said:

I've heard so many good things about this kind of system and that the EC and PH are kept uniform at all times.

Would this type of system be good for someone new to hydroponics like myself or should I start with another system?

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I started with hydro and kinda wish I'd never left that path.
It depends on you, probably, more than the actual method you choose. If you have all the right equipment needed, I think it's easier.
(Speaking of substrate-less systems, only water).

Try a simple dwc setup first. Its cheap and easy to build. Works just the same. You could build a dwc with a top off res to reduce daily maintenance

farangar said:

I've heard so many good things about this kind of system and that the EC and PH are kept uniform at all times.

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That's so wrong that I can only guess these same guys came to that conclusion after running an rdwc system for a week with zero plants. Sorry if I sound harsh but I'm only trying to save you from future disappointment. If you want a good newbie hydroponic system, dwc/rdwc should be way down at the bottom of your list just above aeroponics. At the top of your list might be flood/drain, waterfarms, drip systems, and coco (if you consider coco hydroponic).

farangar said:

I've heard so many good things about this kind of system and that the EC and PH are kept uniform at all times.

Would this type of system be good for someone new to hydroponics like myself or should I start with another system?

Click to expand...

I woukd do coco... I've done dwc a few times and coco and rockwool drippers.

Coco is the one for me.... Best of all things imo

Yes RDWC is perfect for newbies. Not DWC. Having a res with water flowing between ea site is so much easier.
Back 25 some od yrs ago my first grow was a home made rdwc. 20 litre totes linked together with 3/4 flex hose a small water and air pump and your off. Didn’t have a clue. Only ph drops and followed what it said on the bottle. Sure I had yellow leaves but plants grew big and harvested about a pound with 6 plants. Now strain is important and also where your growing. Cold bsmt floor is a must.
Anyway back in the day didn’t have internet or anyone to ask so that probably helped. Now a days with internet could easily spin you into a hole lol. Do this don’t do that haha. It’s a fricking weed it grows by it self.

Major Blazer said:

That's so wrong that I can only guess these same guys came to that conclusion after running an rdwc system for a week with zero plants. Sorry if I sound harsh but I'm only trying to save you from future disappointment. If you want a good newbie hydroponic system, dwc/rdwc should be way down at the bottom of your list just above aeroponics. At the top of your list might be flood/drain, waterfarms, drip systems, and coco (if you consider coco hydroponic).

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Technically it is true in that all the plants in a rdwc system receive the same EC/PH. I think what you are referring to is the fact that you need to watch these things like a hawk and make changes based on the plants responses. When things go bad in dwc they go bad fast.

Arkarius said:

Technically it is true in that all the plants in a rdwc system receive the same EC/PH

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I see what I misinterpreted there, you're probably right.

I should have stayed awake during class

I set a friend up not long ago simple 2 5 g buckets back to a res.Now in my city grow stores carry 1 1/4" bulkheads and matching hose so pretty cheap and simple.Anywho,hes always asking questions, I just say leave it alone go golfing haha.Ph is bounces around ,quit dicking with it I say.
Heres a pic from one I had awhile ago.

RDWC is easy... but don't take the "Easy" as not a lot of work. RDWC, there is a design element you will have to deal with. You have to be on top of your readings because a full day of PH above or below the plants range will have a negative impact. Water temps are crucial but with some hydroguard you can deal with warmer water temps. There is obviously more hardware costs when dealing with tubing, bulkheads, pumps, and nutrients but if you like to be more involved with the grow, hydro will be for you.

I started hydro with dwc but have since switched to a drip system in coco/perlite, and currently I recirculate and change out the res every 3 to 4 days. My res is fairly small at 17 gallons, I usually fill with 15 gallons, and right now I add 5 gallons mixed with nutes on day 2 and 3, then feed my tomatoes what’s left on day 4 and start again. Seems to be working. Here’s my current grow with Sour Diesel and Durban Poison.