Questions on my DWC build.

2 - 12 Gallon HDX totes from Home Depot
1 - plant per tote
3" net pots
Hydroton
1 - 4" cylinder air stone per tote
Eco+ air pump https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004LOZW3Q/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

I plan on doing rez changes once per week. I do not plan on using 5 gallon buckets.
Should I go with the 17 gal totes for a more constant Ph or will the 12 gal work ok?
Is there a better medium then Hydroton? I do not have any hydro stores in my area so I would have to order it online.
Will this air pump work ok or should I get the GH pump instead?
I know smaller net pots have been used in these totes I am sure, but, would a bigger one be better?

12 gal would be fine. i'd go with slightly bigger netpots. i like the 5" heavy duty if you can find them. hydroton is great. wash it many times first. i'd have at least 2 stones per tote. and buy a spare airpump.

Thanks for the advice. Do you think that eco+ should run 4 - 4" stones or should I go with 2" cylinder stones?

i'd go even bigger on the stones. i like the cheap o ones at walmart. 12" ones. just chuck them after each grow.

Awesome, I may be overthinking, which I always do. I was not sure if those 12" ones were micropore or not. Now this is the reason I posted this thread. Too much googlefoo and overthinking.

Precaution said:

Awesome, I may be overthinking, which I always do. I was not sure if those 12" ones were micropore or not. Now this is the reason I posted this thread. Too much googlefoo and overthinking.

Click to expand...

if you want to skip those, put a small waterpump, some tubing, some elbows and make a waterfall in each tote.

waterfalls create way more DO than stones and they keep your nutes well mixed too.

I like your totes, your air pump is fine, I don't notice any difference in the size of stones. I seem to get the same amount of air out of small ones or big ones. I buy the cheapest. I used 5 gal buckets forever. I now use 18 gal totes and think they may be a little overkill. I was thinking of going 12 gal but didn't find any yet in my area. I may switch to 12's. I agree on bigger net pots, I like 6 inch pots. I like grow rocks better than hydroton. Now I mix them 50/50 rocks and hydrton. I'd say you have a good plan. Just use common nutes and you should have smooth sailing.

I have thought about Flooming but I am worried about my water temp from the waterpump. I guess I could try one of each since I am doing 2 totes anyway.
I will look more into the growstones. I actually was thinking of just getting the 6" net pots that fit the 5 gal buckets. I have to go measure the lids on the totes first tho.

Do you think the 158 GPH fountain pump will be ok for the waterfall in the 12 gal tote?

Go bigger on the water pump i have a similar set up almost identical and i will be going up in water pump size next round also try to go with a magnetic drive pump. You will also want some kind of way to access your your totes so cut some kind of access hole or you will play hell on water changes.

Peace and respect
Maxamus1