Set up first dwc any advice?

Sparadical

Well-Known Member

• Jul 6, 2015

• #1

Hi all,

So a little about me, I have grown before always outside or on window sills etc but never under lights, I really want to get a dwc setup on the go. If I write here exactly what I have and how I intend to set it up I was hoping some of you with more experience can advise me on what else I need and how I can produce a better plant, so here goes...

Lighting: 2x t5 fluval daylight bulbs 15000 lumens 39w.

2x cfl's 29w 1450 lumens.

Medium: perlite (fine not rocky)

Nutes: canna hydro Flores a and b

3 gal bucket and nest lid

Air pump and bubblers.

My space is only about 3x3x3 so probably will scrog.

Only thing I'm not 100% on is the perlite is so fine it will fall through the nest can I fine mesh it or will this end up damaging the roots?

Also I haven't decided on a strain yet so advice is welcomed!

All the best and thank you

 

Sparadical

Well-Known Member

• Jul 6, 2015

• #2

Ok so I just checked my bucket and its 12 litres (2.5gallons) I think I'm gonna struggle with that size to keep it stable? Anyone else used this small a res?

 

rkymtnman

Well-Known Member

• Jul 6, 2015

• #3

i'd go with hydroton vs perlite. won't fall thru netpot. and 2.5 gal is too small in my opinion. when they are really growing fast, you might have to add water 2x day and it will be harder to keep pH stable too.

 

Sparadical

Well-Known Member

• Jul 6, 2015

• #4

Thanks man I thought that may be the case so I ordered a 5 gal and some hydroton anything else I should worry about setting up wise? Or seed suggestions I have a limited space? Thanks again!

 

rkymtnman

Well-Known Member

• Jul 6, 2015

• #5

indicas would stay shorter and bushier. with 3 ft high, you almost have to scrog.

the only other thing i would suggest is something to prevent root rot. there are 2 ways in dwc: sterile res or beneficial bacteria. i always went sterile. i used and still use dutchmaster zone. you mix it up depending on the temps in your res. light, medium, strong.

 

Sparadical

Well-Known Member

• Jul 6, 2015

• #6

Awesome I shall look it up and get some thanks again!

 

rkymtnman

Well-Known Member

• Jul 6, 2015

• #7

one more thing: pH is critical in dwc. i let mine fluctuate between 5.5 and 6.1 with 5.8 being the sweet spot.

 

Sparadical

Well-Known Member

• Jul 7, 2015

• #8

Thanks again, I have a few aquariums so have 2/3 master kits they should suffice testing everything until I can afford a digital set! I've managed to get a 900w hps and ballast for £35 (great deal imo) should I bother with my t5's as well?

 

Sparadical

Well-Known Member

• Jul 7, 2015

• #9

Also I'm thinking one of these 2 strains, anyone have experience scrogging either? I'm not too fussed on yield this is a small grow and all smoke will be just for me, I suffer from chronic back pain and been on strong meds for over 5 years and nothing but weed can truly take the pain away, this is my way too kick the tablets and avoid a stomac ulser!

 

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rkymtnman

Well-Known Member

• Jul 7, 2015

• #10

Sparadical said:

Thanks again, I have a few aquariums so have 2/3 master kits they should suffice testing everything until I can afford a digital set! I've managed to get a 900w hps and ballast for £35 (great deal imo) should I bother with my t5's as well?

Click to expand...

i'd use the t5's for starting seeds and early veg. then switch over to HPS.
can't help on those strains. never grew either one. i'm sure they're both really good though.

 

Sparadical

Well-Known Member

• Jul 7, 2015

• #11

Awesome, thanks for all your help so far I'll start a journal once I've got everything together and start germinating!

 

rkymtnman

Well-Known Member

• Jul 7, 2015

• #12

no problem! dwc is fun just because of how fast they grow. but things can go wrong very quickly so you have to keep on top of it. whenever i saw a problem, i would dump my res and just give them pH'd plain water for 24hrs.

when they are first starting out, i would take some of the res water and feed them from the top of the netpot. once the roots are long enough to hit the water, watch out! they start growing like crazy.