I've done two previous grows but both were in soil... This time around I'm doing a small (4, 2gallon buckets) DWC grow and was wondering something. I've read some posts and threads about this method and was wondering about changing the water in the buckets...

I'm not running a water farm style, its gonna be a simple bubble stone in bucket deal with no drip tube either, unless you guys think its absolutely required. I have read about some people just leaving the same water in the buckets and adjusting the PH and nute levels and topping with water when needed, then I read about other people changing the res water and nutes every week or so. I'm wondering which method is most user friendly, I have no problem changing buckets every week and adjusting ph and stuff, I just thought that leaving the water in the bucket for extended periods of time would invite more problems than it would be worth.

I've just today put the germinated seeds in peat cubes so I have time to tweak the system before its in use, any feedback would be great, thanks.

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the answer is both. even in a closed off dwc with a tight lid, it is possible for some of the water to evaporate off. which means every couple days you will have to 'top off' the water to keep it at the appropriate level. and you will have to continue to do this. then it is suggested you change your rez at minimum every two weeks. this is to give the plants fresh water and nutrients, as well as protect from any bacterial or material thing (like hydroton dust....which is annoying) that has gotten into the rez over the two weeks.

remember that when water evaporates off, that increases the concentration of nutrients left in the reservoir. which means if you add more nutrients, the level is going to be higher than before. Example: you have a one gallon rez at 500 ppm. for the sake of argument, lets say you forget to top off and now you are down to 1/2 gallon. that means that 1/2 gallon has 500ppm. so lets say you have another gallon at 500ppm that you use to top off the rez. adding that water will INCREASE the ppm a couple hundred ppm past 500ppm (depending on how much more nutrient water you add).

so changing the rez also protects from people burning the crap out of their plants by topping off with nutrient water. less to learn? top off with nutrient-free or low-nutrient water.

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sounds good to me... I'm a little nervous about the DWC cause of the attention I have to give it, afraid of forgetting to check stuff and killing all the plants. I'm sure it takes some getting used to.

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good info...i was wondering the same thing...with what im setting up i havent given myself a good way to drain the system...guess i should be taking it into consideration..

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I'm just going to use an extra bucket to switch them out instead of having to drain, clean, refill and check all that stuff while the lid is sitting around with the plant hanging in the air... I think that will work out best for me anyway.

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When true patriots become labeled as enemies than you can bury my corpse right beside lady liberty's.