DWC bucket sizing for the space

[spase]

I'm thinking of going with a deep water culture. I've got a 3x4x6.5 for room. My first question is what size containers I should use? The 3.5 gallon gives me more space to grow upwards, but are the smaller containers going to allow the plants to get a big as the space? I'm going for 4 plants in the space.

 

[ajpapenfuss]

I have 4 5 gallon buckets in a 4x8 I'm 3 weeks from harvest and add close to 1 1/2 gallons every day I start them in 3 gallon and move to 5

 

[delps8]

I'm thinking of going with a deep water culture. I've got a 3x4x6.5 for room. My first question is what size containers I should use? The 3.5 gallon gives me more space to grow upwards, but are the smaller containers going to allow the plants to get a big as the space? I'm going for 4 plants in the space.

A larger bucket has more room for roots and there's also the fact that the larger bucket will be far more stable than a smaller bucket in terms of in terms of pH and EC changes. A larger bucket will also mean that you don't have to top off as often.

A three gallon bucket ≠ 3 gallons of nutes. If roots are ½ gallon and if the water level is ½" below the bottom of the net pot, you've only got ~ 2 gallons of nutrients. A cannabis plant in flower will take up a gallon per day so you're going to have to refill the bucket every day and you will tend to get more rapid pH and EC changes. If you go to a 5 gallon bucket, that two gallons more of nutes means that you've got double the nutrient solution that you have in a 3 gallon bucket. That's a huge win.

Between 3 and 5 gallon buckets, go with a 5, hands down. You will make your life easier if you go to a 7 or 8 gallon size.

I have no affiliation with these folks but, if I was buying a new hydro system, I'd buy from them (I did place an order for a 2 bucket 13 gallon system but I had to cancel the order, unfortunately).

 

[ajpapenfuss]

Cheaper just to build your own 3 gallon or 5 gallon that's just a bucket with an air stone in it wrap it with some silver insulation to keep the light out and the water cool

 

[spase]

Thank you for the responses. I'll probably make my own. I can hopefully find short wide containers to get a good 4 plus gallons of nutes and keep some height.

 

[delps8]

Thank you for the responses. I'll probably make my own. I can hopefully find short wide containers to get a good 4 plus gallons of nutes and keep some height.

A lot of growers DIY with Rubbermaid totes.
Best of luck with your project!

 

[ajpapenfuss]

I like to start mine in 3 gallon then move to 5 gallon