Complete Diy Undercurrent Rdwc Instructions

  • Thread starter heisen
  • Start date
  • Tagged users None
H

heisen

2,626
263
I have been getting alot of questions in PM about my systems and how they are built etc so im gonna put together a complete list of things you will need,
The system that i am building is a 12 bucket but the same principle applies if you want to build a 2 bucket,4,8 etc.
I have changed a few things about the way i do mine that is different than UC and other designs i have seen.Ill be making a few videos and explaining the way i do it and why I do it the way that i do.
Anyone can build these systems as they are not that difficult,I have already done all the leg work and got the system perfected.They are very easy to disassemble and take apart to clean.I use to clean them inside but it just made to much a mess,Now i have it so i can take the 12 apart into 4 sections,take them outside and wash them down and dry them out.
You can clean them inside also if you want.All you will need is a toilet and some water hose.
Here is the list of things you will need,I will make the video in a few parts later and include more details on why i do it the way i do.Any questions I will be happy to answer them.I use 1 and a half inch pipes at the bottom,I use to use 2 inch in the development phase but just didnt see an advantage over the other.

For a 12 bucket you will need the following,
26 - 1 1/2" double slip bulkhead. I order mine from marine Depot.They always send me what i order and i get it in 2 days flat.Price is fair and they have NEVER leaked.
https://www.marinedepot.com/Double_...Plumbing_Parts-FT1151-FIFTBHDS-FT1159-vi.html
I am sure there are others out there but this is the one i use and find them to be fairly priced.

I also use 4 gallon buckets.I use to use 8 but found the extra water served NO purpose for a 3 week veg plant.If you wish to grow bigger plants and do longer veg EZ Store has an 8 and 13 gallon version.You could also use TOTES if you wish and get even bigger.
I just run short turnaround systems for 4x10 scrogs and dont find that i need a 8 gallon bucket.Its to much water and wasted nutrients for flushes,Also it takes more air to keep more water oxygenated so i choose 4 gallons.If you plan on doing less than a 4 week veg 4 gallon buckets are plenty,If you have never ran RDWC and use to dirt DWC is a completely different animal.Plant growth is super vigorous,and you can reach 5 week veg in dirt in 3 weeks with RDWC,

buckets,other places sell these buckets but will kill you on shipping.I like them from uline cause i get a good shipping price.Amazon will jack up the price on shipping buckets.
You will need 13 of these and 13 lids.12 for the plants and 1 for the control bucket or some call it an EPI

https://www.uline.com/Product/Detai...WKeeOFDXFMfwTulbvchoCj9cQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
https://www.uline.com/Product/Detai...WKeeOFDXFMfwTulbvchoCj9cQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Ill have to recheck the exact size hole saws you will need for the holes but i will update when i get back over there later.
 
jumpincactus

jumpincactus

Premium Member
Supporter
11,605
438
I have been getting alot of questions in PM about my systems and how they are built etc so im gonna put together a complete list of things you will need,
The system that i am building is a 12 bucket but the same principle applies if you want to build a 2 bucket,4,8 etc.
I have changed a few things about the way i do mine that is different than UC and other designs i have seen.Ill be making a few videos and explaining the way i do it and why I do it the way that i do.
Anyone can build these systems as they are not that difficult,I have already done all the leg work and got the system perfected.They are very easy to disassemble and take apart to clean.I use to clean them inside but it just made to much a mess,Now i have it so i can take the 12 apart into 4 sections,take them outside and wash them down and dry them out.
You can clean them inside also if you want.All you will need is a toilet and some water hose.
Here is the list of things you will need,I will make the video in a few parts later and include more details on why i do it the way i do.Any questions I will be happy to answer them.I use 1 and a half inch pipes at the bottom,I use to use 2 inch in the development phase but just didnt see an advantage over the other.

For a 12 bucket you will need the following,
26 - 1 1/2" double slip bulkhead. I order mine from marine Depot.They always send me what i order and i get it in 2 days flat.Price is fair and they have NEVER leaked.
https://www.marinedepot.com/Double_...Plumbing_Parts-FT1151-FIFTBHDS-FT1159-vi.html
I am sure there are others out there but this is the one i use and find them to be fairly priced.

I also use 4 gallon buckets.I use to use 8 but found the extra water served NO purpose for a 3 week veg plant.If you wish to grow bigger plants and do longer veg EZ Store has an 8 and 13 gallon version.You could also use TOTES if you wish and get even bigger.
I just run short turnaround systems for 4x10 scrogs and dont find that i need a 8 gallon bucket.Its to much water and wasted nutrients for flushes,Also it takes more air to keep more water oxygenated so i choose 4 gallons.If you plan on doing less than a 4 week veg 4 gallon buckets are plenty,If you have never ran RDWC and use to dirt DWC is a completely different animal.Plant growth is super vigorous,and you can reach 5 week veg in dirt in 3 weeks with RDWC,
Damn dude that was righteous of you to help these guys out. Great post!!!!
buckets,other places sell these buckets but will kill you on shipping.I like them from uline cause i get a good shipping price.Amazon will jack up the price on shipping buckets.
You will need 13 of these and 13 lids.12 for the plants and 1 for the control bucket or some call it an EPI

https://www.uline.com/Product/Detai...WKeeOFDXFMfwTulbvchoCj9cQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
https://www.uline.com/Product/Detai...WKeeOFDXFMfwTulbvchoCj9cQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Ill have to recheck the exact size hole saws you will need for the holes but i will update when i get back over there later.
 
H

heisen

2,626
263
Here are the plumbing parts you will need.This list is for a 12 bucket system,If you wish to build a 4 or an 8 these parts will not change as you will still need all of these on this list.The only thing that changes is the amount of bulkheads and buckets.For an 8 bucket you will need 9 buckets,18 bulkheads,
A 4 bucket for a 4x4 area you will need 5 buckets and 10 bulkheads ETC.


You will need 1 of these in 1 1/2" PVC

Sch 40 tee 5






You will need 4 of these in 1 1/2" SCH 40 PVC
Charlotte Pipe  90 Degree PVC Sch 40 Elbow


You will need 1 of these in 1 1/2" schedule 40,to 3/4 inch.This is a reducing bushing.Its a slip in for the 3/4 inch.Dont get the threaded one.

PVC Sch 40 Bushing



You will need 1 of these,This will be for the return line back to your EPI bucket.Get this in 3/4 inch.Also this is perfect for attaching the water hose to that goes to your epi,Ill get into that later.
LASCO 90 Degree PVC Sch 40 Street Elbow


You will need 2) 10 foot 1 1/2 inch pipes and 1) 3/4 inch 10 foot pipe.
611942039470


You will need 1 of these, 3/4 inch adapter,This is where your hose will screw into that goes to the water pump.Its the same as the street elbow above it just doesnt have the 90 degree turn.
LASCO PVC Sch 40 Adapter


You will need 1 of these for your top off RES,Get this in 1/8 .Its made for 1/4 inch hose line.I just use the black air hose line that pushes in.
Here is the actual part


SharkBite

A rubber washer and this to screw onto the other side.




You will need a can of this,Because the bulkheads are ABS PVC and the PVC is sch 40 you need to use this


And a can of purple primer.You dont have to prime it but i do.


I will update later with a video going over the parts and the first part of putting this all together,
 
Last edited:
WhtChocolate

WhtChocolate

413
93
Here is the first video on drilling the holes in the buckets,setting up and figuring out how many you need.ill have the rest of the videos up tomorrow as I'll have it all built.


HB this is great shit! Very cool that you’re sharing with such detail. Much appreciated. It’s like grow school!!!
 
D

donweed

39
8
This is definitely one of my favourite threads so far :)

Thanks for the videos !
 
H

heisen

2,626
263
After you watch the videos and see how it's all done you will end up with this.

Edit: after I took the pic I realized the other shortest pipe was missing from the pic.there is actually 2) 4" inch,2) 8" inch,and 2) 6 3/4" pipes plus the 10) 12 inch ones.
The only thing you would deduct from the picture if you was running less buckets woukd be the 12 inch ones.you would still need the same amount of the others listed.

20180826 200303
 
Last edited:
D

donweed

39
8
Would it be too much to ask you to measure the amount of space your setup is requiring ?
 
H

heisen

2,626
263
Would it be too much to ask you to measure the amount of space your setup is requiring ?
The scrog is 4 feet by 10 feet.The buckets are about 40 inches apart,But as i explained in the videos you can modify the size if you wish
 
KerDiggz

KerDiggz

8
3
Great tutorial HB! Thats a well thought out system. I'm almost ready to make a UC system and actually was close to DMing you for plans on this system not long ago lol so I'm glad you posted this thread, thanks!

one question, what kind of airstones do you use? and what size?
 
Top Bottom