diy undercurrent?

[ucsean]

where would i start to build my own 6 bucket uc system. home depot? what size pvc? pipes length? would basic 5 gallon buckets be efficent enough? what size pumps? rough estimate of total cost? any info would help thank you.

 

[aSilvrHaze]

Go to lowes and get the grey buckets, there light proof. With six buckets, I'd go with about a 350-500 gph pump. 2" pvc. Length of pipe is more up to you and you're workable space/ available light. Don't have a very good estimate of cost, but I will say roughly $200.

 

[ucsean]

Is there anything else that would be helpful that i should know?

 

[Texas Kid]

Read the DIY threads on UC's there are a ton, all your questions will be answered

Tex

 

[ttystikk]

I scrounged 5 gallon buckets from local restaurants cuz I didn't have cash for new ones. I then painted them with paint from a local thrift store. I drilled holes in the sides for 1" bulkheads, and used 1" inside diameter line to hook them together. I use a control bucket with a float valve ($35 at the local farm and ranch place, bet you can do better with a smaller one) connected to a 55 gallon drum reservoir, also sourced free. There are no nutes in my res. water, just straight water, RO and pH balanced if necessary. I also use a tail bucket where the waterpump goes. for only 6 buckets, a 250 gph pump is more than sufficient, run the hose straight into the control bucket, above the waterline for better mixing and aeration. For a 6 bucket system, I'd do a 2 x 3 setup, on whatever centers you like. Run two lines from head bucket to first two plant sites. Run last two lines to tail bucket. Run the pump constantly, I tried a pump switch and it's worthless. Pour nutes, H2O2, etc into the tail bucket so they can mix and dilute better before the roots see them. Use a 50-70 liter/min airpump and put 2" airstones in each site. CHILL IT to 65 degrees, no excuses here. I tried not to and it's a losing battle. I spent less than $250 on a 24 site system built this way... and then I did it again! Sorry, Brittney...