How to DIY UC

mrconfident714 · Jun 19, 2011

Has there been a thread on how to make your own UC Buckets? I see alot of people here using DIY UC systems but none of the ones I've seen go into details as to how to put one of these systems together.

Can someone point me into the right direction? I don't really care about the size of the setup, I'd just like to get more detail so that I can piece a system together for myself.

motherlode · Jun 19, 2011

heres one

heres another - he used bulkheads instead of uniseals and brute tubs

Id save myself the grief and buy one though honestly if thats where your headed

mrconfident714 · Jun 19, 2011

Thanks for the links. Those are exactly what I am looking for....Does seem to be troublesome...haha

I'll be looking into cost, and weighting my pros and cons. I think the current culture UC system is great, just not their price.

Unit541 · Jun 20, 2011

The UC is not a system you can really save a whole lot on by building yourself, especially if you're trying to replicate it as closely as possible. Sky's thread does a great job of illustrating the pros and cons of building your own. The biggest drawback I can think of to building your own, is not having the CC guys on the other end of the line should anything go wrong.

ScrOGer · Jun 21, 2011

Unit541 said:
The UC is not a system you can really save a whole lot on by building yourself, especially if you're trying to replicate it as closely as possible. Sky's thread does a great job of illustrating the pros and cons of building your own. The biggest drawback I can think of to building your own, is not having the CC guys on the other end of the line should anything go wrong.

I disagree with the cost savings against buying the UC systems. I built 3, 10 bucket systems (2 plants per 18 gallon bucket, filled with 10 gallons of nutes each), for the cost of 1 single 8 site UC system. That DIY configuration was 20 plants in each 10 bucket system, under a 4' x 10' screen.

I think the main cost issue are the chillers. They are expensive. I thankfully do not need to chill water on a regular basis, because of my location. When i do, I drop a couple of ice packs into the controller bucket.

The UC buckets, i do not use. I use rubbermaid. I wanted something a bit more flexible and forgiving, than the harden plastic UC buckets. A few farmers i know had some issues with vibration that lead to cracks in the buckets. SO he suspects. both guys walked into their rooms and their floors were flooded.

Anyway. I built a nice size system (150gallon each) and produces super stable growth.

Just my 2cents :)

motherlode · Jun 22, 2011

ScrOGer said:
I disagree with the cost savings against buying the UC systems. I built 3, 10 bucket systems (2 plants per 18 gallon bucket, filled with 10 gallons of nutes each), for the cost of 1 single 8 site UC system. That DIY configuration was 20 plants in each 10 bucket system, under a 4' x 10' screen.

I think the main cost issue are the chillers. They are expensive. I thankfully do not need to chill water on a regular basis, because of my location. When i do, I drop a couple of ice packs into the controller bucket.

The UC buckets, i do not use. I use rubbermaid. I wanted something a bit more flexible and forgiving, than the harden plastic UC buckets. A few farmers i know had some issues with vibration that lead to cracks in the buckets. SO he suspects. both guys walked into their rooms and their floors were flooded.

Anyway. I built a nice size system (150gallon each) and produces super stable growth.

Just my 2cents :)

I agree - you can build one cheaper - If your somebody that has tools and is good with your hands - shit go for it

if you dont get the holes nice and clean it will leak - if you use tubs that dont have flat sides it will leak

the uc has good tubs - kick ass new lids - they have worked out the kinks and their cutomer service is truly second to none

potberryfin · Jul 18, 2011

Check Alvatron's post about DIY UC systems, he made a kick ass replica system for way cheaper than the outrageous retail prices. Plus his system includes even a chiller etc.. Here is a list of parts and costs from Alvatrons post:

1 1/4" uniseal is about S2.64 each at
110 litter air pump is about $80 at local hydro shop
500 gph inline water pump about $60 at hydro shop
1/4 hp water chiller about $220 on craigslist
1 1/4" pipes, tees, and elbows about $30 at homedepot
5 gallon buckets about $5 each at local hydro shop
10 inch net pots about $2.50 each at local hydro shop
50 liter hydroton rocks about $35 at local hydro shop

I'm guessing less than $600 for my complete 6 site DIY undercurrent system

potberryfin · Jul 18, 2011

Unit541 said:
The UC is not a system you can really save a whole lot on by building yourself, especially if you're trying to replicate it as closely as possible. Sky's thread does a great job of illustrating the pros and cons of building your own. The biggest drawback I can think of to building your own, is not having the CC guys on the other end of the line should anything go wrong.

Sorry dude this is complete baloney, especially on those overpriced systems you can save a whole lot. Here's oen of many good examples:

As far as not having CC guys on teh other end of the line, I guess that's what these forums are for right?

sky high · Jul 18, 2011

I don't think yer on yer way to a lot of free advice with such an aloof attitude...

thanks for linking my build, ML. I learned a shitload on those grows/that build even though I'm not using any of it "current"ly....nor am I planning to go back.

to be fair you need to compare apples to apples, potberryfin. 1 1/4" pvc isn't 3"..5 gallon buckets aren't 8's or 13's....yaddayaddayadda... just not the same....not anywhere close.

happy growin, all

s h

potberryfin · Jul 20, 2011

sh, agreed on that apple to apple comparrison. You have made an excellent DIY, i did see it also but linked to another diy one that was made cheaper. performance wise, it will not make a difference if the pvc is 1/ 1/4" or 3 inch. Comparing the buckets is different, you are right 5 isnt 8 or 13. However you can buy a 27 gallon strong box for about 10 bucks, and it would be black and not the blue color which lets light enter. The fact of the matter is that all of UCs parts are sourced from readily available components, and they combine them in a package and multiple the price times 10, it is rediculous so I will always speak against a post that says "The UC is not a system you can really save a whole lot on by building yourself", because this particular system should be build by oneself..

motherlode · Jul 20, 2011

talk about "RIDICULOUS"

your out of your mind if you think the cost of a UC is 1/10th the price - nobody is buying that bullshit

you seem to have an axe to grind

potberryfin · Jul 20, 2011

I said it to STATE A POINT and not that the systems are in fact 1/10 the cost. Without advertising any other hydro systems, many are custom moulded and use custom components. UC doesnt and anyone can buy their exact components for much cheaper, yet they charge the most out of all other companies. It is an overpriced system and it is not difficult to make yourself as we have seen in DIYs - drill some alligned holes, cut several pipes/tubes and connect with uniseals. The air pump also does not have to be an ALita (to power cheap 6" airstones in the grow modules) and the water pump a MAG Drive, there are many other high quality pumps available for cheaper. Of course people will disagree especially after they already spent so much on these units..

sky high · Jul 20, 2011

Like anyone else in biz...CC is there to make money, pay wages and rent/etc...and survive in today's marketplace. They charge what they need to charge to make it work.

Same argument you see ALL THE TIME on the boards about "hydro stores". Folks go in and drop 3K and think the guy who own the place JUST MADE 3K off em and is some rich fuck 'cus he charges retail price for his wares/etc. when in fact, he's no doubt struggling to jostle all of the costs to be able to simply PAY HIMSELF A WAGE for his time spent...like everyone else gets when they go to work.

i built my UC to try to save a few bucks. What I built was close to thier system but not THE same....so again..not apples to apples....and i did save a bit... but mostly, >>>>>>I<<<<<< built the system because I wanted to understand it fully and basically, just wanted to do it to do it/get it out of my head...LOL

Just build one and stop the comparisons.

Pictures of a grow speak volumes

words are fuckin cheap

be well, all

Texas Kid · Jul 20, 2011

I have bought 4 systems, I have built 20+ DIY exact copies, and I have had quite a few UC systems givin to me to play with, so i can tell ya first hand that I know a little what I am talkin about and you don't sound like you know at all....all of your "about" prices are not even close..there is no decent 500+gph pump out there for $50 bucks sorry but Mag drive pumps are amoung if not the best out there, UC changed to these from their previous pumps. I think Wayne pumps are the only ones rated higher for the application and they are really expensive. Duty cycles and reliability are critical and gettin a cheap ass pump is a step in the wrong direction IMO. Uniseals are twice what your puttin and I was buying 100-200 at a time and they are 3" not 1-1/4" and the cheap air pump and chiller are just cheap ass used gear pipe dreams.

13 gallon buckets are $11.00 and you have to buy 45 and go pick them up at that price. and honestly the exact ones that UC uses are hard as shit to find. There are a ton that look the same but the thickness, workability, and tendency to split at the hole is whole lot different. The cheapest I can get the lids down to is $12 and that was with me goin to a waterjet company and gettin them to nest 4 sheets of the same abs UC uses, so at 20 per sheet so that was a $880 bill for 80 lids.

I literally have 100's of pages and hours of research and sourcing every item in the kit and can tell you that you have to put zero value on your time and effort for it to really pay off.

When it gets right down to it, you will have between $95-$110 per bucket in the system and that includes everthing, pumps, seals, tubing, air stones etc... so for a 4 site, which actually has 5 buckets including the epicenter you are goin to spend between $500-$550 with no labor or time figured in at all period, hands down, been there done that many many times now and believe me my research was alot more thorough than just referencing some other thread of another farmer that didn't do the research or take the time to actually copy the system either IMO.

Tex

Texas Kid · Jul 20, 2011

Here I will give ya a little head start in your search, here is the exact material list for a 13 gallon 4 site UC system. If you will go through and source all these items you will realize that you are way off.

(5) 13 Gallon EZpak buckets/no lids
(1) Mag drive 700gph water pump
(1) AP-100 Pondmater air pump
(1) 3/4" PVC shutoff
(2) 3/4" Uniseals
(1) 3/4" "T" PVC soc/soc
(4) 8" Netpots
(4) 3" PVC Elbow 90
(1) 3" "T" PVC soc/soc/soc
(10) 3" Uniseals
(4) 5" Bubble disk
(1) 9" Bubble disk
(1) Air manifold for 6 tubes
(12') 3" PVC pipe
(12') 3/4" PVC pipe
(100') 1/4" air tubing
(4) Lids with 8" holes
(1) Lid with no holes
(1) Water level float valve
(1) PVC glue/primer set
(1) PVC shears for cutting
(1) 3" hole saw for the 3" Uniseals
(4-5) hours of work making and cleaning up holes once everything is sitting right there in front of you.

Now start to get your prices and come back with somethnig that makes a little more since.

Tex

Texas Kid · Jul 20, 2011

Black and blue buckets work against you in these systems unless you are covering the entire outside with some reflective material, dark colors soak in the heat and makes the rest of the system work harder as well poteintially cause unhealthy root zone

Tex

motherlode · Jul 20, 2011

way to state a point that is complete bullshit

kind of ruins your cred

Texas Kid · Jul 20, 2011

Keep in mind that unless your gettin free shipping that adds up faster than the actual gear does. The internet can be a real tail chaser and cost eater when you figure all the cost involved as well as give up your credit info.

When I ordered 12 buckets from Baytec, the frieght was just about as much as the buckets were.

Tex

Jalisco Kid · Jul 20, 2011

I can build a better much higher quality bottom tank with more bells and whistles then uc or your own build for cheaper . I have made 1000's of them. danner/supream pumps are not worth the money. So you guys keep doing your diy, maybe come up with better ideas. JK

motherlode · Jul 20, 2011

I thought your tanks were mega bucks JK?

you systems are cheaper then a UC?

How to DIY UC

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