New RDWC (Under Current) build

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Tstat

Tstat

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Hey everyone! This is my first post here, so I'll start by telling you a little about myself.
Im a 50 YO guy who has been growing since the mid-eighties. I am a med patient and we currently have 2 trays running in flower at all times (staggered). We are allowed 24 in veg and 24 in flower.

Although the ebb and flow trays work well, I am always looking for bigger and faster yields (who isn't!). I never seem to able to get 1 lb out of either tray. Sometimes we hit 14 or 15 OZs. BTW, one tray is under a 1000 watt HPS and the under 600 and a 400.

So, I want to try building a Current Culture type setup! I'd love to just buy one, but I can't get myself to plunk down that kind of cash. Anyway, mine is going to be a 6 tray, 13 gallon system. I'm currently looking for the square 13 gallon buckets. If I can't find them around here (Lowes, HD, Walmart, Target,etc), I am going to buy them here:



I also have a great hydro store near me that carries UC systems and parts. I'm going there in the morning to see if they have the uniseals, etc.

So, I'd like to share this build here and hopefully get some expert guidance from you folks that have built these. This forum seemed to have the best info, which is why I chose to come here. I'll continue posting once I get some supplies to get going. I need it built in the next few weeks.

Does anyone have any suggestions to get me started? I know there are threads here about this, but I couldn't find any with exact directions. Can anyone point me to a good thread? TIA, and I look forward to building this and sharing it with you all!
 
Texas Kid

Texas Kid

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I would get the buckets ala cart from UC direct, even if its just the buckets with the 2"-3" holes already in them, the bulkheads work much better than the uniseals so I would get those from UC and the lids...everything else is easy cheesy like the pvc, water pumps, air pumps, air stones, ect.. I have built a few and the only real savings I got was from my store discount really kickin ass on all the support stuff and the buckets I bought in bulk 45 at a time to get them down to $11 bucks a bucket without the lid, then I have a pile of thick lids made at a waterjet place for $6 bucks a piece...so bucket and lid I was at $17 a piece before all the other crap....I have bought three or four new setups complete from UC since, the savings wasn't significant enough for me to track down all the crap and get it shipped in over gettin three boxes within two days from UC with everything needed to get to gettin..you can buy all that stuff bare bones as well right from UC, the 13 gallon with the 3" holes and (2)3" bulkhead fittings and an epicenter and your set except for air pumps, 3" pvc connecting tubes, water pump, 3" end manifold and epicenter manifold, air pump manifold, airstones
 
Tstat

Tstat

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Thanks for the first response! I've read a lot of your posts, so I really value your help.

Well, the 6xl runs at least $1000. Even if I spent $40 apiece for the buckets, that's only $240. I already have some nice air pumps and the Mag Drive is probably $150 or so. That's only $390. After that, its PVC, air stones, and bulkheads, etc. So, it looks like I could make this pretty easily for under $500.

I see a lot of people say that they didn't save much in the end, am I missing something? If I can make this for $500 or so, I'll be pretty happy saving $500!

How much are the UC buckets and epicenter? I don't see prices on their website. Thanks again, and I can't wait to get going on this. Like I said, I have about 3 weeks until the tray is harvested and I'd like to get this in for the next run.
 
Texas Kid

Texas Kid

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The mag drive is about $200 bucks and the AP60 air pump and manifold is another couple hundred, the epicenter is a bucket so you actually have 7 buckets on a 6 site, 3" uniseals are $6 bucks each and two per bucket, with airstones and fittings your pretty close at $40 a bucket....I think when I did a 4 site soup to nuts it was a little over $580 bucks...don't get me wrong, you save some money but it wasn't half price..maybe save a third over buyin it complete but that doesn't include trackin it all down, gettin holes made in buckets and lids, not fuckin the buckets up in the process....when it was all said and done my time and hassle was worth more than the maybe $300 bucks savings in the materials
 
Tstat

Tstat

23
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Yea, that sounds about right. I'm going to the grow store this morning to get the ball rolling. I'm determined to get this done and save some money.
 
Texas Kid

Texas Kid

Some guy with a light
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If you can get 20-25% off pumps, stomes, manifolds, etc..at your local grow store, it doesn't hurt so bad...don't skimp, get the Mag drive and at least an AP60 pondpump, pondmaster if they have it...I would use those 4-5" disc air stones or put those big ass 8" disc in each bucket..for sure put an 8" in the epicenter
 
Texas Kid

Texas Kid

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I would run 2" also, not the 3"..the 2" pvc elbows and tees are way easier to find than the 3", the 3" you pretty much have to go to a plumbing supply house to get all the right elbows and tees but the 2" is Home depot..they have 3" also but more cleanout configs and different flange configs than you want...my 2" works just the same as my 3" ones..
 
Tstat

Tstat

23
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OK, I visited my grow shop. They have everything there to build a system. Of course they REALLY wanted me to buy a box, LOL. Anyway, I have some ideas now and prices. I also hit Walmart and bought these:

(I tried to embed this, but it keeps changing the URL and not showing up)



These are 16 gallon with attached lids. They are more heavy duty than the regular Rubermaid stuff. I'm thinking I could grow 2 plants in each tub. I bought 5 (at $10 each) so I will have a 4 bucket system with the 5th being the controller. I was tempted to buy the UC pots, but they were over $30 each for the 8 gallon size.

Speaking of prices, here are some prices for US stuff from the grow shop:

Controller bucket: $240!
8 Gallon buckets: $30
Uniseals: $5
Bulkheads: $12
Water Pump: @ $350

So, I think what I bought should work and I saved a lot. I could even go 6 for a little bit more. Now my next step is to get either uniseals or bulkheads. The guy at the store said he likes the uniseals because they have some "give" to them. Now the bulkheads are twice the cost of the uniseals. What do you think I should use for this type of bucket?

This is starting to get fun!
 
Texas Kid

Texas Kid

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My uniseals work great, its the assembly and dis-assembly that kicks your ass, you feel like you've been in a car wreck....ya see what Im sayin though, you save money but not much and you have to compromise brand quality to keep it on the cheap.....I built a jig to drill a pilot hole on each side for my 3" hole saw, made it alot faster and uniform...
 
Tstat

Tstat

23
3
Yep, I'm going to head back to the store right now to buy either the bulkheads or the uniseals.
 
Tstat

Tstat

23
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First, I'm going to try to post that picture of the buckets:

1380826_447487408700735_1323254898_n.jpg


So, posting from Facebook works. I just got back from my second trip to the grow store:
1382365_447488978700578_715641169_n.jpg


I picked up the return and the manifold plus 2 straight tie-ins. These are 2 inch and completely put together. I paid $170 for all 4. I am actually thinking of adding 2 more buckets, if I have room. It would only be $50 for the 2 bulkhead assemblies and $20 for the buckets.

Right now I'm at $220, $290 if I add 2 more. I also saw the mag drive there, the 500 was only $100, so that made me happy.

Just for fun, here are a couple of pictures of the space where this new system is going to go:

1377447_447488982033911_1621667017_n.jpg




I'm not sure why some photos are not showing up, like the one above. Image size, maybe? Weird. Anyway, I'm having some fun now!

What is the best way to drill the holes? I mean I have a drill and circular drill bores. Would be helpful to have a piece of board or something behind the plastic? I am going to practice on some old totes I have laying around :)
 
Tstat

Tstat

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I picked up my mesh pots today. The CC ones were $5.00. I bought. Something similar for $1.70. I will start drilling this week...
 
Tstat

Tstat

23
3
So, I have everything all set for tomorrow. I have a 3 inch hole saw that hooks up to my drill that will work for the bulkheads and a 5 inch that is perfect for the mesh pots.

Not sure if anyone is following this thread, but I'll post photos tomorrow.
 
Tstat

Tstat

23
3
OK, I got all of my drilling done!

Here are my tools:
1377369_449382078511268_1095633081_n.jpg


Pilot holes drilled:

1379578_449382055177937_347910151_n.jpg


Holes bored:

1374192_449382025177940_1204511535_n.jpg


Net pot:

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Rough hook-up:

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1374364_449381975177945_1546184093_n.jpg

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So, I still need to smooth out my cuts a litte more, but everything went together smoothly!
 
Texas Kid

Texas Kid

Some guy with a light
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I diggin it maing...more plants shorter veg time, fuller canopy, or more full is fuller a word?scrog it..lol..I would put two large air stones per tub so an AP60 would be minimum and the AP100 would be perfect for 10 stones and the return filter between your manifold tee and the pump helps alot..You should rattle can those tubs flat white or cover with that flex insulation stuff...I shot a bunch of aerocloner flat white with plastic paint and it worked badass for cuttin heat..I still think your goin to need a chiller to get the best out of it..magdrive500 should be plenty of push and pull...lovin it
 
Green Giant

Green Giant

284
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Lookin sweet!!! I will be watching all along for this build. I am in the process of building out a new flowing room that will hold 2 8 gallon x8 sites DIY UC setups.

Can't wait to see this running!! What is your spacing going to be?
 
Tstat

Tstat

23
3
Thanks guys! It only took a couple of hours to do and all the cuts seemed to be perfect. I mean, it certainly could leak or something, LOL. But so far, so good.

Certainly will need a chiller, but not for a few months here. I have 2 more tubs all cut and ready, but I don't have room for them. I figure if this setup truly kills it, I will probably get rid of the tray and add the 2 other tubs. Or I'll just have a couple of backups.

The spacing is what you see. I guess it's the XL spacing, not sure exactly how many inches apart they are.

Damn, I uploaded 3 of the same photo!
 
Tstat

Tstat

23
3
So, I harvested all of the Pineapple Express and Widow. All that was left was one huge Blueberry Headband and a Big Bud/Widow. I carefully removed them from the tray a placed them in DWC buckets to finish up.

I then removed the table and tray, and scraped the walls:
1382358_453965591386250_458017718_n.jpg


Next I painted, cleaned up, washed down the floor and put the 2 plants back under the light:
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Here is what the other side of the room looks like:
1381587_453965598052916_592738520_n.jpg


I have some really nice 3 week old Critical and Big Bud/Widow waiting to go in:
1384014_453965641386245_1292495716_n.jpg


Maybe tomorrow I'll start putting the UC together in the space. I can't hook it up until next weekend. I am waiting on the filter, float valve, and drain assembly to be shipped to me.
 
Tstat

Tstat

23
3
So, I worked on getting this system in place:

1396028_454634411319368_1076044938_n.jpg


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Here is quick shot of that Blueberry Headband. Probably needs another week or 2:

1377235_454634431319366_893558845_n.jpg


Now I just need to wait for my air stones and misc. plumbing that I ordered!
 
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