Switching from Diy dwc to diy RDWC need help

Gizmo_gardener · Sep 19, 2025

Ok so I have done two runs now in dwc set up. 2 5 gallon buckets. I believe I've gotten the hang out just growing. Nute, oh water temps. All the environmental stuff down pat. I want to now trying using scrog net my issue is once net is in place filling buckets is gonna be an issue as I am goin to add 3 or 4 more buckets to my 4x5 tent. Using a 55 gallon fish tank as my res. Issue at had is don't wanna cut glass on my tank and the tank is sitting higher off the floor then my buckets will be. So I will have to use a pump to complete recirculation process. I have aquarium sump pumps I can use to pump back is that safe or do I need inline transfer pumps

THCosmic · Sep 20, 2025

Gizmo_gardener said:
Ok so I have done two runs now in dwc set up. 2 5 gallon buckets. I believe I've gotten the hang out just growing. Nute, oh water temps. All the environmental stuff down pat. I want to now trying using scrog net my issue is once net is in place filling buckets is gonna be an issue as I am goin to add 3 or 4 more buckets to my 4x5 tent. Using a 55 gallon fish tank as my res. Issue at had is don't wanna cut glass on my tank and the tank is sitting higher off the floor then my buckets will be. So I will have to use a pump to complete recirculation process. I have aquarium sump pumps I can use to pump back is that safe or do I need inline transfer pumps

Reservoir higher than buckets will make it difficult to maintain your water level. Since you will not be cutting into the glass of the fish tank, I assume the reservoir will need a pump moving water out to the buckets (which is standard) and a pump at the bucket level to bring water back to the reservoir. Is this correct? If so, you will definitely run into issues and risk flooding your tent. The pumps will inevitably run out of sync, with 1 pumping more water than the other. More than likely your flow to your buckets will be greater than the flow back to your reservoir which will overfill your buckets and flood your tent.

I've dealt with this already and still do deal with it in my current setup. I have to run my pump 3 minutes on and 12 minutes off to guarantee it never floods. I also have a smaller reservoir than the plant bucket and keep enough room in the plant bucket for all the water of my reservoir so I never even risk flooding. With a 55 gallon tank you won't have that option though.

Just my initial thoughts on the setup. Definitely a good move to go to RDWC. Once you have a good setup it will make like so much easier.

Gizmo_gardener · Sep 20, 2025

So I am planning on having both return pumps from buckets to tank and supply pump both ran on timers. I am not planning on a continuous flow just change water out 3 or 4 times a day with the timers? Have the buckets drain out for 5-10 min couple mins will go by with no water movement then supply pump comes on and fills buckets back to 3.5 gallons. My tank will only be holding roughly 35 gallon. Which once the pumps come on it will add another 18 gallon or so back in the tank. At least until I get into mid flower.

So if my new question is will I hurt my roots by allowing them to sit with out water for 1.5-2 mins with out water? Should I wait longer for the supply to come on or make it come one right before the return pumps shut off?

THCosmic · Sep 20, 2025

Gizmo_gardener said:
So I am planning on having both return pumps from buckets to tank and supply pump both ran on timers. I am not planning on a continuous flow just change water out 3 or 4 times a day with the timers? Have the buckets drain out for 5-10 min couple mins will go by with no water movement then supply pump comes on and fills buckets back to 3.5 gallons. My tank will only be holding roughly 35 gallon. Which once the pumps come on it will add another 18 gallon or so back in the tank. At least until I get into mid flower.

So if my new question is will I hurt my roots by allowing them to sit with out water for 1.5-2 mins with out water? Should I wait longer for the supply to come on or make it come one right before the return pumps shut off?

Sounds like what I am currently doing, but the opposite. Still accomplishes the same thing. Safer for you to do it this way, no risk of flooding the tent. Your roots will be fine without water for that short time. Not like they will be bone dry. They will still be saturated the entire time.

RoadKillSkunkHunt · Sep 20, 2025

If your main reservoir is higher than your containers, you'll need a control bucket that has float operated relays to control your pump fill and return. This technically makes it more of a Dutch Bucket system than RDWC .... However both RDWC and Dutch Buckets are both capable of outstanding performance.

Gizmo_gardener · Sep 20, 2025

Ok I want to thank everyone for their responses. I do not understand y u say u need a control bucket with relays if I am using timers and individual pumps in each 5 g bucket for return to the tank.

Now the only reason I am going to the RDWC is I'm having a lil issues with my water temps staying below 72° they are closer to 78-80 when lights are on. Not home enough to do frozen bottles. Don't like the fact of I've being right on the roots blah blah. And for me right now buying a chiller to run 6 buckets is to pricey. I was given all the pumps I am going to use.

The supply pump from the tank is vivosun 800gph pump and the individual pump not sure the brand but they say to pump 4Lpm which if I did my math right is roughly 60 gph just to empty buckets I believe that is effective enough. As I am not running these pumps continuously. I would like to at some point move to ebb and flow per say for the watering. As that is all RDWC is to me. Just can't get my buckets same level as tank as that means I have to lift buckets at least a foot. Closing up to growing space.

RoadKillSkunkHunt · Sep 20, 2025

Gizmo_gardener said:
Ok I want to thank everyone for their responses. I do not understand y u say u need a control bucket with relays if I am using timers and individual pumps in each 5 g bucket for return to the tank.

Now the only reason I am going to the RDWC is I'm having a lil issues with my water temps staying below 72° they are closer to 78-80 when lights are on. Not home enough to do frozen bottles. Don't like the fact of I've being right on the roots blah blah. And for me right now buying a chiller to run 6 buckets is to pricey. I was given all the pumps I am going to use.

The supply pump from the tank is vivosun 800gph pump and the individual pump not sure the brand but they say to pump 4Lpm which if I did my math right is roughly 60 gph just to empty buckets I believe that is effective enough. As I am not running these pumps continuously. I would like to at some point move to ebb and flow per say for the watering. As that is all RDWC is to me. Just can't get my buckets same level as tank as that means I have to lift buckets at least a foot. Closing up to growing space.

If your bottle neck is the reservoir heights vs the bucket heights, simply train your plants wide with a scrog net. It would be easier to maintain the buckets at reservoir heights. You can make up for the lost heights by utilizing horizontal space. You can buy the control buckets online premade, but they are rather pricey. You can also make your own at home. You can find directions online. Either way works. Pick what works best for you.

Florida_Mike · Sep 20, 2025

use redundant 12v bilge pumps with float switches, that are rated at more gpm than your supply pump. Put one bilge pump float switch higher in the catch bucket, so it will never come on unless the water rises high enough or the main pump fails (these pumps come on at very shallow water levels and pump down to almost nothing and are rated for salt water.

Amazon.com : bilge pumps for boats

also don't forget my anti syphon hack for a reservoir that's higher than the buckets they are feeding (simple 1/8" 90 put into feeder tube, that will spray a small jet back down into the reservoir when pump is on, and break syphon when pump shuts off.)

amneziaHaze · Sep 20, 2025

problem is that it is above.soo it will allways want to empty it selfe more than the buckets can have. you can have a pump in the lower one but it takes only one time for roots to get stuck inside or just to cover the intake enough to make it fill slower than it empties and you have a primordial soupe flowing inside your whole house.if i would go that way i would at least make the floor water proof and as high as the volume of water you could lose in an accident

RoadKillSkunkHunt · Sep 20, 2025

Something like this fixes your problem:

Active Aqua Grow Flow Ebb and Gro Controller Unit w/2 Pumps

Request a Quote - Bulk Discounts for Large Grow Operations.

www.growgeneration.com

I know there are DIY tutorials. I'm looking but haven't found a good one yet.

Florida_Mike · Sep 20, 2025

amneziaHaze said:
problem is that it is above.soo it will allways want to empty it selfe more than the buckets can have. you can have a pump in the lower one but it takes only one time for roots to get stuck inside or just to cover the intake enough to make it fill slower than it empties and you have a primordial soupe flowing inside your whole house.if i would go that way i would at least make the floor water proof and as high as the volume of water you could lose in an accident

did you read my post? anti syphon is simple to deal with.

raise the plants enough so that they can gravity empty into a central catch bucket with the bilge pump. Very simple to watch the flow and know if any are slowing down from roots.

I agree you should have enough containment for the reservoir size. I have a quality tarp in my room covering the entire floor and stapled 8" up the walls. both tents have containment "pans" as well.

Switch to RCD with rockwool slabs and grow plants like in pics. It solves a lot of problems, before they even arise.

amneziaHaze · Sep 20, 2025

Nyarlathotep said:
did you read my post? anti syphon is simple to deal with.

raise the plants enough so that they can gravity empty into a central catch bucket with the bilge pump. Very simple to watch the flow and know if any are slowing down from roots.

I agree you should have enough containment for the reservoir size. I have a quality tarp in my room covering the entire floor and stapled 8" up the walls. both tents have containment "pans" as well.

Switch to RCD with rockwool slabs and grow plants like in pics. It solves a lot of problems, before they even arise.

sorry i fought the subject was fix for a situation when the reservoir is above the plant pots. but if you have lots of space yes lift the pots above the aquarium.just the standard grow box is usually allways 2m tall and with the buckets your tight with the space

i would love to grow soo many plants but we are limited to a small amount

THCosmic · Sep 20, 2025

Nyarlathotep said:
did you read my post? anti syphon is simple to deal with.

raise the plants enough so that they can gravity empty into a central catch bucket with the bilge pump. Very simple to watch the flow and know if any are slowing down from roots.

I agree you should have enough containment for the reservoir size. I have a quality tarp in my room covering the entire floor and stapled 8" up the walls. both tents have containment "pans" as well.

Switch to RCD with rockwool slabs and grow plants like in pics. It solves a lot of problems, before they even arise.

I see that 2nd picture and instantly start singing:

Florida_Mike · Sep 20, 2025

amneziaHaze said:
sorry i fought the subject was fix for a situation when the reservoir is above the plant pots. but if you have lots of space yes lift the pots above the aquarium.just the standard grow box is usually allways 2m tall and with the buckets your tight with the space

i would love to grow soo many plants but we are limited to a small amount

Plants only have to be lifted higher than a 4-6" deep catch pan or bucket; from which water will be pumped back up and into the reservoir via a bilge pump. 120/240

2 pumps for redundancy with *[remote] float switches set at 2 dif levels: ie one @ 1" and one @ 4" (use pumps with remote float switchs). The pump set to come on at 1" deep water is the main pump. The 2nd one set at 4" is just a backup in case the main pump fails. I can draw a picture if needed (This is how sewer pump stations operate. They have multiple pumps with float switches set at different depths. Many have flashing lights [above ground] that come on, with numbers to "call if light is flashing" signs. The lights come on if any of the pumps other than the main come online

THCosmic said:
I see that 2nd picture and instantly start singing:

And that was from tiny uni-slabs (4x8x12")

Gizmo_gardener · Sep 20, 2025

So although flooding my house isn't an issue. The tent is in an old well house concrete floors with a drain.

I will post pics tomorrow morning of what I have for my set up. I have been reading a listening to everyone's feed back on the issues I will run into. I didn't realize that the pumps I'm using for returns don't have to go in the buckets I can use a straw to suck it up from above water levels. With a screen shouldn't have issue with roots.

But today I did sit in the grow area just starring at my space. Right now I have two autos in the last couple weeks of flower with just my buckets in the tent. I believe I may be able to raise my buckets up enough to equal water level out maybe with the tank. The tank is sitting on two pallets about 6-8" off the ground. I have moved my exhaust fan to the out side of my tent. To allow more room to bring the lights up higher as my plants grow. I would love to use a scrog net and horizontal fill the tent. Which is my plan.

I have another post up in general I believe not sure how to pin it here. I'll show some my pics of what I have going on right now before the full switch.

Lemon Mandarin Photo by FastBuds

The two Grand Daddy Purp via seed supreme

2x4 tent with the lemon Mandarin in it

Res tank.

I will post the pics of my 4x5 tent that is for the RDWC and all my autos. Planning on adding another 4x4 and moving the mainlined plant over to it for the Grand Flower Flip lol. Has been fun.

Gizmo_gardener · Sep 21, 2025

Ok so I have decided that I am not going to use the fish tank as my reservoir after all I will either use a trash can storage bin or another 5gallon bucket. I have also realized it's not as cheap as I thought is was going to be lol. I have found a video on YouTube that I am going to try and copy as well as I can. Was i read it is really hard to make a RDWC with 6 buckets hard to keep the flow of supply to each bucket even.

This is the like to the video here...

As for my setup

Once the two GDP's finish out the plants in the humidity dome will be goin in. Not sure what the strain is I bout the mix pack from FastBuds. Which is 5 seeds then I have a Mexican Airlines also by fast buds im gonna run in here.

THCosmic · Sep 21, 2025

1" bulkheads at the bottom of each bucket. Connect them all with PVC. Run the PVC out the tent to an external 5 gallon bucket. Water pump in this external reservoir to pump water into the top of each bucket.

SeedSupreme · Sep 30, 2025

Gizmo_gardener said:
So although flooding my house isn't an issue. The tent is in an old well house concrete floors with a drain.

I will post pics tomorrow morning of what I have for my set up. I have been reading a listening to everyone's feed back on the issues I will run into. I didn't realize that the pumps I'm using for returns don't have to go in the buckets I can use a straw to suck it up from above water levels. With a screen shouldn't have issue with roots.

But today I did sit in the grow area just starring at my space. Right now I have two autos in the last couple weeks of flower with just my buckets in the tent. I believe I may be able to raise my buckets up enough to equal water level out maybe with the tank. The tank is sitting on two pallets about 6-8" off the ground. I have moved my exhaust fan to the out side of my tent. To allow more room to bring the lights up higher as my plants grow. I would love to use a scrog net and horizontal fill the tent. Which is my plan.

I have another post up in general I believe not sure how to pin it here. I'll show some my pics of what I have going on right now before the full switch.

View attachment 2529078
Lemon Mandarin Photo by FastBuds

View attachment 2529077 View attachment 2529081
The two Grand Daddy Purp via seed supreme

View attachment 2529079
2x4 tent with the lemon Mandarin in it

View attachment 2529080
Res tank.

I will post the pics of my 4x5 tent that is for the RDWC and all my autos. Planning on adding another 4x4 and moving the mainlined plant over to it for the Grand Flower Flip lol. Has been fun.

How're you getting on with this @Gizmo_gardener? Hope Grandaddy Purple is thriving (and the others of course)

Thanks for the support

ajpapenfuss · Oct 2, 2025

Can I ask why you are going to a reservoir

THCosmic · Oct 2, 2025

ajpapenfuss said:
Can I ask why you are going to a reservoir

Reservoir makes everything much more convenient. Easy to monitor PH, EC, temperature, water level, etc. If the reservoir is outside the tent, it makes things even more convenient since you can do all these tests even during the night cycle without disturbing the plants. Reservoir adds more water to the system allowing you to maintain lower temps for longer. Large external reservoir will keep majority of the solution outside the heat of the light(s).

You lose the convenience of being able to rotate or move your plants since most of these systems require connecting every bucket at the bottom with PVC. With float switches you can get away with using pumps and a bunch of tubing to allow for some movement of your plants.

Switching from Diy dwc to diy RDWC need help

Switching from Diy dwc to diy RDWC need help

Gizmo_gardener

THCosmic

Gizmo_gardener

THCosmic

RoadKillSkunkHunt

Gizmo_gardener

RoadKillSkunkHunt

Florida_Mike

At the edge of the map, blowing kisses at dragons.

Attachments

amneziaHaze

RoadKillSkunkHunt

Active Aqua Grow Flow Ebb and Gro Controller Unit w/2 Pumps

Florida_Mike

At the edge of the map, blowing kisses at dragons.

Attachments

amneziaHaze

THCosmic

Florida_Mike

At the edge of the map, blowing kisses at dragons.

Gizmo_gardener

Gizmo_gardener

THCosmic

SeedSupreme

ajpapenfuss

THCosmic

Switching from Diy dwc to diy RDWC need help

Switching from Diy dwc to diy RDWC need help

Gizmo_gardener

THCosmic

Gizmo_gardener

THCosmic

RoadKillSkunkHunt

Gizmo_gardener

RoadKillSkunkHunt

Florida_Mike

At the edge of the map, blowing kisses at dragons.

Attachments

amneziaHaze

RoadKillSkunkHunt

Active Aqua Grow Flow Ebb and Gro Controller Unit w/2 Pumps

Florida_Mike

At the edge of the map, blowing kisses at dragons.

Attachments

amneziaHaze

THCosmic

Florida_Mike

At the edge of the map, blowing kisses at dragons.

Gizmo_gardener

Gizmo_gardener

THCosmic

SeedSupreme

ajpapenfuss

THCosmic

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