Douglas.C
- 312
- 63
I remember when Undercurrent first became popular, a few years ago. Never saw the use of it.This forum seems much less used than 4 years ago, but why? One would think that there are more people growing now than then and that more would see the benefits to using an UnderCurrent.
Is it just too difficult for most people to keep their levels in check?
How long does the swing take? Just curious...my current culture rdwc swings more than yours.
maybe 5.4 to 6.2, sometimes i make it possible, sometimes the girls do it themselves. i like it that way.
I'm coming up on 10 years as a serious grower. At this point, I've about done it all. Photos and autos indoors and outdoors, TLO, soil less, you name it. Granted, RDWC had a bigger learning curve than other methods but it's become my choice way to grow. Even with the required clean up and sterilization following a harvest, it's far easier than soil. I'm running 2 UCXL8 systems. The amount of soil I would need to haul and mix to accommodate 16 plants in 15 gallon pots is more than these old bones can endure. Add to that the need to dispose of that much soil after each grow and, to me, it quickly becomes obvious that RDWC is the way to go.
I think one big mistake people trying RDWC make is trying to run organics. I tried organics my first two grows and the results were pretty poor. Root issues were the big problem. Since going sterile my results have improved greatly and the amount of work required to maintain the systems has dramatically decreased. Most days I spend about 15 minutes in the grow room. Check the pH, ppm, temps, maybe mix the top off res. Through a bit of trial and error I've found that if I have the right mix in the top off res both my pH and ppm will remain very stable. I generally go 18-21 days between system changes.
While I certainly don't consider myself to be an expert, my results are improving with every grow. I still run a small shed with half a dozen autos in TLO, but running photos in RDWC is now my primary focus. If my state ever legalizes I'm well positioned to become a legal, commercial grower. I would not hesitate to set up a large commercial facility running RDWC. IMO it's the easiest, lest time consuming and superior yielding way to grow.
Commercial?
You'll find significant savings on labor (one of your highest costs) by going straight dwc. The 'sterilization' times are reduced to a quick scrub and rinse of the res. Infrastructure costs will be significantly less with DWC, simple tubs vs. what rdwc requires. Running airpumps, instead of large water pumps, is a large savings on electricity and start up costs.
DWC is truly the lazy man's hydro for smashing results. :)
Have you read "Ask lucas" before? The reason I ask is because you mentioned using an add-back reservoir for 'stable pH.' In my experience, a full and cyclic pH swing grows vastly cleaner and higher quality cannabis. The old overgrow FAQ (and a lot of misinformed people) talk about using an add-back reservoir for pH stability, when in reality you want a full and healthy swing to be present. I remember a quote from Lucas where he strongly advises to use only plain R/O water for add-backs and is wondering where the "pH stable" junk came from.
Keep up the good work!
Douglas
No worries. :)Sorry mis-read, lazy me. Would love to see a big DWC though too, how many plants you talkin bout? How does the labor for changing each site work?
no what im comparing is my dwc to my rdwc and showing with a picture why i say, imo there is no comparison
I like a good range of swing as well. Lets the rhizosphere take up elements that may otherwise be missed at locked in rock solid levels. But then there are some strains that dont like a wide variation. So its strain dependent I guess.my current culture rdwc swings more than yours.
maybe 5.4 to 6.2, sometimes i make it possible, sometimes the girls do it themselves. i like it that way.
I've found all strains (so far, in 15+ years) to handle a full 7-10 day pH swing of 5.4-5.8 perfectly well. Not a single variation. I've also used lucas and then a modified lucas formula (and res management methods) throughout all those years.I like a good range of swing as well. Lets the rhizosphere take up elements that may otherwise be missed at locked in rock solid levels. But then there are some strains that dont like a wide variation. So its strain dependent I guess.
I use a 70 gallon res (with 45gallons of nutrient) per light? I don't mess around with individual buckets, I mono-crop one strain per reservoir. Stupid simple.I'm just gonna go ahead and weigh in here in spite of my lack of experience.
@Douglas.C
How can managing individual buckets be better, easier, than RDWC where the nutrients and cooling are centralized?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?