How to Make the Simple DWC System
- 1). Use foil tape to wrap a 5-gallon bucket if your bucket is not black. The reason for wrapping your bucket is to keep light out. If light is shining into the bucket, algae will form and eat off your plant's nutrients.
- 2). Cut a hole in the bucket lid 6 inches in diameter in the center of the lid. This will be the hole for the 6-inch netted pot. You do not need to do this step if you have a net pot lid for the bucket. The hole in the lid needs to be 1/4 of an inch smaller in diameter to accommodate the netted pot. Trace around your netted pot with a marker 1/4 of an inch smaller diameter than the 6-inch netted pot. Cut the hole in the lid carefully with a utility knife.
- 3). Make a small hole for the air line in the top of the bucket on the lid. Use a utility knife or drill to make a 1/4-inch hole in the corner of the lid.
- 4). Put the air line hose into the hole in the top lid and attach the air stone to the air line. Verify that you have enough air line for the air stone to sit on the bottom of the bucket. Use a weight that is non metal for small air stones to prevent them from rising and floating when air is put into them.
- 5). Clean and sanitize your bucket before using to ensure a clean environment for your plants. Sanitize the bucket using a 10 percent bleach or hydrogen peroxide solution. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray the bucket or pour the solution into the bucket itself. Rinse the bucket with cold water only and allow it to air dry.
- 6). Wash and sterilize the growing medium you are going to use before adding it into your bucket. If using hydroton clay pebbles, rinse them in clean, fresh water. If you have a medium that can be recycled, such as hydroton, wash the medium and sterilize with a 10 percent bleach solution. Rinse the medium with cold water.
- 7). Add the hydroponic solution to your bucket and if using a seedling, plant the seedling into the netted pot. Fill the nutrient solution about an inch above the bottom of the netted pot for new seedlings. If you are growing from seed, it is recommended to start your seeds in a rockwool cube first, then place the rockwool cube into the netted pot. For seedlings, use a 1/4 to 1/2 strength hydroponic solution. Maintain the pH level of the water between 5.5 and 6.0. You can use a pH testing kit to test the water's pH level.
- 8). Decrease the water level after the roots have grown in length. Lowering the water level allows maturing and older plants to have more room for air to the roots. Add more pH-adjusted reverse osmosis water if possible to your bucket when the water level gets low. The water should be kept between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal condition. Change the water solution every two weeks for older maturing plants. You can change the water for younger plants less frequently.
Source...