Earl I have a 14 gallon roughneck that I was planning to put 5 - 5" netties in. will this be a prob with amount of solution per plant or will I be ok? I chose it over the 18 to save vertical space but if thats the better option i could train or scrog.

earls busy, maybe I can help,,,,,, j/k

It's not so much "with amount of solution per plant"

The larger the reservoir, the more nutrients it contains.

The larger the reservoir, the longer between change outs.

The larger the plants, the faster they consume the available nutrients, the sooner/more often you will have to do change outs.

Which leads to a question,,,,,, how are you gonna do your change outs in that large tote? Suggestions,,,, install a drain valve on an end at the bottom or get a pump/hose that attaches to your battery/hand drill.

Now as for the number of plants/sites 'n, I use 5 gallon totes with 6 x 4" baskets, for veggin' cuttin's, then transfer to 2 1/2 gallon buckets, which you may want to consider, because they don't take up that much more room than the tote. Easier change outs ( take empty bucket, lift lid with plant in bucket to be changed out to empty bucket, empty out old nutes, replace with new nutes/whatever, then put plant back in.
Individual buckets with individual plants offer less problems than multiple plants. One plant gets sick, they all get sick,,,

Good Luck,,,,,,,

aNs

ps, hey earl, what's shakin' man? I still peek in once 'n a while,,,,,Anyone wants a link to the original post, complete with pictures, drop me a PM 'n I'll fire it off to ya's

Are you going to be able to replace all the old pictures ?

Thanks aNs, very helpful!

Am I doing something wrong? I can't see any pictures.

its an old post, so all the pictures were moved/deleted (i think ) im just gonna throw in my 2 cents: what if (rope, stainless wire, string, you get the idea) was attached to the top of the bucket an allowed to to sit in the nutrient solution then when the plants grow, their roots will entangle with the rope and make switching nutes easier on the plants since their roots never have to carry their full weight?

this is the thread i have been looking for but i need pics and the attachments are not there. sorry im a idiot without them

Heres some pictures of my DWC set up so you can get an idea how it works. It's really very simple. Just a bucket full of nutrient solution with a pump and airstone to provide oxygen to the roots. I start my clones in aeroponics and let the roots get at least 7 or 8 inches long, then string through the net pot a little bit and fill it with hydroton while holding the stem in place in the center of the pot. The roots will grow down into the water. Keep the water level just below the net pot inside the bucket.







When they get this big they can drink 1-2 gallons a day. Daily attention required.

Tips and tricks.

1. Keep all light out of the inside of the bucket.

2. Peroxide helps keep root rot at bay. I use 29% hydrogen peroxide at 2-3ml per gallon.

3. Change your nutrient solution at least once a week. You can get away with a little more during the early stages, but old solution can breed bacteria that you don't want growing on your roots.

4. Use water only when topping up your bucket between change outs. If you have added more water back to the bucket than what it holds it is time for fresh nutrient solution. Some people top up with nutrient solution but you really need a ppm meter to get it right.

5. Clean the inside of your buckets with hot water and a rag during your change out. If they are getting nasty use a 10% bleach solution and rinse very well.

6. Rinse your hydroton very well before using it.

7. Keep your pH between 5.6 and 6.3.

8. Follow the directions on your nutrient containers, and it never hurts to stay on the shy side with the nutes.

9. Keep extra airstones on hand and change them whenever they start getting clogged.

Do this and you will succeed.

One last thing!

I have successfully rooted a clone directly into a DWC bucket, it can be done. But I find the aeroponic cloner to be much faster. You can build your own for less than $50 so don't go out and pay $350 for one.