I get a lot of questions on DWC, bubblers, bubblin’ buckets, so I figured it’s time to show the basic setup and equipment needs.
The concept of DWC is to have your plant roots hang down in highly oxygenated, nutrient rich solution.
A lot of people are intimidated by hydro and think complicated, too expensive, too much equipment, clogged lines and failed pumps. DWC is very basic, no frills hydroponics. There are no spray nozzles, return lines, feeder lines, or water pumps to clog. No reservoirs or float valves to overflow or jam. Other than grower error about the worst thing that can go wrong is a plugged airline/airstone, or an air pump goes down. This is easily avoided by checking your stones, pumps and lines daily. If an air pump goes down, easy, keep a spare. They are only $20-25.00

All of the necessary equipment can be bought at WallyWorld, Lowes, Hardware stores, pet stores and nurseries

Equipment needed:

Dual outlet aquarium pump $25.00
¼” vinyl or rubber airlines $00.25-40 @ ft.
¼” vinyl fittings, Tees, couplers
4” airstone $01.50
4” net pots $01.00
Medium, Hydrotron Expanded Clay Pellets
1 ½ rockwool cubes $ 08.00 for 24
notebook
pH meter
PPM meter
Rubbermaid Containers/buckets, $03.00-10.00
pH Up $08.00
pH Down $08.00

Nutrients and additives various costs,

A Bubbleberry plant grown in DWC.

[img]http://unleashdagreen.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1326&stc=1&d=1207450608[/img]


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Pumps:

A simple aquarium pump is all that is required. They are cheap and readily available. Department stores, pet shops, hardwares. Try and get the type with dual/two outlets. This way you can aerate more buckets. Even more buy adding Tee fittings.
Notice, the smaller pump on the left has a single air outlet. The larger one has two.
I recently priced a larger pump at the hydro shop, much higher output capacity, 6 outlets, $400.00. Not necessary.

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Dual outlet pump,,,,,,,,,,



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Next you need airlines, Tee fittings, couplers and airstones.

Airstones come in various sizes from 4-12”. I will use a 4’ in my 2 ½ gallon buckets and a 12” in the bigger rubbermaids. The airlines come in clear vinyl and colored rubber. I prefer the rubber lines. The vinyl can be stiff at times. The couplers allow you to put one or more airlines together for length and easy removal for nute changes. The Tees allow you to make two supplies out of one airline, again allowing you to feed two buckets. Airstones are cheap and clog frequently, keep a few spares on hand and check daily. Replace as needed. I will use new stones at the beginning of every grow.



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Rubber airline, Tee fittings, back flow check valve and couplers:
Don’t forget to put an inline back flow check valve to keep water out of your pump. This is the blue fitting top left.



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Pumps:

Notice the placement, I have put them above floor level, back flow check valves inline. I have also placed them on a few layers of towel to lessen vibration and noise.



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Containers:

Once again, plastic buckets, Rubbermaid storage containers, varying sizes, applicable to your needs, situation etc. But they must have lids and be dark in color, to prevent light hitting the nutrient rich solution and algae growth. The lids will require 2 holes cut in them, more depending on the number of net pots it will hold. One hole for the airline and one hole to support the net pot. I will heat a screwdriver on the stove element and press it through the vinyl lids to accommodate the ¼” airline. I will trace the bottom of the net pot to the lid, add ¼-3/8” more to the tracing and then use utility knife to cut them out. Save and use the cutout for a template next time



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I like these step by step posts trying to convice my mate this is the way to go G

Another storage container, 8 gallons, notice the 12” stone. The bigger the container, the bigger the aeration requirements.



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2 ½ gallon buckets is what I prefer. Notice the airline running through the lid, the airstone goes in the bucket. Also notice the coupling on the line in end. This allows for easy detachment from the air supply line for service, nute change, easy removal, etc. 5 gallon buckets are fine, but remember, especially if you have height issuses. 2 ½ gallon buckets are about 12” shorter, so you have 12” height more to grow than with 5ers.



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