Blazeoneup's Recirculating DWC Construction Tutorial! (Professional & Very Detailed)

[hippie420]

Hey guy's as you can see from the title this is definitely not my work at all never made one of these, though I thinking about a 6 site version...lol guess we will see... Anyway's I remember this from back in the day and it's too fucking epic not to post everywhere honestly this is one the most detailed and profession DIY Hydro system and guide I have ever seen. Please don't be scare it's going to extremely long, but it's not that bad a large part is due to it's 102 step by step pictures!

Author: Blazeoneup of ICMag.com and Overgrow.com


Guys im back to share a recirculating dwc tutorial,Hope this helps some of you out there.Now let me hit the bong and get started

Introduction
Some of you may or may not be familiar with Recirculating Dwc,However it is just a multiple bucket version of Dwc "DEEP WATER CULTURE" that is all connected to a single controller,Where nutrients is pumped from a pump to the top of each bucket,And returns through the bottom of each bucket back to the controller,Basically continuously mixing the nutrient solution making it stable through-out the whole system.The controller will have a float valve installed where it is connected to a reservoir which will auto top/feed the system.Each bucket will have an airline and airstone/air difffuser.Or the controller will have a powerhead installed.This is how the water/nutrient solution will get its Do "DISSOLVED OXYGEN".

Pros
The Bennifits to this system are!You can cool the whole system using a single water chiller.The system will auto top off and mix nutrient solution 24/7 keeping ph and ppm stable from bucket to bucket.And the growth and vigor is explosive when optimized.

Cons
Well the drawbacks,#1 is that this system uses lots of water.#2 is that its recirculating,So if one plants root system gets effected it can/will spread through out the system.Though on this version i put shut off valve on each row to insure if problem accurs i can isolate it to one single row.Its also possible for the roots to clog the return line causing an overflow however in this version thats very unlikely.

Adding up the parts list
Ok this is a tutorial on a 12 bucket system,The parts list will vary depending on how many buckets.Each bucket will require 1x 1/4" straight barb,1x 1/4" barbed elbow,1x 3/4" ebb n flow fitting,1x 2' air diffuser or airstone.You will need some 3/4" tees and elbows,The ammount will vary depending on number of buckets and rows.For example im running 4 rows of 3 buckets,I will need 8 t's and 4 elbows for connecting the buckets in each row.Now for the controller you will need 1x ebb n flow fitting for each row you will be running,For example im doing 4 rows of 3 buckets,So i will need to be able to connect 4 return lines to the controller.The feed line will only need 1x 1/2" ebb n flow fitting the rest will be split through t's and tubing.I suggest always buy extra elbows and t's as you may need them either way remember this is a part list for a 12 bucket system.Also i suggest buying black buckets ordering off the net as i bought white buckets locally and spray painted them pain in the arse imo.So i reccomend purchasing black 5 gallon buckets.

Parts list
12x 5 gallon buckets
12x lids with 6" nets built in
12x 2' air diffusers
1x 18 gallon rubbermaid tub
1x 45 gallon reservoir
16x 3/4" elbows
16x 3/4" tee's
16x 3/4" (tub outlets) ebb n flow fittings
22x Ebb n Flow Screens
4x 3/4" shut off valves
2x 1/2" ebb n flow fittings
24x 1/4" straight barbs
70 7/8" hose clamps
12x 1/4" barbed elbows
4x 1/2" shut off valves
4x 1/2" end caps
100' 3/4" ID tubing
100' 1/4" ID tubing
50' 1/2" ID tubing
1x Float valve
1x eco 264 gph water pumps
2x eco 8 air pumps

Tools list
1x Drill
1x 3/16" bit
1x 3/8" bit
1x 1&1/4" hole saw bit with starter bit
1x Needle nose plyers
1x sharp knife
1x heavy duty scissors
Now i will post links to some places you can order all the supplies from!

You can get the 5 gallon buckets black cheap here!
Oops... File Can't Be Found

Now heres a couple links to places that carry all the rest of the equipment,Exept the 18 gallon rubber maids which can be ordered through home depot or lowes either one.
Texas*Hydroponics*&...
Worm's Way - Online source for Products, Supplies, Service, Support, and Info for all hydroponic, indoor, outdoor and organic gardening needs.

Time for a smoke break will finish this tutorial promtly!

[hippie420]

Part 1 "Prepairing the buckets"

If you did not purchase black buckets now is the time to light proof them,I used black spray paint.After the buckets are light proofed we are ready to move on to the next step.

First take the 1&1/4" hole saw bit with starter bit,To make the holes for the 3/4" ebb n flow fittings.

You want to drill about 1/4" above the lip at the bottom of the bucket.

After drilling the hole clean the access plastic and stripping away leaving a fairly smooth hole.

[hippie420]

Now get the ebb n flow fitting prepaired to instal to the bucket! For this you will need to unscrew the nut, And wrap the thread tape around the thread of the ebb n flow fitting, And shove the ebb n flow screens into the back of the ebb n flow fitting and your ready to install to the bucket. just insert the fitting as shown in the pics below.

[hippie420]

Now screw the nut back on tighten making sure its nice and secure.



Ok time to make the holes for our 1/4" barbs for the feed line and air line.

[hippie420]

Using the 3/16" bit we want to drill 2 holes right under the rim of the bucket at the top.Where we will install our 1/4" barbs.



Using needle nose plyers insert a 1/4" barbed elbow into the bottom hole.

[hippie420]

Now insert a 1/4" straight barb in the top hole.And using some type of glue i used liquid nail just seal around the edges of the barbs slightly not to leak proof it but to secure it as water will never reach this level.Or you can leave as is but the barbs will be slightly loose.Edit do not use a 1/4" straight barb for the feed line use a barbed elbow so the feed sprays towards the solution below not towards the net cups.I have to come back and edit this soon.

Ok now attach a piece of 1/4" tubing to the barbed elbow and run it to the diffuser which is lined into a circle at the bottom to basically shape up with the net cups.If using an airstone just run a line from it to your airstone.

Now that the buckets are all ready its time to install the 3/4" tee's and elbows to connect each row.I need 8 buckets with tee's and 4 with elbows.To do this just use a piece of 3/4" ID tubing about 3"-4" long to attach barb to barb and use the hose clamps to clamp the tubing the the ebb n flow fittings to insure a leak tight seal.

[hippie420]

Time to take a smoke break!

[hippie420]

Part 2 "Prepairing the controller"

For the controller i will need to install 4x 3/4" ebb n flow fittings,These will be for the return lines.Also need 1x 1/2" ebb n flow fitting installed,This will be for the Feed lines.Finally we will install the float valve.Using the 1&1/4" hole saw bit and starter bit,Drill 4 holes 1/4" above the bottom of the 18 gallon tub,These will be for the return lines.Then in the middle of them,About 3"-4" above them drill another one,This will be for the feed line.


Ok prepairing the 1/2" ebb n flow fitting to connect to a pump.For this we need a sharp knife and 1 piece of 3/4" ID tubing,1 piece of 5/8" ID tubing,And a 1/2" OD ebb n flow fitting.First shove the piece of 3/4" ID tubing into the back of the 1/2" OD ebb n flow fitting.Then shove the 5/8" ID tubing into the 3/4" ID tubing.Now take the knife and cut away any tubing sticking out.Now you can shove a piece of 1/2" Id tubing and connect it to the pump.

[hippie420]

Now insert the ebb n flow fittings,The 1/2" fitting goes in the top hole for the feed line,We needed to alter the 1/2" ebb n flow fitting so we can hook the pump to it.The other 4 on bottom are the return lines use the 3/4" fitting for them.

Now we need to drill the hole for the float valve.Using a 3/8" bit drill a hole on the side of the tub around 4"-5" from the top of the tub.

[hippie420]

Now take the float valve out and unscrew the barbed fitting and nut,Pull of the washer and rub the glue they provide with it all around the washer.And put the washer back on the float.

Now shove the float and washer with sealant on it through the 3/8" hole.

Ok time to put the nut on and tighten it down,Same way you done the nut on the ebb n flow fittings,Make sure its nice and tight securing the washer against the wall of the tub.