I must apologize. I broke forum protocol by not listing all of the grow particulars in my first post. But since this is a grow and a review I think I can get away with it.
The Grow System
After studying every possible small grow method, I decided that a DIY Undercurrent Deep Water Culture system would work best for me. Soil and I just don't get along. I have never been successful with any gardens in the past. I believe that the weeds, insects, birds, and animals have all conspired against me in my endeavors. Sure, I could use soil inside but . . . it's dirt and well . . . it's dirty. I know what would happen. A recirculating hydroponic system seemed to offer the best potential.
My goal was to maximize the grow space as well as maintain a fairly large volume of water. My past experience with large fish tanks convinced me long ago that a large volume of water stays more stable for longer than a small one. In my poking around the net and here on 420 (the BEST resource btw), I saw a lot of great build options.
I decided that in my small grow space — a 2ft x 4ft tent — a multiple pail system would be limiting and unnecessary. With two large totes, I could have more root space than four buckets. An external reservoir would allow the best use of the tent space and a three tote system would also simplify the plumbing.
So . . .
Water: 2 x 12 gallon (45L) totes in the tent with a 17 gallon (64L) reserve outside. Combined they hold 117 liters (31 US gallons) of water at a 1" level below the pot bottom. A 250 gph pump circulates the water starting with 2" flow lines from the rez reducing to ½" after the second grow tank.
I will be using city water. It has a measured pH of 8.1. I have it knocked down to 6. A simple 2 stage filter gets rid of the chloramines. Hardness is 0.354 EC or 236 ppm on the 700 scale after filtering. I hemmed and hawed on water but I just had nowhere to install an RO unit (and no money left for one either). I brought a cold water line beside the grow by tapping off of a toilet in an adjacent room (this plumbing attempt leaked & leaked cause I truly suck at soldering so a big shout out to Sharkbite). A drain was just not possible though. I will empty the totes when I have to with a submersible pump that I had on hand and a garden hose. It only takes minutes. With this water volume I shouldn't need constant water changes anyway — I hope.
Air: All tanks have 2 x 12" air stones fed by a 6 outlet 793 gph air pump. You may have noticed in my picture in a previous post that I have suspended this demon from hell in the air with an old bungee cord. Can you guess why? The pump does the job very well though. Even at 3" down from the pots, the bubbles were easily hitting the baskets.
Ventilation: 4" exhaust fan with filter. Intake will be via lower tent vents — not fan-forced yet but I am open to it. Air circulation inside with the ubiquitous cheap clip-on fan.
Lighting: Mars-Hydro Epistar 160 LED. Minimum Par in the grow zone (the spec that really matters imho) is very good & should be more than sufficient for this grow.
Tent: 2 x 4 x 6 Mars-Hydro tent. Nice and sturdy and it is full.
Ian
