How to Set Up DIY Deep Water Culture (DWC) Hydroponic System?
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Deepwater culture hydroponic systems are a type of hydroponic system that has been used for hundreds of years.
Deepwater Culture (DWC) is a more advanced form of hydroponics because it requires less frequent watering than other types of hydroponic systems.
This blog post will discuss how to set up your own deep water culture-type hydroponic system!
This DWC system is a great way to get into the world of hydroponics and learn about one of the most popular types of systems available.
You won’t believe how easy it is to set up your own Deep Water Culture type Hydroponic System!
What Do You Need to Set Up a DWC System?
Let’s get started on how you can make one for yourself!
To set up a DWC system, you will need:
- A container or tank that is large enough to hold your plants and solution, which will serve as your reservoir for storing nutrients and water
- An air pump
- A bubbler or air stone
- Net pots
- Nutrients
- Grow medium (ex: Rockwool)
- Clones
- A timer — Optional
You may want to buy above items one or more. If so click the links below to select the best product fit for your lovely garden
DWC container, Air pump, Air stone, Net pots, Nutrients, Growing medium, Seeds or clones, Timer
Related:
10 Tips for the DIY: Deep Water Culture (DWC) Hydroponics Systems
10 Essential Tools for Indoor Home-Based Hydroponic Gardeners.
How to Choose the Right Hydroponic Grow Light for Plants?
How to Set up a Deep Water Culture Type Hydroponic System?
The following is a step-by-step guide to setting up a deep water culture type hydroponic system:
- The first step is to choose the right location for your hydroponic system. It’s essential to make sure that the place you choose has plenty of light and is also in a warm spot.
- The next step is to set up your grow beds. You can either buy them or make them yourself. Make sure that they are sturdy and watertight if you’re making them yourself.
- Cut holes in the container for your plants and airstones, leaving about 1 inch between them so there will be room for the bubbling action.
- Next, you need to set up your nutrient tank. This is where you will store the nutrient solution you will be using in your hydroponic system. You don’t want anything taller than seven inches because it may interfere with the pump’s ability to circulate air properly throughout your system (there should only be three inches from the top of the water to the bottom of your growing medium).
- Now, fill your nutrient tank with water. It would help if you used a pH adjusting agent and a chlorine remover so that the water is both clean and ready for you to use in your system. If you are using tap water, make sure it has been left out overnight so that the chlorine can dissipate before adding it to your hydroponic system. After letting your water sit out overnight, you will need to check the pH level using a pH testing kit. If it is below 7.0, use the appropriate methods to raise it to between 6.5 and 7.0.
- Now that your water has been tested, it is time to add the nutrients to feed your plants. There are various nutrient formulas on the market that can provide everything your plants need in a given period. You can buy these pre-made or make your own. If you’re making it yourself, be sure to use the correct ratio for whatever type of plants you will have in this system and test every time before adding nutrients from mixing too many times! Still, you want a formula with a balanced NPK ratio.
- Next, you need to add air to your system using an airstone and air pump. Find a place for your air stones! You want to put them in the corners of your container or towards the bottom (if using a deep water culture system with many plants). Put your airstones in the container and turn on the pump for about one hour while setting up the system to ensure no leaks.
- Run your airstone tubes through the holes you cut in the container (make sure they’re at least 4 inches above where your grow medium will be) and drop them into the water so that they sit on top of it.
- You will also need to add a water pump and filter to ensure that the nutrient solution gets cleaned and returned to the tank without any problems. It is important that whatever you choose has enough power to move the amount of water you will be working with. The bigger your Deep Water Culture System gets, the more powerful the pump you will need. This one should work for up to five gallons of water.
- If you are using a timer, plug it, put it next to where your plants will be (or on a nearby wall), and plug everything else into it: air pump, bubbler, and lights.
- Now, you need to add your plants and seedlings into your grow beds or net pots with your growing medium before placing them on top of your water pump.
- After your plants have been placed in their beds, you need to attach the air hose from the air pump to the airstone and place it at the bottom of your grow bed or pot so that there is a constant flow of bubbles rising through your system.
- Finally, plug in your pump and give it a few minutes to get started.
Related:
How Deep Water Culture (DWC) Hydroponic System Works?
How to Set Up a Hydroponic Drip System
The Difference Between Kratky and DWC Hydroponic Systems
If you are looking to buy complete kit for Deep Water Culture hydroponic system click this link to select the best one suited for you.
In Conclusion
Deep Water Culture Hydroponics is the easiest and most sustainable way to garden! All you need is a Deep Water Culture System and some plants — it’s that simple!
Deep Water Culture Systems are easy to set up and don’t require much maintenance, so they’re perfect for beginners!
You will need to check on your plants regularly, but other than that, it is a very low-stress system!
If you’re looking to set up your own Deep Water Culture type Hydroponic System, then this guide is for you!
By following these simple steps, you’ll be on your way to harvesting healthy plants in no time!
Thank you for reading!
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