Deep Water Culture! DWC Basics

Want to get huge yields? Use deep water culture

Many of you may have heard about, or even use hydroponics for growing cannabis plants.
However, how may of you have heard about deep water culture, or DWC?

If you have heard of DWC, then how about bubbleponics (yes, that really is a word), or top-fed DWC as it is also known?

Seems there is more to hydroponics than first meets the eye.

So, what is deep water culture?

Unlike certain hydroponic methods, DWC uses no growing medium such as coco coir or peat moss, who sound like a couple of social media influencers!

Bubbleponics involves the use of a water pump within the water reservoir which is then connected to small tubes. The plants themselves are suspended in the water within a net ‘pot’ and the tubes from the pump deliver oxygen-and nutrient-rich water directly to the root system.

This speeds up root growth and creates better-established plants.

DWC then goes further with RDWC, which stands for Recirculating deep water culture.
Here, the RDWC system involves a standalone reservoir containing a nutrient solution. By way of gravity, the solution then feeds into another container equipped with an air stone that aerates the water.

A pump then forces the water through tubes that connect a series of containers, each holding an individual plant, before it recirculates back into the reservoir.

The benefit of this system is that it avoids having to install an individual air stone for each plant.
The advantages of a DWC system are well established: faster vegetative growth and bigger yields, reduced problem of pests, plants can grow appreciably larger, the system is low maintenance, and of course, you don’t have to worry about watering the plants!

A DWC system isn’t without its problems though. An air pump failure could be catastrophic if it remains out of action for any noticeable period of time.
Then, of course, you have to maintain the temperature of the water at a constant level between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius.

You have to constantly check the nutrient levels and pH of the water. However, in the whole scheme of things, DWC is probably the most hassle-free way to grow healthy and productive cannabis plants.

But what about you? Have you grown using the DWC method, or thinking about trying it out in the future, let us know in the comment section below.

[seanbrooks]

yeah Im a newbie growing in DWC, , , , just about to chop my 1st plant, , , and wow looking to harvest around 120-150gms dry, , , awesome growth totally unexpected, , , , keep things simple, , , , it does take alot of time to learn and understand, , , as your constantly checking PPM PH, , , temps, RH, etc, , , but soons you learn how to dial all this in, , , you get to understand your plants needs by following your data, , , , and when you get this down, , , its not so much effort then, , , as you know your system, , , and would know its all settled, , , and you hit that sweet spot, , , , and you just watch your plant and the data, , , and act accordingly, , , guys always said to me just watch you plant closely and she will tell you what she needs, , and if your following the data you can re-act accordingly, , , , I had no issue up till wk6 flower, , , Calmag issue but was done to using stronger led for the flower, which was BP4000, , , but apart from that no issues, , , as was following above, , , , being be a newbie wasnt aware of above, , , but will top up the Calmag in veg ready for the 2nd grow, , , but yeah if you got abit of time then jump in, , , but beware things can go down hill in an instant, , , if not checked regulary

[timm_r]

I agree with this statement. Just make sure you get your water straight first.

[raymondvaughn]

Make sure on your switchover to flowering. The pH drops almost 2 points when you put the first flowering package in. It'll kill a plant in 12 hrs if you forget. Like my cat peeing in soil and absolutely frying it

[AYDTMAN]

I use a RDWC system, it's AWESOME! My only problem is I need more room. Otherwise it's easy! I have to get growing again!

[donniedarko]

dwc is the way i go and im very happy with it. I can recommend

[karegairegi]

I'm a "set it & forget it" type of guy... My system is fully automated & RDWC allows me to attend to all of my plants at once instead of individually.
The system also produces larger yields.
RDWC is the more expensive method which understandably deter most but if you got the money there's no comparison IMO!
I'm all set with the "insects, super soils & compost teas."
I just purchased an "Alien V~System" & I'm beyond impressed!

[mars]

Definitely wanna try out this method, I grow in soil now but dwc is goals

[derekmckiernan]

I’m new
Auto gorilla glue in DWC
Wow
After a few problems early I finally got it right the growth is amazing

[natibudz]

This just complicates something that is so easy, great job

[lacarte]

Plan on trying once I get a new house.

[rmcnasty]

If u want BIG Buds
Get a small kids inflatable pool or Large fish tank, Drop in a sump pump . Pump the dirty, do do brown water through a copper tubing rolled in a coil. Mounted in front of a window AC. Chilling water. Pump into your system . Then bump out through a filter & water bucket with a UV light, then back to fish tank. Use a Bluetooth Temp /EC/PH /Air Temp.
Sensor system. Do not use soil plant food in hydroponic systems

[roberttaggart]

Hassle free 😂, Keeping on top of everything, go Organic your never look back 🌱

[michaelirwin]

Why DWC Hydroponics? Would a dual root zone flood and drain with aquaponics work better? For no chemicals

[danledbetter]

Hello, I'm building a DWC system ( my first one) I have a question here, how often will I need to change the water solution in my grow container?, the grow container will hold aprox. 25 gallons of solution

[josephjones]

I’ve been growing using DWC for years it’s the only way to home grow

[croach]

Ive done organic and synthetic. Organic is the way. I have other things to do in my life and wondering if ive given her enough nutes or if the p.h is right. Enough water to drive through the plant to prevent salt build up. I will take the less stress please and thank you

[dannymack]

I just got an Earthbox from Build-A-Soil and I am absolutely loving this thing. Check em out.

[ponyboymb]

Iv been using, nft! Getting groth, but root's are not the best!! Ph is on point ☝️ The water pump is oxygenating the water, , but still root's suffering!!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[stephengrowcott]

im thinking of doing this method the question i have is when the system is all set up how do i get the nutrients correct as all buckets need to be thee quarters full when starting its probably a simple fix all help greatly appreciated im a newby at DWC regards all

[ANDROLOMA]

0:14 the method I used. It works, but my yields were low. Flower quality is great, but there has to be a better way to increase yield.