Heres the Series
Here is the parts list and the videos for the do it yourself build on a 12 bucket RDWC system
You will need all of the following, If i miss anything you guys can help correct me or make a suggestion
I strongly suggest you watch the videos FIRST before you buy a bunch of parts. everything you need to know is all in this video
I have explained everything in very good detail on how to build this.
Tools you will need
Something to cut all the pipe and bulkheads.I used a compound miter saw to cut everything. Its super easy. If you dont wanna buy a cheap one than borrow one. otherwise youll have to hand cut everything with a hand saw
A Big pair of channel locks. big enough to tighten the bulkhead nut. Its like 2 inches so a 3 inch set will work
A drill to drill all the holes.
A 2 1/4" Hole saw, the pipes are 1 and a half but the bulkhead threads are wider so the hole needs to be bigger for the bulkhead to go in.
A 6 inch hole saw for the net pot holes in the lids
A 1/4 inch drill bit for the holes in the bucket for the shut off valve and top off resovior
You will need 12 buckets plus 1 control bucket from here.
13 of these
For a 6 or 8 bucket system the principle still applies here. you just use the system buckets and always add 1 more for the control bucket.
ttps://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-13650BL/Pails/Square-Pail-4-Gallon-Black?model=S-13650BL&RootChecked=yes
Also get the lids
Tear-tab lids protect contents. FDA compliant. Use with 4 Gallon Square Pail .ULINE offers over 41,000 boxes, plastic poly bags, mailing tubes, warehouse supplies and bubble wrap for your storage, packaging, or shipping supplies.
www.uline.com
You will need 3 - 10 foot or 8 foot 1 and a half inch pvc pipe. you can also opt to use 2 inch if you want but i find 1 and a half is enough, 2 inch will be slightly more expensive.
You dont have to buy this stuff at Lowes but im only showing the parts so you know what to get. Any schedule 40 pipe will work.
1 - 8 or 10 foot 3/4 inch sch 40 piece of pipe.
You will need 4 of these
1 of these to reduce the 1 and 1/2 inch down to the 3/4 inch hose that goes to your pump
1 of these to screw your hose into after you connect it to the 3/4 inch pipe. its all in the videos.
1 of these to screw your return line hose to and this will have a 3 inch pipe inserted into it that goes into your control bucket
1 of these to put in your control bucket, to connect the control bucket to your top off reservoir.Regular 1/4 inch black air hose will work.
This float valve comes with a 1/4
growershouse.com
1 of these to screw under your top off reservoir. Your fill hose that goes to your control bucket will push into this under your top off reservoir.
A rubber washer with a 1/4 inch inside hole to go on first before you put in the hole under the top off res,
And screw this on top of it to hold it in place. you will need to cut the top off this cause all you need are the threads that will screw over the fitting you pushed up from underneath. this part is the most pain in the ass to try to explain so watch the videos before you start any of this. Its all in the videos.
You will Need two of these for every bucket in your system. So if you have a 6 bucket you will need 12 of these, 12 bucket will be 24 and so on.
You will need this in 1 1/2 " . As i said before you can go 2 inch if you want but make sure you upgrade the other fittings in the list to all 2 inch.
www.marinedepot.com
An inline water pump, at least 450 GPH, Keep in mind the bigger pumps will have 1 inch hose inlet so you will have to modify the inlet from a water hose fitting to be able to insert the hose. I used a 1 inch rubber hose and just inserted the 3/4 inch PVC pipe into it. Use the same adapter that goes into your control bucket to make it work. I will insert a picture later here to clarify. If you look at the beginning of video 8 you can see what i use to connect the 3/4 inch line to a 1 inch Pump
An inline filter , something I added later that has been awesome. You can buy a regular garden hose from wal mart or wherever and buy the hose repair fittings and get some hose clamps, The regular water hose fittings will screw on this. I put this after the pump going up before it goes into the chiller and has been a very nice addition.
Removes dirt particles from water supply and feeds plants automatically as they are watered. Recommended for well water. Includes hose/pipe swivel coupling. Replacement polyester screen element. 150 Mesh (100 Micron) Filter Screen Elements for "Y" Filt
growershouse.com
A can of purple primer
A can of this for the glue,
It has to be multi purpose because the bulkheads are CPVC and this will only seal them
I will update anything i left out or add to it
Watch this first
The steps I took in beating pythium and root rot in dwc.
youtu.be
PART 1
PART 2
PART 3
PART 4
PART 5
