Cheap DWC... Is it possible?

[chico24]

I'm doing a bunch of reading, and getting the itch to try DWC for my peppers.

My question is this: What is the least expensive method for a DIYer?

I know hobbies are a "pay to play" scenario, but I also want to keep it as simple as possible.

I have a space of about 6' x 6' available indoors (with no windows), so limited space is also a factor.

Any ideas or useful links?

Cheers

 

[millworkman]

Get a bucket with a lid from a big box store(5-6 bucks)
Get a cheap aquarium air pump(5-10 bucks)
Get a plant in a plastic cup and cut a bunch of holes in the bottom so the roots can make it down.
Get some nutrients, cheapest I have found is Maxibloom. It can be used from start to finish with pepper plants.

 

[smokemaster]

air stone,net pot,couple feet of 1/8th in. tubing.

Plant is 3+ft X 4ft wide.

For a few bucks more get the 8in pot,smaller ones tip over,you'll need to prop the plant up.
I use a piece of 1/2-3/8 tube to pump water up to the pot surface.Works like an aquarium filter - air bubble pushes water up the tube.

 

[bricke]

most expencive is the nuts and bulbs search youtube alot of great vids there also youtube dyi growlights

 

[chico24]

most expencive is the nuts and bulbs search youtube alot of great vids there also youtube dyi growlights

Between Youtube and THP, there there really isn't more time in my day to visit any other websites! What did we do before the interwebs?

 

[Island_Dan]

Okay here is absolute cheapest. Go to a restaurant, burger joint and ask for a 5 gallon bucket. They purchase pickles etc in 5 gallon buckets and will often give them away free. 6 inch net pot cost $0.80 about. Cut hole in top of bucket and insert pot. Go to goodwill and grab a used aquarium pump for $2 and used air stone for a couple cents and buy 5 feet of tubing from pet store for $0.10 a foot. Clean bucket with H2O2, wash grow media with H2O2, could be a small bag of hydrotone for $10 or a bag of 1/4 inch lava rock for $3. Most expensive part is the nutes. I buy botanicare pure blend pro grow. In a quart bottle for $15 about I think. Depending on how you do it, that's a DWC for under $25... Cheapest way I have found anyway.

 

[bricke]

+1
and if u got a old duct piece laying around, a old applaince cord and a light socket all u need is aCFL 100watt day ur all set

 

[amps]

My local hydro store has dwc bucket lids for $3. Thinking about picking one up to try out with my DIY LED light.

 

[scratchzilla]

yeah the lidswith the built it net pots are great.

My DWC buckets(seen in my growlog) are made from materials I stole from the restaurant I worked for. Pumps, stones and nutes cost me about 5 bucks total, but I splurged and bought way more stones than I needed, with a hope to expand eventually.

 

[Island_Dan]

To be really cheap, put it by a window haha. But I will post pics of my home made CFL light setup which used a duct tube sliced down one side as a reflector.