This article will go over how I made my DWC buckets. I've made a couple different DWC systems before, but this is the type I've had the best results with. The buckets are based off of a thread on grasscity(i believe), but with a couple things left out for simplicity/cost. All DWC systems are pretty much the same though, and with this guide you should be able to build one out of any container you want.



Heres a diagram I made of our dwc buckets. Basically the plant is suspended in a net pot which is filled with some kind of hydroponic medium, and hanging from the lid of the bucket over the bubbling nutrient solution. The roots will eventually grow out and hang into the water, and will be supplied oxygen from the airstone and pump.

Materials

• 5gal plastic bucket with lid
• net pot (mine are 6", might be a good idea to go a bit smaller like 5")
• air pump
• air stone
• hydroponic medium
• a couple feet of aquarium tube
• roll of aluminum tape
• razor/boxcutter/etc
• drill/something to punch holes in plastic
• optional: check valve

• Flip your netpot upside-down and place it on the center of your lid. Trace a circle around the lid of your bucket, and then cut it out. The net pots will sit in this.
• Coat the whole thing in aluminum tape, this will block light out which should prevent algae. Light's also not good for your roots. Don't forgot to tape the bottom, this never crossed my mind until one day i noticed there was light coming in through the bottom!
• Drill/punch a hole in the lid that will fit the air tube, run the tube through and connect one end to the airstone and the other to the air pump. It would also be a good idea to buy a check valve to prevent any fuckups with your pump. Some pumps come with them.
• That's basically it! Fill it up with water/nutes and plug the pump in, you're good to go !

• I use hydroton as a hydroponic medium, it's the only kind I've ever used and never really had a problem with it. Just be sure to wash them before use. Coco coir looks cool, I'd like to try it sometime though.
  
• More bubbles = good ! So get the heavy duty pump and the big airstones ! When I upgraded pumps I saw a HUGE difference. And it's like the only expensive thing in this whole system, so I'd really recommend getting a good one.
  
• It's recommended to clean out your buckets and replace the nutrients once a week, but you really can cheat and wait 2 weeks, I've even heard of people going every 3 weeks, but I wouldn't recommend that.
  
• Keep your air pump above your bucket. This helps prevent it from fucking up, basically.