Grow Mediums DWC bucket size

[dcat0921]

Ok I see most people here - myself included so far - using 5 gallon buckets. Besides allowing for larger plants is there any good reason not to use 3.5 gallon buckets? Will probably be adding a 2x4 tent to my room and was thinking of adding another bucket in there but would also like to be able to throw some soil pots in with it and don't want to run out of room by using a 5 gallon...
What's everyone's opinion here...many of you have done this more often so any advice or opinions are welcome.

 

[Anasazi]

I would say a smaller bucket is harder to handle ph but you use ph perfect nutes so I dunno if that would really effect it much haha. It's also harder to control water temp. Those are the only things I can think of off the top of my head. Regardless though there are people who totally use those 3.5 gal buckets with great success.

 

[HotBunz]

I use the 3.5gallon bucket because I am limited in height in my cabinet. I can't risk losing those extra few inches to a 5gallon bucket. I don't feel bucket size correlates much to plant size with a DWC as much as in a soil grow. I have seen a picture of a 5 foot tall plant grown in a mini 1 gallon DWC. As for rez/bucket temps....my buckets run in the low 80's and I have not had a problem(using Hydroguard). I have gotten away from the whole weekly bucket changes. Since doing so my PH stays very stable using GH Flora GRO, MICRO and BLOOM.

 

[Anasazi]

I use the 3.5gallon bucket because I am limited in height in my cabinet. I can't risk losing those extra few inches to a 5gallon bucket. I don't feel bucket size correlates much to plant size with a DWC as much as in a soil grow. I have seen a picture of a 5 foot tall plant grown in a mini 1 gallon DWC. As for rez/bucket temps....my buckets run in the low 80's and I have not had a problem(using Hydroguard). I have gotten away from the whole weekly bucket changes. Since doing so my PH stays very stable using GH Flora GRO, MICRO and BLOOM.

Really nice to see someone else here who doesn't change the res every week.

 

[Gunner]

I am running. 3x3 tent with currently 3 5gallon buckets and 1 more on the way. I was on the fence about the 3gallon vs 5gallon. Wanted to fit more plants so was gonna do 3 gallon.During my first grow I was changing the buckets err 2-3 weeks. Now after a lil learning don't change until the first week of flower then just keep topping off until time to flush. Glad I went with 5 gallons because the root ball takes up the entire bucket. Going through a Gallon and a half every other day. I can just imagine if I used 3 gallons once the plant has some size might need to fill daily.

 

[Anasazi]

I am running. 3x3 tent with currently 3 5gallon buckets and 1 more on the way. I was on the fence about the 3gallon vs 5gallon. Wanted to fit more plants so was gonna do 3 gallon.During my first grow I was changing the buckets err 2-3 weeks. Now after a lil learning don't change until the first week of flower then just keep topping off until time to flush. Glad I went with 5 gallons because the root ball takes up the entire bucket. Going through a Gallon and a half every other day. I can just imagine if I used 3 gallons once the plant has some size might need to fill daily.

Wow you fit 3 dwc plants in a 3x3. I was scared to do two

 

[Gunner]

Wow you fit 3 dwc plants in a 3x3. I was scared to do two

Shit 3 it's about to be 4 At first I was. But just training your plants is important to maximize your space. First grow did do much but feed and let grow. But this go round using a lot of LST is going to be very important. I thinks if I can manipulate them right il bee good.

 

[jtrain252]

I would think 3.5 gallons would suck for refilling. I mean my 5 gallon only holds 4 and drinks 1 gallon a day.

If anything I want to go bigger like a tote so I can have a bigger rez,less refill days, lower rez height but to each there own.

 

[IndicaIVoz]

I would think 3.5 gallons would suck for refilling. I mean my 5 gallon only holds 4 and drinks 1 gallon a day.

If anything I want to go bigger like a tote so I can have a bigger rez,less refill days, lower rez height but to each there own.

yeah refilling would really suck..unless you had rdwc,but I find the idea of rdwc to much work I think.

 

[IndicaIVoz]

but has anyone got just a simple like gravity feed setup for Dwc i don't think I've seen one..in theory they could be as small as a milk carton stuck to the side of a res or as big as you like..