View Full Version : is Iws system good to use
tap1966
27-09-11, 08:13 AM
I have been growin in soil for last 18 months and its been ok but just ok, I thinkin of buyin Iws flood and drain system, I never grow hydroponic's before so wanna be carefull with my money, I heard lot good news and bad news on both sides, can anyone advise please
Not really sure about Iws mate but im kind of the same as you been growing in soil for a while and fancy the big changer to water im going for DWC myself as this seems one of the simple water growing methods about.
Not really helping your question but you can build a DWC for under 20£ got to be worth a look
tap1966
27-09-11, 09:09 AM
Not sure wot dws is and how all works
Bobby Digital
27-09-11, 09:12 AM
Go have a look at Sean Mcpots iws grows, epic stuff, as for DWC deep water culture have a look at shrks waterfarm thread...
2 good ways of growing with really good results
This is true spot a dwc unit homemade can cost £20 but you also have to include an air pump/air stone, this will be £20 minimum for a decent one. Plus you have to think about an EC meter£10 on eBay but need a more trustworthy make as it's an essential bit of kit in any hydro grow. Also ph pen(same as ec meter)
I made a single DWC cloner from what I had in the house.
Soon converted it to a WILMA / DWC using a small fishtank pump. I'm using my pond water to feed the plant(aquaponics)
I'm well impressed with it as only after 3 days roots are showing and reaching for the water.
My only concern is when they get bigger how do you change the water in container.
See my posts for pics.
Good luck deciding on what to use.
yes iws is as good as any syatem as long as you use it right.. spend your time research ..and if it fits the you style of growing or you feel confdent enuff to do it, then go for it , the main thing with iws is that all you pot and pipes are level so that they all drain properly.
and dws i am not shure what that is if you meen dws then its all about the bubbles , search the tinterweb there is lots of info flying about
hope that helps
tempa
tap1966
27-09-11, 10:03 AM
Thanks a lot, think I gonna go with iws system, but gonna have a go at a dws system and build my own, thanks guys for ur help,
I have started my 1st grow in multiflow system (same as iws) after a few years growing in coco and it is seck...
They are defo bigger than coco after 4 weeks veg but i am a noooob at hydro so have had a few teething problems.. (thats why were here tho)
I drowned my 1st set of cuttings as i placed them to low down in the pebbles and I had to cover the holes on the res lid to stop light gettin in as alge was building up, now gone.
Feed can also get a bit expensive depending on what size res you get and the brand you use.
All I have to do is change the res weekly and check it daily.
IMO if you got the cash for it go get it man...
This is true spot a dwc unit homemade can cost £20 but you also have to include an air pump/air stone, this will be £20 minimum for a decent one. Plus you have to think about an EC meter£10 on eBay but need a more trustworthy make as it's an essential bit of kit in any hydro grow. Also ph pen(same as ec meter)
I made a single DWC cloner from what I had in the house.
Soon converted it to a WILMA / DWC using a small fishtank pump. I'm using my pond water to feed the plant(aquaponics)
I'm well impressed with it as only after 3 days roots are showing and reaching for the water.
My only concern is when they get bigger how do you change the water in container.
See my posts for pics.
Good luck deciding on what to use.
True about the ec pen and ph pen most people will own a ph pen, the way i look at it is the cost of compost for 10 plants for the whole cycle could set you back 20-30 quid a pop along with perlite this is one of the reason im switching along with faster growth.
I guess you could stick a valve at the bottom of the tank to empty it now and again.
Woody J
27-09-11, 11:06 AM
I can recommend DWC as the simplest hydro method, a perfect way to get used to dealing without soil and having lots of water around.
All hydro systems have benefits and drawbacks, it comes down to working out which suits you the best. Having used IWS, DWC and variants, NFT, Wilma, Flood & drain, I always go back to DWC for its simplicity v results.
One thing about costs, when you compare the running costs of DWC, when thinking about those meters and the pumps, think about the extra harvest per year!!! Because DWC consistantly gave me harvests a week earlier than my friend growing the same stuff in soil, it meant I got 7 harvests a year (in a perpetual setup) compared to his 6.
When you think about it, you cant buy a 1/4 of street weed for the price of those meters and air pump.
W
tap1966
27-09-11, 12:24 PM
Also this is my 1st time grow using hydro, lookin on the net, its info over load with nutes, so could some one recommend a good but easy nutes to use for seedlings, Veg and flower for hydro please I can get in England
Diddydon
27-09-11, 12:31 PM
Go have a look at Sean Mcpots iws grows, epic stuff, as for DWC deep water culture have a look at shrks waterfarm thread...
2 good ways of growing with really good results
I´m wid bobby d on that one mcots diary will help no end... here it is.. https://www.thctalk.com/cannabis-forum/showthread.php?44089-INTELLIGENT-WATERING-SYSTEM-DAIRY-%28take-2%29
Strider
27-09-11, 12:40 PM
the way i look at it is the cost of compost for 10 plants for the whole cycle could set you back 20-30 quid a pop along with perlite this is one of the reason im switching along with faster growth.
I guess you could stick a valve at the bottom of the tank to empty it now and again.
Aye, not to mention the friggin headache in transporting and disposing of soil, and got knows how waterlogged or full of wee beasties its going to be, and brands and formulas seem to change constantly, B&Q hardly ever sells the same shit two seasons in a row, so its always unpredictable :S
For emptying my DWC buckets i use a wee Hydor Inline pump to pump it into another bucket, just need to drop a pipe into the bucket as opposed to the whole pump
Goodbuddy
21-05-12, 10:18 AM
Out of date Question.
Been Answered.
Closing off.
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