Deep water culture (DWC) hydroponics is the most simple hydroponic system for new and experienced indoor growers alike.
How do DWC hydroponics systems work?
In a recirculating DWC system, plant roots are suspended directly in a hydroponic nutrient solution. This solution is housed by a hydroponic reservoir. Since the roots stay in this reservoir throughout their life, there is no need for a water pump. An air pump and air stone provide continuous oxygen to the root zone, preventing plants from drowning.
DWC hydroponics is great for new growers because there are only a few components. Unlike hydroponic drip systems or aeroponic systems, there are no nozzles that can get clogged. This drastically cuts down on required maintenance for your DWC system.
Once you get your system set up, it's smooth sailing! Though hydroponics is generally not a cakewalk.
Pros of DWC hydroponic systems
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Low maintenance
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Fast growing time
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Minimal moving parts
Cons of DWC hydroponic systems
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pH and water level can fluctuate
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Easy to overfeed or underfeed
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Difficult to maintain consistent temperature in reservoir
The hardest parts of growing with DWC hydro systems
Most of the problems with DWC systems come down to human error. This is why we encourage beginner growers to start with soil. However, it helps if you use a thermometer/hygrometer and a pH pen. This makes it easy to prevent many of the issues that arise with this style of growing!
Dosing nutrients correctly is also very important as there is no buffer (like with soil). Mistakes made with feeding are magnified because of this.
For large commercial DWC systems, it usually makes more sense to just use a nutrient and pH dosers. These help maintain the best conditions in your water culture system and prevent human error. On that note, let's quickly discuss hydro nutrients.
Feeding nutrients in a DWC hydroponics system
You can't feed the same nutrients you feed to your soil plants when using a DWC system. In general, hydroponic systems require specific hydroponic nutrients. This will prevent any clogs in your system, and keep everything running smoothly.
We'll discuss it more in-depth below, but you'll need to change the nutrient solution every so often. Your nutrient schedule will likely tell you the specifications for this.
Choosing the right DWC hydroponic system
Determining which DWC system is best for you will depend on a few factors. These include your budget, your growing space, and how many plants you want to grow. A simple 5 gallon growth module is great for hobby growers looking to get started with DWC hydroponics. Larger growth modules like the 35 gallon growth module will allow for bigger plants.
Single vs Modular DWC systems
DWC systems can be broken down into two categories - single and modular. A single system is exactly what it sounds like - just one growth module that houses one plant. These are great for hobby growers, because you can just focus your efforts on one plant.
There are also modular systems, which are several growth modules connected to a central reservoir. These are considered "active" systems, because the water/nutrient solution is transported from the central reservoir to the individual growth modules.
Plant Count
Also consider how many plants you want to grow. If you are planning on growing in a small grow tent or spare bedroom indoors, 1-10 plants is probably plenty. If you are setting up a commercial greenhouse or warehouse you may want something larger though. Larger systems that can house 30-40 plants will be a more efficient use of space.
Hobby growers with a smaller budget can see huge yields with just a simple 5-gallon bucket system. You can get an incredible DWC hydroponic system for 8 plants for under $200! Active Aqua is a great brand for affordable DWC systems.
What is the best DWC system?
We recently put together a guide on the best hydroponic systems of this year. Without a doubt, the Current Culture Under Current systems are the best DWC systems money can buy. These systems have long been the gold standard when it comes to deep water culture. They really do offer a system for every grower, including:
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Solo Systems
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Standard Systems
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Evolution Systems
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Double Barrel Systems
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Pro Systems
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Boneless Systems
All of the DWC systems we carry here at Hydrobuilder will help you get huge yields whether you're new or experienced. But, if you are a serious grower looking for the best of the best, stick with Current Culture Under Current systems.
Deep Water Culture (DWC) Hydroponics Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the most common questions we get regarding deep water culture hydroponics. Give us a call or send us an email if you have any questions and we'll get back to you asap!
How often should I change water in a DWC system?
During the veg stage, you should change the water at least once every 14 days. Timing can vary depending on the nutrients mix you are using. This prevents any contaminants from taking over the system.
During flowering, you will want to change the water every week (7 days). During this stage your plants have increased nutritional needs. You’ll need to stay on top of this to maximize production.
Plus, if you do not change the water in the reservoir regularly, your plants will show signs of stress.
What should water temperature be for DWC hydroponics?
The temperature of your reservoir water is very important in deep water culture hydroponics. If the water is too cold, your plant will think it's time to go to sleep and will stop growing. If the water is too hot, the dissolved oxygen levels will drop. This prevents the plant from absorbing nutrients.
To keep your plants healthy, maintain a water temp between 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit. Hydroponic water chillers and heaters will help keep your system in the optimal temperature range. This is best if you live in an area where you can’t control the climate.
How much of the plant should be submerged in the DWC system?
The only part of your plant that should be in the nutrient solution is the root system itself. If the main stem or any leaves soak in this they could burn. These areas could also develop fungus or mold.
Be sure to keep wicking grow medium (rockwool) an inch above the water line in your growth module. This ensures it doesn’t drown your actual plant. This may mean you need to hand feed for a few days until your roots grow deeper into the module.
If you want to learn more about hydro, our learning center is the perfect tool! Our Hydroponics 101 guide will help you understand DWC style growing better. You can also learn about other types of hydroponics methods and systems! We also have an article discussing the differences between aeroponics and hydroponics, because these do vary slightly.
As always, our experienced growers are waiting to help you! Give us a call at 888-815-9763!