Deep water culture (DWC) hydroponics is the most simple hydroponic system for new and experienced indoor growers alike. This system is called deep water culture and is a hydroponic growing method.
A basic DWC setup consists of a reservoir, air pump, air stone, and net pots. DWC systems can be constructed from different materials, offering flexibility for various setups. DWC is used to grow plants efficiently and is popular for both home and commercial crop production. In this system, the roots are suspended in a well oxygenated solution, allowing for continuous nutrient uptake and healthy plant growth.
Introduction to Hydroponic Systems
Hydroponic systems offer a modern approach to growing plants by eliminating the need for soil and instead using a nutrient-rich solution to deliver everything plants need directly to their roots. Among the various hydroponic growing methods, deep water culture (DWC) stands out for its simplicity and effectiveness. In DWC systems, plant roots are suspended in a well-oxygenated nutrient solution, allowing for rapid nutrient uptake and robust plant growth. Essential components like a reservoir, air pump, and net pots work together to create an ideal environment for crops such as leafy greens, herbs, and many other plants. By maintaining a stable water culture and providing consistent access to nutrients and oxygen, DWC systems can help growers achieve impressive yields and healthy, vigorous plants, whether at home or in commercial operations.
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, although some systems may use a submersible pump for circulation, especially in larger or commercial setups. An air pump and air stone provide continuous oxygen to the root zone, preventing plants from drowning, and the majority of the root mass is fully submerged in the solution. Compared to other systems and other methods like ebb and flow or aeroponics, most DWC systems feature a reservoir or production pond, and some use floating rafts to suspend plants above the nutrient solution. Maintaining the right temperature of the nutrient solution and proper air temperature is crucial to ensure optimal oxygen level for healthy plant growth.
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
Larger water volumes in DWC systems provide more stability for nutrient and pH levels, which means less frequent monitoring and adjustments are needed. -
Fast-growing time
Plants grown in DWC often develop faster than those in soil, thanks to the constant access to oxygenated nutrient solution. -
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 a consistent temperature in the reservoir
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Managing nutrient and oxygen needs throughout the plant's life cycle can be challenging, as different stages require different conditions
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Growing larger fruits such as squash, tomatoes, and peppers in DWC may require additional support and careful management to ensure proper development
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, as a pH meter is essential for monitoring pH levels. Additionally, using a dissolved oxygen meter allows you to measure how much oxygen is in the nutrient solution, ensuring optimal conditions for plant roots. 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. Monitoring electrical conductivity and nutrient concentration is crucial to ensure optimal plant health and prevent nutrient imbalances.
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. You may also consider adding beneficial bacteria to the reservoir to promote a healthy root environment. 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. Most plants thrive within a specific pH range and nutrient concentration, so it’s important to monitor and adjust these factors for optimal growth. 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. In DWC systems, you can grow leafy greens, grow tomatoes, and cultivate different herbs, making it a versatile method for a variety of crops.
Building a Deep Water Culture System
Setting up a deep water culture system is straightforward and accessible for growers of all experience levels. Start by selecting a suitable reservoir—this could be a sturdy plastic bucket or a custom-built tank—ensuring it’s large enough to accommodate both the nutrient solution and the expanding plant roots. Next, install an air pump and connect it to an air stone placed at the bottom of the reservoir. The air pump should deliver enough air volume to keep the nutrient solution properly oxygenated, which is crucial for healthy root development. Net pots are then used to hold the plants above the water’s surface, allowing the roots to dangle freely into the deep water below. With these components in place, your DWC system will provide a stable, oxygen-rich environment that supports vigorous plant growth and efficient nutrient absorption.
Growing Media Options for DWC Hydroponics
Choosing the right growing media is an important step in optimizing your deep water culture system. While the plant roots ultimately grow directly in the nutrient solution, a small amount of growing media is used in the net pots to anchor seedlings and support early root development. Popular options for DWC hydroponics include Rockwool, clay pebbles, and coco coir. Rockwool is favored for its inert properties and excellent water retention, making it easy to maintain stable pH levels in your nutrient solution. Clay pebbles are lightweight, reusable, and provide good aeration around the root zone. Coco coir offers a sustainable alternative with natural moisture retention and is gentle on young roots. Selecting the best growing media for your DWC system depends on your crop choice and personal preferences, but all these options can help create a healthy environment for your plants to thrive in deep water culture.
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. For small scale setups, a simple 5 gallon growth module is great for hobby growers or beginners with limited space, and individual buckets are a common setup for single plant systems. Larger growth modules like the 35 gallon growth module will allow for bigger plants. Recirculating deep water culture systems, which connect multiple buckets to a central reservoir for efficient nutrient circulation, are designed for larger or commercial growers who require scalable solutions. Commercial growers often use advanced DWC systems for large-scale production.
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
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. Agitation at the water's surface helps oxygenate the nutrient solution, which is essential for plant health. Maintaining aerated water is crucial for healthy root development and optimal plant growth. 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!
As always, our experienced growers are waiting to help you! Give us a call at 888-815-9763!
