by Lee G . Lyzit
Q
a
I have a question about the nutrient solution level in my cannabis DWC system . How far below the net pot should the nutrient solution be for the vegetative stage and for the flowering stage ? Thank you .
— Martin Ripley
Thank you for your question . Deep water culture ( DWC ) is a great high-performance hydroponic system . In fact , when done correctly , there are few growing systems that can rival the speed of growth achieved with DWC . Due to their speed , DWC systems are favorites for gardeners who want to grow big cannabis plants as fast as possible . The accelerated rate of growth is set in motion by the root ’ s constant access to nutrients , water , and dissolved oxygen . In a DWC system , the plant ’ s root mass is mostly submerged in the nutrient solution and additional oxygen is delivered via an air pump ( or other means ). Deep water culture systems perform the best when the water temperature is kept between 65-70 ° F . This is because of the direct relationship between temperature and dissolved oxygen . Generally , the warmer the water temperature , the lower the dissolved oxygen content . When the nutrient solution is kept within the desired range , the plant ’ s roots have access to adequate dissolved oxygen and the plants will thrive . Many cannabis hobbyists experiment with DWC because an individual module can be made from a five gallon bucket and a small aquarium pump . For most beginners experimenting with DWC , the major downfall is fluctuating water temperatures . Water temperature fluctuation is unforgivable , especially when the temperature exceeds 75 ° F . As water gets warmer , it loses its ability to hold dissolved oxygen . This , in turn , leaves a plant ’ s root mass susceptible to anaerobic pathogens . The best way to ensure success with a DWC system is to monitor and maintain dissolved oxygen .
The dissolved oxygen concentration of a nutrient solution can be measured with a device known as a dissolved oxygen meter . A dissolved oxygen meter will give a reading ( in PPM ) of the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the solution . A very general rule of thumb for hydroponic gardeners is to try to maintain a dissolved oxygen content of at least 6-9ppm within the nutrient solution .
When I operated DWC systems in my cannabis garden , I kept my nutrient solution about an inch below the bottom of the net basket . I would advise you to avoid submerging the net basket itself . Anywhere just below the bottom of the net basket is acceptable , as long as the roots are mostly submersed in the nutrient solution . That being said , the most important factor for successful DWC systems is the dissolved oxygen content of the solution . Since the roots are completely submerged in the nutrient solution , the only access they have to oxygen is via dissolved oxygen . As for having different solution levels in the growing module for vegetative versus flowering stages of growth , this is not necessary if all the parameters of the nutrient solution are in the desired range . The beauty of a DWC system is that everything the plant ’ s roots need is literally surrounding the root mass . As long as the nutrient concentration , the pH , and the dissolved oxygen content are in check , a DWC system will perform up to its potential . I hope this answers your question .
Keep on Growing , Lee G . Lyzit
LL
Lee G . Lyzit has been involved in the cannabis industry for nearly 20 years . His passion for natural healing motivates him to learn as much as he can about the miraculous cannabis plant . Lee ’ s knowledge of cannabis gardening stems from his own extensive cultivation experiences and his past work as a hydroponic shop owner and manager .
14 Maximum Yield