Did you know that maintaining the correct pH in your hydroponic system can significantly increase your plant yields?
For DWC (Deep Water Culture) hydroponics methods, using a pH controller can ensure your plant roots will be submerged in a perfectly pH-balanced feeding solution, when the water pH is at the right range, the plants will eat.
In this article, we’ll learn how a pH controller can help automate your DWC system by controlling the water’s pH automatically, we will explore the benefits it brings, and how to set it up.
It doesn’t have to be, though!, It is simple to get into hydroponics feeding automation, and for most growers, the first step starts with adding a pH controller to their DWC setup.
By the end, you’ll see why a smart pH controller like Growee is essential for maximizing your hydroponic success.
Key Takeaways
- Who is DWC For? Understand the ideal setups for DWC hydroponics.
- Constantly Circulating Water in DWC: Learn about water consumption and pH fluctuations.
- The Challenge of Manual pH Control: Discover why manual pH adjustments can be tedious and risky.
- The Solution: Smart pH Controllers: See how automated pH controllers save time and protect plants.
- Step-by-Step Setup Guide: Detailed instructions on installing and calibrating a pH controller.
- Best Practices: Tips for maintaining and troubleshooting your pH controller.
Who is DWC For?
DWC hydroponics is perfect for growers looking to maximize the yield of 1-3 separate plants, particularly with high-value plants like tomatoes or cannabis. Most DWC setups are indoors, often paired inside a grow tent with LED lights and ventilation to maintain controlled conditions.
Constantly Circulating Water in DWC
Most DWC systems contain a water tank with 5-10 gallons of water that will be used as the base for mixing the feeding solution, you can check this article if you would like to learn more about mixing hydroponics feeding solution.
In the later stages of growth, plants consume a lot of water, leading to frequent refills. each refill can change the water pH, which leads to constant adjustments to maintain optimal levels.
Two Main Water Refill Methods For DWC:
The Challenge of Manual pH Control
Manually adjusting pH levels is time-consuming and leads to mistakes. It can take anywhere from half an hour to an hour to balance everything manually, if not done correctly it could harm the plant’s roots.
There are two most common methods for growers balancing pH manually in DWC systems:
Using an Additional DWC System for Replacing the Feeding Solution:
This method involves using an identical, empty system. First, add the water, then add the nutrients, and mix well manually. After a few minutes, when the nutrients dissolve, start balancing the pH.
Place the pH monitoring pen inside the water, mix and wait, then use a pH down or up material and add a few drops at a time, mix and monitor again until the pH is stable and in the right range.
When the DWC bucket is ready, transfer the plant from the old bucket to the new one with the new feeding solution. Clean the old bucket and use it with the same water in the next change.
This method is for the large “sawtooth” refill, as it involves changing all of the water at once. It is the preferred method but can waste water and nutrients.
Monitoring and Adjusting the Current Water Inside the DWC System:
This method is more complicated and requires monitoring the current water inside the DWC system. Add the missing water, and add the missing nutrients proportional to the amount of water added, then mix, wait, monitor pH, and start adding very slowly the pH up or down material while constantly monitoring and mixing to prevent overshoot in pH value.
This method is for the small “sawtooth” refill, as it involves changing small amounts of water each time. It is less wasteful but more difficult and risky.
The Solution: Automatic pH Control using Growee pH Controller
How to Set Up The Growee pH Controller in Your DWC System
- Mount the system about the DWC tank
- Place the Probe inside the water, at the bottom
- Make sure the tubes are placed above the water
- Setup the pH range, the system will automatically adjust the pH when new water is added
Best Practices for Maintaining pH Levels in DWC Hydroponics
- Use the Growee App to constantly monitor the water pH and trends
- Make sure you have the pH up or down material in the containers
- Add new water and let the Growee do the heavy lifting
Why Choose the Growee Dual pH Controller for Your DWC System?
The Growee Dual pH Controller offers unique features that make it stand out in the market, such as remote monitoring and dual pump action.
GardenAdvice conducted a comparison of various pH controllers and highlighted several benefits of the Growee pH Controller:
- Dual Pump System: Unlike single-pump systems, Growee uses two pumps for precise pH adjustments, ensuring optimal pH levels.
- Scalability: Growee’s system is designed for easy upgrades and scalability.
- User-Friendly: It’s quick to set up and simple to use, making it accessible for all experience levels.
GardenAdvice noted, “The Growee pH controller is easy to use, future-proof, and offers a level of control that is unmatched by its competitors.” This makes Growee a superior choice for maintaining optimal pH levels in your DWC system.
Conclusion
Using a pH controller in your DWC hydroponics system can significantly enhance plant growth and yield. The Growee Dual pH Controller ensures consistent pH levels, saving you time and effort.
Visit our product page to learn more about the Growee Dual pH Controller and how it can benefit your hydroponic setup. Subscribe to our blog for more tips and updates!
