How the IWS DWC System Works:

Deep water culture (DWC) is a popular growing technique where roots are suspended in net pots over heavily oxygen infused nutrient solution in what is commonly referred to as 'bubbler'. Using deep water culture as a growing method has a long list of benefits. For a start, there's less medium to deal with, with only a small quantity of clay pebbles required to support initial root growth within the net pot. This means that waste is kept to an absolute minimum. Root systems thrive in heavily oxygenated water and produce amazing results with notable increases in yields.

However, when dealing with larger numbers of bubblers, nutrient solution changes, checks and general maintenance can become a bit of pain when each unit is attended to individually. IWS Bubbler Kits solve all of these problems in one fell swoop by connecting each bubbler to a reservoir tank. The float switch technology developed in their flood & drain kits has been put to use here to fill, empty and top up individual bubblers according to a programmed schedule. You no longer have to deal with separate containers; just make up nutrient solution for the reservoir and let the brain do the rest. Because nutrients can be drawn back to the reservoir for periods at different times of the day, solutions become properly mixed and are spread evenly across each bubbler in the system at all times.

This kit is supplied with the new Flexi Tank system, an innovation in water storage. The Flexi Tank has been tested to absolute destruction and has never faltered yet. The team behind IWS have invested in an extremely heavy research program; test after test has been performed and at no point has the Flexi Tank ever given way. They offer all of the functionality of a standard water butt, but can be packed away into a tiny space. They're easier to transport and can be stored in a fraction of the area that typical reservoirs can. IWS are heavily behind the Flexi Tank and we can see why.

Using the IWS DWC System:

The IWS DWC system is simple to put together and use. You will find the following items useful: A sharp knife or scissors for cutting the IWS pipe, a spanner for tightening nuts and a suitable container of hot (half-boiled) water to soften the end of piping to make it easier to fit onto elbow, tee and straight connectors.

The brain pot and the Oxypots need to be installed on the same surface. The surface also needs to be level otherwise the system will either under or over-fill the pots.

First, you will need to assemble the Flexi Tank. This is a very quick and easy process: unfold and open up the waterproof material outer, insert the supporting poles into the side sleeves and fit the feet to the undersides of each pole. 

Warning:

When running your IWS DWC System, NEVER refill the reservoir while the bubbler buckets are filled. If you do this, when you draw water back to the reservoir, water could overflow beyond the reservoir's capacity and cause a potential hazard.

Once your IWS System has been set up according to our guide, you will have one of the best hydroponic systems available anywhere. Remember to keep your system clean and free of salt build-ups by using a product such as Dutch Pro Keep It Clean or House and Garden Drip Clean.

Preventing Water Damage: even with a carefully set up hydroponic system, accidents can happen, often resulting in a considerable amount of water to be released onto the floor. Plan ahead and plan for the worst. For example, sit your system in a high-sided garden/gravel tray, or use our floor-secure sheeting on your grow-room floor. It can be fitted so that it rides up each wall by a few inches, creating a “floor-basin" which could help prevent a huge amount of water damage if the worst should ever happen. In this regard it is much better to be safe than sorry!

This kit is not designed to use water level indicators - the brain takes care of this for you. If you wish to add water level indicators, you can customise your Oxypots by drilling separate holes and fitting separate glands and elbows.

Our grow systems are designed to provide years of trouble free use, but for complete peace of mind, secure pipework that's joined onto barbed fittings using jubilee clips or cable ties, and place run-off trays / floor secure sheeting underneath the system. It's much better to be safe than sorry.

Hose clip for use with 13mm flexi pipe

Run-Off & Work Trays

Floor Secure Sheeting

• DWC Brochure