# Question about hydroponics-refilling the bucket **URL:** \ **Category:** Hydroponics\ **Created:** [April 6, 2021, 9:24am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/question-about-hydroponics-refilling-the-bucket/65229 "2021-04-06T09:24:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ILGM.Support](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/ilgm.support/32/260019_2.png) [@ILGM.Support](https://ilgmforum.com/u/ILGM.Support)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2021, 9:24am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/question-about-hydroponics-refilling-the-bucket/65229/1 "2021-04-06T09:24:16Z")
From a fellow grower: Simple question here. I’m hydroponically growing with 5 gallon buckets. With plant basket placed on top of bucket, the maximum water level equals 3 1/2 gallons. Question: Should I always refill the bucket back to 3 1/2 gallons everyday. The roots are massive at this point and touching the bottom of the 5 gallon bucket. So wondering if it’s okay to let the water level drop down some. Or will this hurt the roots that are not submerged? ---
**Author:** ![HappyHydroGrower](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/happyhydrogrower/32/687342_2.png) [@HappyHydroGrower](https://ilgmforum.com/u/HappyHydroGrower)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2021, 12:03pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/question-about-hydroponics-refilling-the-bucket/65229/2 "2021-04-06T12:03:45Z")
It would be best if you could keep the water level about 1.5 - 2” below the net pot. During flower it’s gonna be difficult when they are drinking 1+ gal a day. Will it hurt them to drop down some? Probably not so much. Good luck! ✌👍🏻🕶 ---
**Author:** ![Mark0427](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/mark0427/32/598165_2.png) [@Mark0427](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Mark0427)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2021, 12:24pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/question-about-hydroponics-refilling-the-bucket/65229/3 "2021-04-06T12:24:11Z")
I check my bucket everyotger say or every3 days. I usually have to add 2 to 2.t gallons of nute water back to her evsry 2 to 3 days. As long as they dont get total dryness for a long time they will do fine. Speaking of havnt checked mine in 4 days now. She might be kinda empty lol ---
**Author:** ![neofirebird](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/neofirebird/32/229387_2.png) [@neofirebird](https://ilgmforum.com/u/neofirebird)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2021, 3:53pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/question-about-hydroponics-refilling-the-bucket/65229/4 "2021-04-07T15:53:20Z")
If you let it drop solution level, keep an eye on pH. When I’m in flower I add a gallon to my five gallon bucket about same time each day. It’s okay for the roots feel the air. ---
**Author:** ![Chloe2014](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d9b06d/32.png) [@Chloe2014](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Chloe2014)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2023, 5:40pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/question-about-hydroponics-refilling-the-bucket/65229/5 "2023-07-16T17:40:00Z")
@HappyHydroGrower can you advise on what age to move a girl from the aero garden to the 5 gall bucket? As soon as her roots are long enough to touch the water in the big net pot? OR something else to look for? TiA for sharing your wisdom. ---
**Author:** ![Bubbala](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/bubbala/32/878524_2.png) [@Bubbala](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Bubbala)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2023, 7:46pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/question-about-hydroponics-refilling-the-bucket/65229/6 "2023-07-16T19:46:08Z")
When the roots are filling the bucket, it’s drinking so much that water level changes are just part of the process. I always tried to not let it get lower than around 50% or so. I would recommend if not already on a schedule, to do a complete dump before filling once in a while though, or the nutes in the bucket solution will get out of balance from all the heavy top-ups. ---
**Author:** ![ThatHydroCouple](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/thathydrocouple/32/1062479_2.png) [@ThatHydroCouple](https://ilgmforum.com/u/ThatHydroCouple)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2023, 1:40pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/question-about-hydroponics-refilling-the-bucket/65229/7 "2023-07-21T13:40:15Z")
![IMG_7767](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/4X/1/4/7/1479a9efb5c2ec23ced04f0c66cd0eafdab79496.jpeg) Every other day I top mine back off with water and h202 and ph 5.8 before adding to each individual 5 gallon bucket. Once a week they get full bucket changes with that week’s nutrient schedule.