Right as you come out of the res.
Just before the totes.
Just after coming out of the tote and on each side of the water pump
Four 1 1/2” cutoff valves and Four 3/4” cutoff valves.
I thought so too before I actually gave it a go. So easy!
You can do this. A little modification here and there and you will grow some big plants!
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Great detail - three small pumps? thanks for sharing 
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The 8 gal does not, the girl does. Will send a photo.
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I spent all day studying this lol. I saw some kits online through PA hydroponics 5 gal buckets. The lines are 1 inch though…is that ok for the grow or will the roots block the lines? I’d like to use 1.5" but I’m imagining at that point you’re using PVC opposed to vinyl tubing? And then if you are do you still need 1.5" bulkheads?
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I’m not familiar with their system. I put mine together from scratch. I (think) it was cheaper that way. I’m sure there are folks here that use them. I think @OhHeyThere uses one.
Sorry just not sure how it works.
I use the 1 1/2" bulkhead to connect to the PVC and the totes.
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Copy that. No issues with roots in the system? How big do your girls usually get? They want $100 for a 2 plant setup in 5 gal buckets. So I’m wondering the cheaper route after buying all the tools and materials + time. I think the 1.5" bit to drill in the buckets/totes was $15, $5 per bucket, and we aren’t talking about the air and water pump yet.
I just keep going off their site saying that the 1" lines won’t support more than a 3ft plant and I’m like…im growing in two gallon smart pots rn SOG and they’re indica dominant and easily 3 feet so I’m like man, run a sativa and be in trouble immediately. I like the idea of building my own and taking the time for it. But I also dont wanna recreate the wheel ya know.
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** Sorry it’s a long post**
The key IMO is getting a tote with a flat edge. And one that is deep and strong enough to support the water that doesn’t bulge out too much when you fill it with water.
Lowes has a grey 20 gal tote that is a good option. I have the same tote in white. They didn’t have the grey one when I bought mine or I would have gotten it.
If you have a cheap discount tool place near, you can pick up a whole saw set for little of nothing. I bought mine for like $16.00 (3/4" -5" saws) and PVC cutters that will cut 1 5/8" for $8.00
I bought good bulkheads for $11.00 each. I also used plumbers putty and tape on each fitting with no leak issues.
I had that happen once last grow because I wasn’t paying enough attention to them. It was also hard to get in my totes because of the scrog sitting on the flooor so I modified the scrog and attached it to the top of the totes.
Last grow in transition.
And then in flower:
You can see how the scrog is sitting on the floor. It was hard to lift both the scrog and the top. I was still able to open it up and just fold any roots that were getting close to the outlet back out of the way
So this go round, I attached the scrog to the top like this:
This go round I also added a 3/4" filter and stuck a SS screen inside to help.
I’m and engineer by trade and can walk you through any question you may have. My way is not the only way or maybe even not the cheapest way, but IT WORKS! 
I don’t know a dang thing about growing…haha or training and trimming a plant, but I can build a system to grow in…lol 
Let me know if I can help. I’ll tag you in my current grow I just started if you like.
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Fulvic acid is a different substance. Armor Si is silica. There are a number of sellers for this.
@HappyHydroGrower I used some of those grey totes my last RDWC grow and had to double them up as they were bowing out enough to make me nervous. Thought about taking a turn of 1/4" rope around the inside of the lip.
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I messed those plants up real bad in transition but to show you how much and how quick they grow, here is a before and after of the transition.
7-15-20
8-5-20 (3 weeks later)
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Can I post a link here from Lowes? They have several and the ones I’m talking about are a thicker mil than most of the totes. Thankfully, I’m not having any issues of them bowing at all on my end. I had a 27 gal tote I tried out that really bowed out. I build an aluminum frame for it.
@TheAlchemist undoubtedly you’ve had a butt ton of information processing to do…so here’s some more!
Im in a 5x5 text, with a 15"x20"x12" welded stainless steel DWC box. It holds 8-8 1/2 gallons of water at optimal level. I mainlined to 8 mains, and have easily filed the tent, almost 50 days from 12/12 flip. Previous to this, I have only grown outdoors in soil, and wow, what a difference! Very easy to maintain and very VERY fast growth!
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Exactly my point!! Ain’t it fun! 
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Yeah that’s a good look bro cuz I think this will def be an ongoing discussion lol.
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Im soaking it in tho bruh that thing is a monster. I wanted to use 8 gal buckets but I wasn’t and I’m still not willing to pay several hundred bucks for the kit esp with 1" lines. I actually have some cat litter totes that are exactly what I saw but i have concerns on the quality of plastic and all that ya know? Honestly the one thing throwing me off is the piping and the bulkheads once you go over an inch in pipe size. I feel like once I can figure out what I’m using to connect them I’ll have a more solid plan. Vinyl tubing sounds awesome but I’ve yet to see it bigger than an inch.
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PA hydroponics sells pre-built kits, do-it-yourself kits or you can buy pieces individually. I recommend their parts as he targets quality tested items, such as 2” and 3” bulkheads. Bulkheads are pricy and you also have to be concerned about leaks, as they are the most vulnerable part for leaks in almost all return bases systems.
As far as totes Vs buckets — I think this comes down to personal preference. Usually determined on your grow space and what you plan to grow. I prefer 4 buckets in my 4x4 tent because I plan to only grow autoflowers and I want to try several different strains. However, if photos is your game plan then perhaps totes is the better option.
I do have journal using rDWC in 5 13 gallon buckets you can check out.
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Can you explain how to follow journals? Um…so in theory do you suggest buying the parts and installing the size lines you want and the pumps u want yourself? Those kits with the 3 inch lines are expensive!
'Fraid not. But you can screenshot it or post a picture. Or find it on Amazon and use that link (if it’s there)
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I’d need more information on your setup, tent size, what you plan to grow, and what is your budget for starters.
Here is my journal : Hydroponic DWC - x4 Sour Diesel Autoflowers - #6 by OhHeyThere
And at the end of each forum thread there are watch options. Set a thread to watch if you want to be notified anytime something is posted, like below :
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