Dutch bucket design systems also referred to as ‘Bato bucket’ systems, are great if you’re wanting to create large, scalable systems for larger or vining plants like tomatoes or cucumbers.
The reason is simple… Dutch bucket design systems use one large reservoir to feed into several planters throughout your growing area. These systems are
ideal for people that want to create one massive system and get a lot of return on their investment.
Need more info? Take a step back and learn more about the system or check out some other Dutch Bucket System designs before you jump in to start your build.
Staggered Dutch Bucket Design
Materials
- You will first need to build a table or large bench for your Dutch Bucket System.
- 27 Gallon Reservoir, or similar size (choose 1 of the following options)
- Non-transparent or translucent Totes or storage container (Size will depend on what is locally available, how much room you have, and your garden plan)
- You will always want to select a none transparent or translucent reservoir in order to limit light getting to your nutrient solution as this will cause algae growth.
- Can I use a fish tank if I already have one? (Sure, why not? This selection could make your Deep Water Culture System an Aquaponics System! Just don’t select large plants or you won’t be able to lift the styrofoam lid to service and feed the fish!
- Non-transparent or translucent Totes or storage container (Size will depend on what is locally available, how much room you have, and your garden plan)
- Submersible Water Pump
- A 2-foot section of 1/2″ Black Vinyl tubing or similar to pump the water up to the PVC manifold
- Dutch Bucket, 11 Liter, with Siphon Elbows, Hydroponic, 12″ x 10″ x 9″ – 10 Pack
- Alternatively, you can get these Dutch Buckets with lids and net cups. This option will allow you to save medium. You will only need to fill the net cup instead of the entire Dutch Bucket with medium.
- Air pump (aquarium or other) This one comes with 2 air hoses, check valves, and air stones
- Air hose (Usually comes with the air pump)
- Check valve (Comes with better quality air pumps)
- Airstone (Comes with some air pumps. Get the biggest one your reservoir and air pump can handle)
- (1) Premium Landscape Pool Spa PVC Pipe Sch 40 1 1/2 Inch (1.5) 5 FT / White / PVC – for the return line. Shipping is the issue here for longer pieces so you will need to join 2 pieces together with a coupling to make a longer section of pipe.
- (1) U4801 1-1/2 HXH COUPLING PVC
- (1) 1-1/2″ schedule 40 90 degree elbow
- (1) C447-015 11/2 CAP (SLIP)
- (2) PVC Pipe Sch40 1 Inch (1.0) White Custom Length – 5FT – for the nutrient water supply line. Shipping is the issue here too for longer pieces so you will need to join 2 pieces together with a coupling to make a longer section of pipe.
- (1) CHARLOTTE PIPE 1 SCH 40 Coupling SXS Contractor Pack Pressure (10 Unit Bag)
- (1) C447-010 1 CAP (SLIP)
- (1) C406-010 1 90 DEG EL
- (1) C436-010 1 MA ADAPTER – to connect Spears 1435 Series PVC Tube Fitting, Adapter, Schedule 40, Gray, 1/2″ Barbed x NPT Female to the PVC supply line
- (1) Spears 1435 Series PVC Tube Fitting, Adapter, Schedule 40, Gray, 1/2″ Barbed x NPT Female – to connect 1/2″ Vinyl hose to pump.
- (1) Spears 402 Series PVC Pipe Fitting, Tee, Schedule 40, White, 1″ Socket x 1/2″ NPT Female to Tee off the main supply line manifold to each of the 8 Dutch buckets
- (2) Tefen – 12022208083 Nylon 6/6 Pipe Fitting, Hex Nipple, Gray, 1/2″ NPT Male (Pack of 5) to connect the valve to the Tee
- (8) American Valve P200 1/2″ Ball Valve, 0.5 Inch Yes, I know they are expensive, but you will need one for each bucket to adjust the nutrient water flow pressure.
- (2) Malida 1/2″ Thread Male to 1/4″ Push Fit Tube Quick Connect for Water Purifiers Reverse Osmosis (5pack) To connect the 1/4″ lines to each Duch Bucket
- (1) Malida 1/4 inch RO Water black Tubing, Hose Pipe for RO Water purifiers System,10 Meters 30 feet Length (black)
- Distilled or Filtered Water (preferably reverse osmosis filtered)
- Plants
- Fresh Plant cutting (if you are cloning a plant)
- Seedling
- Seeds in a net pot and Rapid Rooter starter plugs (These work amazing! But, If you find them a little too expensive you can use the stone wool starter cubes)
Tools
- Power drill
- PVC Pipe Cutter
- Hole saw Match your net cup size selection. This may be more difficult than it seems as the exact hole saw size you need may not come in your hole saw kit. See more details in the instructions below.
- 1/4″ Drill bit for wood or plastic. The size of this hole will depend upon the diameter of the air tubing you have purchased.
- Razer or Exacto knife I would normally never recommend the “snap-off blade” type of box cutter knife, but the ability to extend this blade out a few sections to cut a clean slice on the 1″ styrofoam makes this particular knife design the right choice for this job.
Instructions
Place
- Build your table or platform in its final location
- Place the reservoir in its permanent location under the table or platform
- Place your Dutch Bucket on the table or platform in their final locations
Assemble
- Assemble the dutch buckets according to manufactures instructions
- Install 2-90 degree siphon pieces inside buckets
- Install lids on each bucket
- Install Net pots in each bucket
- Assemble the supply line manifold according to this diagram.
- Use Teflon tape on every threaded fitting
- Assemble The 90-degree fittings on one end to the reservoir and install the 1″ cap on the other end
Fill
- Fill the reservoir with filtered water (Make sure the water level touches the bottom of the net cups when the styrofoam is placed on top of the reservoir)
- Add nutrients as per manufacture instructions
- Pre mixed Nutrients are easier to use
- Later you can learn how to use dry nutrient ingredients and mix yourself. They are cheaper to purchase and easier to store.
- Check pH
- pH will rise or drop after adding the nutrients (usually drop)
- Adjust the water pH with pH up or pH down to read about 5.8 to 6
Connect
- Cut a small 6″ length of hose and connect to the air pump
- Connect the end of the air hose inside the container to the air stone
- Connect the outside end of the air hose to the check valve. Look closely on the check valve to see an indicator on the side indicating the proper direction of the flow of air and position the direction of the check valve accordingly. Note that the air flows from the air pump to the air stone inside the container. If you are uncertain, you can blow through the valve one side at a time. One side will be more restrictive. That is the side that will connect to the hose or tubing that goes to the airstone.
- Connect the check valve to the small 6″ piece of hose already connected to the air pump.
Plant
Option 1 – Seedlings
- Put your plants into each net cup
- Fill each cup with the medium of your choice (we like using expanded clay pebbles)
Option 2 – Starter plugs and seeds
- Seeds in a starter plug
- Put Starter plug in a net pot and fill with the rest of the space with medium
Additional Instructions
The Dutch Bucket Row
For narrower areas, this style of Dutch bucket system design may very well work for you. Thin tables, benches, or horizontal overhanging flaps installed around the wall can be easily converted into this type of system. In fact, one of the best parts of this system is its ability to greatly use the areas hugging your walls effectively. The only difference between this build and the previous one is the layout. Even the drilled holes in the 1-1/2″ return line pipe are the same distance.
Additional Instructions
Build this system
