RDWC vs DWC

RDWC vs DWC: What’s the Difference?

If you’re looking into deep water hydroponics, you’ve probably seen two terms come up: DWC and RDWC. They may sound similar, but the difference in performance especially for serious growers is massive.

💧 DWC (Deep Water Culture)

DWC is a basic hydroponic method where plant roots sit in a bucket of nutrient rich water, with an air stone for oxygen. It’s low-cost and good for beginners, but it has downsides:

  • pH and EC can fluctuate quickly

  • Stagnant water can lead to root rot

  • Harder to scale beyond 1–2 plants

  • Limited oxygen in larger root zones

🔄 RDWC (Recirculating Deep Water Culture)

RDWC takes DWC to the next level. It continuously recirculates the water between multiple buckets and a control reservoir, keeping everything consistent.

Benefits of RDWC:

  • Stable pH and nutrient levels

  • Higher oxygen saturation

  • Easier to manage multiple plants

  • Ideal for tomatoes, peppers, and fruiting crops

  • Less fertilizer waste

  • Modular and upgradeable

Back to blog