Wick Hole Size for 5-Gal bucket

[blackcat54]

I used a 3" wick hole in my 18-gal Tainers.

I want to build some 5-gal bucket Tainers.

Suggestions on hole size over the wicking basket?

3", 2.5", or 2" or maybe 1.5"?

[elight]

Last year, I did 4" baskets (deli containers) with many holes under a 4" hole in the inner bucket. I believe I had a problem with overwatering. This year, I'm using 3" yogurt cups with a single hole underneath a 2-1/4" hole in my bucket. A week or two in, the plants are healthy and growing. We'll see how it goes!

[coloken]

I've only built a few 5 gal bucket ones and no way that I consider myself an expert, so don't consider me such.
I would throw out the wild idea that size really does not matter that much. How wet depends on the "soil" or composition of the filler. All most all of mine have been wetter than needed. How small I could go I have no idea.

[eddie46]

I use 3" plastic cups with slits cut 1 across bottom and 4 on sides. Use Miraclegrow with no problems.

[sprtsguy76]

If your mix wicks well I would use 2" max. Thats what I use for all my 4-5 gallon swc. Good luck.

Damon

[blackcat54]

Is landscape fabric recommended over the aeration holes as in the larger 18 and 31 gal designs?

[elight]

Yes, blackcat - same principal. Having the roots climb down into the water reservoir will lead to overwatering (as also happened to me last year).

[brismith70]

For what it's worth, I used a 2 7/8" hole in the bottom of the bucket. A 3" net cup fits perfectly into that. I drilled small hole in the bucket and the cup and secure the cup with 2 zip ties. I drilled aeration holes in the bottom of the bucket and used landscape fabric to cover the bottom of the bucket. It works like a charm.

Brian

[blackcat54]

Brian,

3" diameter net cup?

or

3" high net cup?

[brismith70]

Yes. 3" diameter. They fit perfectly into a 2 7/8" hole. I just used the zip ties because I was worried the weight of the soil would. Push the cup through the hole. But it looks like I didn't have to do that.