Stealth Hydroponics Bucketeer DWC Kit

This is A Lesson In Why You SHOULD Always Order Through Amazon.com...I dealt with this company, initially, through Amazon but along with the order, Stealth Hydroponics, included their own phone number and ordering information. I contacted Stealth Hydroponics directly (MISTAKE) due to having been shipped too little lava rock for both units as well as, 2 leaking valves.The representative, who admitted to being an owner said: "yeah, yeah, yeah we know about the valves, they leak from the inside due to a fault in manufacture, we'll send new ones". (MISTAKE) It was then that I asked: 'are the rocks supposed to come to the top of the basket?' The Owner answered: "Yes, why" I explained that mine barely makes it to 1/2 way each. To which the Owner answered: "yeah, I don't know what they're doing over at that warehouse, but I'll send you a few bags".He then asked if I needed anything else: The Owner seemed to be very accommodating, so I trusted him ((MISTAKE)) and decided to order (MISTAKE) chemicals and other materials I needed. They shipped everything whenever they felt like it with no one to answer to except me, they took two weeks, constantly updating me with "back ordered" notices on items which the Owner claimed were "in stock".The package arrived without HAZMAT packaging. None of the bottles were in plastic bags and all of the thin plastic bottles which were packed laying down on top of SHARP STONES, were leaking. It took the paint off my porch, ruined my pants, a shirt, shoes and the rug inside of the house as all of the acids and dyes leaked, dripping everywhere.I called to complain and was told to throw everything away, they would replace everything plus they would send samples of all kinds of items to make up for it. Two weeks later a Fed Ex guy shows up asking for everything The Owner of Stealth Hydroponics told me to throw away.On calling Stealth Hydroponics The Owner, Again answered and told me: "You threw everything away, we aren't replacing, refunding or repaying you if you cant send back the damaged goods." When I reminded him everything was soaked in acids he told me: you cant mail it back leaking so just throw it all away. He denied it and told me he never said that and without proof he refused to replace the order.Thankfully, I DID take photos of the box, the bottles, the clothes, the carpet, all for my Attorney... .. ..When I told the story to Amazon, they couldn't help with the current order but DID do what they could by looking up the original order which WAS through Amazon and they credited me the entire amount, for my trouble..I'll be seeing them in court: DON'T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE.....ORDER THRU AMAZON

Well, I think the product is great--easy to use, well constructed (except for the valve), and great results! I would rate it a 5, but this is the second product I purchased from this company and both had a leaky valve issue. I purchased this one and the Stealth Hydroponics DWC Basic Kit. Both had a leaky valve problem when it's in the closed position--it leaks slow, but, neverthless, it leaks and you don't want to hassel checking and adjusting levels more than absolutely necessary. Also, I don't trust the rubber gramet and think it's just a matter of time before it leaks too (I'll get a bucket w/out the valve if this happens). Okay, for those who end up with the same problem and since it's 2 for 2 for me so far, I'm sure there will be more of you with the same problem. Okay, here's the fix: just purchase some plastic tubing from your local hardware store and cut a piece 4-6 inches long (1/2 inch Inner Diameter) and then bend it in half, use a plastric zip tie to cinch the bent tubing together, making a seal. Next, place one end of this tubing to the hose barb and the cinched tubing will act as the new seal. Just a minor hassel, but once you do this, you're set. Also, it seems fragile at this area and you don't want to crack the resevoir, so slowly twist back and forth while removing the tubing while holding the valve with your other hand from pulling too hard. Once you remove the tubing, drain the resevoir. I don't even bother, I just dump the old nut medium by tipping the bucket. I have an extra bucket that I use for changing the nuts. Other than this issue, provided you have proper lighting and the right nuts for the plants you're growing--you're set with a cool DWC hydroponics system. Air pump, bubbling stone, and everything else is great about this product!

The bucket system works well and I experimented with sweet peas so I can snack on them. Unfortunately I know now I am under utilizing this system. It is intended to grow much larger plants. My next adventure will be a Brandywine tomato plant which this system is much more suited to. I do feel that there should have been a way to check the water level without picking up the the hydroton net pot. I think I may have filled the container too full but it is hard to tell since you have to pick up the plants which makes this calculation difficult. The spigot was also quite difficult for me to install but finally got the job done and it works fine. Otherwise the peas are healthy and producing. Wish me luck on the Brandywine!

This product was a pretty big disappointment. Cheap materials and the stones only fill 2/3 of the basket (unlike the picture). The biggest issue is that the valve does not fit and so it leaks. Any water you put in the bucket flows right out the leaking valve, which means the product is unusable unless you have a solution to fixing the valve. There are a few options here: you can use caulk, epoxy or some other material to fill the gap. One issue is that those are all somewhat toxic materials even after they have set so you have to worry about the chemicals leaching into you solution and ultimately being taken up by your plants. I used super glue designed for plastics which has held so far (just applied it today). I tend to doubt the bond will last, but I will have to wait and see. For the price, I would definitely not recommend this product. There are cheaper options that have been rated higher and offer more.

Ordered this kit and was very, very disappointed. It arrived with the hydroton bag broken open and spilled everywhere, the rockwool cubes were smashed, and the rubber part that holds the drain wasn't inserted properly and the unit leaked water out the bottom. To top it off, instructions were not even included. Very dissapointed with the product and returned it immediately and purchased another brand instead and haven't looked back.