NFT - too much flow?

Hey guys, been successful with DWC in the past but now I'm trying to maximize space and simplify life by moving to an NFT design.

I was wondering what you all think about the flow rate for my gullies. I have zero NFT experience but to me the flow seems a bit high. I but a ball valve on the send and reduced the flow but then I can't get the water to evenly spread down the gully. Also, the pump gets noisy when I do that and I fear heat issues by putting too much back pressure on it.

Space is quite limited, 2'x4' footprint in total so the gullies are approximately 2.75' long which leads to question number 2, would 4 2" net pots be too crowded? Will go straight from clone to 12/12 as I do not have much headroom either. May even ScROG (slightly) the SOG to restrict height and double whammy as a support structure as no grow medium will be used. Opinions on that would be cool.

Before anyone asks, I really want to completely avoid micro sprayers running down the gully. I know many people strictly adhere to Stink Bud's design and utilize those sprayers but I am trying for straight NFT, not Aero/NFT hybrid. It would be super dope to have a high pressure aero setup one day but money...lol.

Pump is your basic Eco 396, PVC is 1/2", runs into the gullies after the T fitting and is capped off on both sides with 3 7/16" holes drilled on each to feed the water/nute mix.

Video in action
http://sendvid.com/ea965ihy

So yeah...

I did take some measurements and I'm getting 1gal every 30 seconds from each gully at full flow.

So then i thought about how to keep the water running down the center and I figured it out. I cut a piece of PVC to 4" and placed it inside, perpendicular to the bottom surface of the gully. Then I used a hair dryer to gently shape the gully. I did this in 3 or 4 places running the enter length of the gully and now at any flow, the film stays focused down the center of the channel.

I'm pretty excited to try this system as I'm sick of the issues I have with DWC and I was not about that sprayer life. Maybe this will help somebody in the future.

No pictures lad?

I have just built my own nft for my 3x3ft cubaord, although I have never tried hydro before but here's a picture this Is there first day in today





Fingers crossed I can keep them alive and get a harvest

Nice - how many gph is your pump? And do you plan to leave it on 24/7? I was going to use poly tubing at first too (never worked with pvc) but large poly is a PITA and pvc was
so cheap and easy. No cement at all and not one leak, I'm very pleased.

I can post pics but there are no plants in place. I have one plant vegging in a basic dwc bucket that will be cloned and transplanted. I'm starting over after a move. I'm going for 6 sites total, maybe 8 clone success rate dependant. Super lemon haze by green house btw - what are your ladies?

My pump is 490ltr an hour, yes I have left pump on 24/7

But like I say I never tried hydro
I also have to add frozen bottle of water to cool the res down I still need to cover my res with black a white

Are an blue bubblegum my strain for.first time as my blue pits didn't look as healthy a they came from a plant that was tripped to see If was female

Awesome man.

In the past I've had issues with res temps but always worked with as many passive cooling techniques as possible. Is your reservoir on floor? If so, try to think of a way to elevate it so that air can pass under it. Getting creative with closet shelving can be a solution and that can make a few degree difference right there. Think feet on a notebook computer.

If you don't have a top, in the mean time grab some black trash bags from the grocery store and layer a few on there to keep the light out. The exposure to light will turn the reservoir into breeding ground for funk and increase the frequency of changes needed. The whole reason i want to try nft and get away from buckets is to save on needed reservoir changes and nutrient costs!!

The res has a top but it black absorbs the heat I need to reflect It from under the tubes

Corregated plastic or reflective tape or both are great for that. I'm using reflective tape on an old record album holder that I cut to fit the bucket lol

Here is the plant that will be cloned and transplanted into the system. She's at day 17 now and just got her first "full" dose of nutrients this morning - I think the plant liked it.