Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
Ya the only other option for returns would be:
But I think I'm gonna go with #1 all straight through the buckets. I just don't wanna waste $60 on buckets.. :/ But only one way to see if it'll work!
RDWC Gurus, need advice on return line flow rate.
- Thread starter Airwalker16
- Start date
But I think I'm gonna go with #1 all straight through the buckets. I just don't wanna waste $60 on buckets.. :/ But only one way to see if it'll work!
ttystikk
Well-Known Member
Single returns are gonna have clogging problems.
HydroRed
Well-Known Member
I'm not sure if I fully understand what you are going for but if you are relying on hydrostatic pressure for return on the 9 buckets with only 6 return holes in the main res, 3 of those will return slower than the others not split on a "T" for the return. Water will find the path of least resisitance (which will be the return lines not shared with another bucket). I would opt for 9 holes in the main res bucket for 9 individual return lines. Perfectly even hydrostatic pressure then and all buckets will fill/drain evenly then. As mentioned already, you have more control of your flow with the pump and valves than you do your returns. Your returns flows will always be dictated by your pump flow rate so If you are stuck with 1" then have your pump flow at a rate cohesive with the return tube size. As for hardware, I use rubber grommets with no leaks or drips etc. Ive been rockin the same setup for a long time. Been using the same gear almost as long haha. Only other items I use other than rubber grommets are a large 1-1/2" bulkhead. In the 1.5 yrs Ive been using it in my main res, I've never experienced a leak or failure, but this also doesnt get disassembled and reassembled after each grow like my buckets and grommets do.
redi jedi
Well-Known Member
The way I described it the return is the pressure line..off the pump discharge..pumping the water back to 9 buckets from the control. The drains are what might clog with roots.
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
I just can't fit 9 holes in the bucket that's the reason I'm doing this.
@ttystikk what do you mean? The res will have 3 holes in it to return each row of 3 which will be connected through straight barbs going through the buckets, besides the last end bucket which would just have 1.
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
This is how it is now. But to cut 9 holes would be impossible.I guess I could use a different square tub for the res so I have a flat wall to do the 9 holes in but that's what I'm trying to avoid.
HydroRed
Well-Known Member
If you run the flow through from bucket to bucket, your gonna want to bump up your return tube size. I know you already coughed up cash for the 1" you have, but I can foresee return flow issues using what you have now with more buckets than your original system. Your return should run faster and easier than your supply. I would run at least 1-1/2" on the return if you are using 1/2" for supply with any kind of decent pump. Your looking for a good exchange rate from all the buckets all the time.
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
Ill test a row of 3 tonight
I'm not going bigger. Mainly because I'd have to use pvc poly and uniseals and I hate that shit. I wanna use grommets and barb fittings. Plus, this 25' of 1" ain't Goin to waste. What if I did this way?
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
All I can say is my dad's tomatoes are setup like this:
1/2" supply lines. Returns end connection tube is only 3/4", with a 1" to 3/4" straight reducer coupling to the rest which is all 1" AND all the holes are ONLY 3/4" grommets! (Besides the res return elbows which are 1") He used 1"x3/4" tees for the buckets as you can see.
He has ABSOLUTELY no problems. Mine would be even a step up from that though with all 1" grommets, fittings, AND tubing. He has 2 holes in his res as you can see. Mine would have 3 and wouldn't even be elbowed.
1/2" supply lines. Returns end connection tube is only 3/4", with a 1" to 3/4" straight reducer coupling to the rest which is all 1" AND all the holes are ONLY 3/4" grommets! (Besides the res return elbows which are 1") He used 1"x3/4" tees for the buckets as you can see.He has ABSOLUTELY no problems. Mine would be even a step up from that though with all 1" grommets, fittings, AND tubing. He has 2 holes in his res as you can see. Mine would have 3 and wouldn't even be elbowed.
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Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
So I'm just gonna play it safe and tee Into the buckets rather than go through, even though it'd look a hell of a lot better that way. It'll at least work. My dad's worked with water and pump stations his entire life and Im confident it'll work.
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
Works absolutely beautiful guys. Glad I did this config. Everything fills linearly and drains all but like maybe 1/4" of water from all the buckets when i drained it out from the res only.
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Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
Well if anyone's interested, I found some half inch crosses to join the buckets on one single line. This will help with flow rate immensely and get the pressure needed to those back waterfalls I hope. Having 3 seperate lines on the supply was causing some weakness on them. The ball valve will be to limit flow to the side with just tees. 
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
Thank you for the reply!! I can't wait to get it Goin
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mytwhyt
Well-Known Member
I ran a three Waterfam rdwc grow and used a 5 gal bucket for a reservoir... I set the WFs on cinder blocks so i could fill the reservoir almost to the top and still have the water level the same as the grow buckets...
Didn't check the date of the last post.... Do you have a thread of the system in action?
Didn't check the date of the last post.... Do you have a thread of the system in action?
Bareback
Well-Known Member
Are those short pvc pipes with a cap diy spray heads. Do they ever clog.
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
Nah, it's pretty problem proof if you use 1" fittings or bigger
atrumblood
Well-Known Member
I have actually had 3 floods this grow. Like a dumb ass I bought a hydrofarm single unit setup with 10 gallon rez. Well, the 1/2 inch line that came with it was not designed for a monster plant. The roots just want to live in that damn pipe. I have to go in and twist the return line a bit to get the roots out.
The next grow I am starting will have 5/8 or 3/4 inch return lines. Also, drilling holes in buckets is a pain in the ass. I highly recommend getting a stepped bit. This is the one I have and it has made it so simple and easy. https://images.jet.com/md5/56e84d1a1f01f8cb638b394d20aafb88.1500