Undercurrent using elbows to stop root clog?

I'm doing an UC test with 5 gal pails. 1 1/4" GH grommet and 1 1/4" pipe. I have the water flow pipes pretty close to the bottom but I was thinking of moving the holes up so I fit two 1 1/4" elbows on the in and out pipes that point down. How will this affect water flow? Will it affect how often all the water in the bucket will be exchanged vs straight pipe?

More the point....do you think roots are gonna get into the other pail or have you a screen to prevent 'wandering root syndrome ' ....? lol

Well I'm just wondering if using elbows that point down will minimize the roots from going into the out flow pipe. The elbow will not be glued so I can be taken off.

I've used elbows just like you intend. It works but raising the hole off the bottom leaves more water in the buckets when draining.

A screen fine enough to stop the roots will clog.

Ok cool not too worries about the water I could add a grommet and a 1/2 elbow and use the GH blue line they use for their systems as water level checker and just use a shop vac to suck out the excess water. My main concern was clogging. This is actually for peppers. Its gets damn hot in my shop so I need to be able to cool the water in all buckets and not fuck around with single DWC pails.

Your best option is to use larger pipe.

redi jedi said:

Your best option is to use larger pipe.

Click to expand...

Can't need to use products that are easy to get for customers and can't really go bigger than 1 1/4" in pails and anything bigger will use ABS plastic which is probably not too good for food crops.

Wonder if I made the in and out pipes long so they almost touch and put a cap on each one then cut out slots on each under side with the same surface area as the 1 1/4 pipe hole that would get the water flowing and keep the roots from going it. Or I could drill some holes, heat up the pvc and insert a wooden dowel in to the hole to create an up lip into the pipe.

Put my peppers into the system. Was gone for a few days and the aphids went nuts in the heat. Had to g o spray crazy so plants are a bit droopy.