1st Rdwc, water pump question

Hello all,

Starting my 1st rdwc system with 4 5 gallon buckets. 27 Gallon reservoir tote. I have 2 questions.

1. What size water pump do I need at a minimum, and better, what size pump,will give me the best results? Gallon per hour, brand etc.. any links to what you could recommend would be greatly appreciated.

2. Now, I’m a newbie, this question I can’t figure out. In a rdwc system, how do you keep the water levels the same throughout all 4 buckets? Like how do you make sure the water level line is the same throughout all 4 buckets and adjust them.

Appreciate any advice on this, getting soon to transplant from rapid rooters from. Rapid rooters to buckets.

Gravity keeps the levels the same at all times man. Are you doing an UnderCurrent type or a waterfall at every bucket type? Check this thread out.

https://www.rollitup.org/t/i-gotta-lose-the-air-pumps-how-plus-my-awesome-mini-dwc.960807/

Airwalker16 said:

Gravity keeps the levels the same at all times man. Are you doing an UnderCurrent type or a waterfall at every bucket type? Check this thread out.

https://www.rollitup.org/t/i-gotta-lose-the-air-pumps-how-plus-my-awesome-mini-dwc.960807/

Click to expand...

I’m sorry for the newbie question. But I’m not sure what the difference is

Surf around on this site. Think you will find some answers.
http://www.ilovegrowingmarijuana.com/hydroponic-growing-schedule/

cwillis11b said:

2. Now, I’m a newbie, this question I can’t figure out. In a rdwc system, how do you keep the water levels the same throughout all 4 buckets? Like how do you make sure the water level line is the same throughout all 4 buckets and adjust them.

Click to expand...

Gravity. Sitting on a level surface, finds it's own level.

Thx

cwillis11b said:

Thx

Click to expand...

This will make you look like MacGyver.

Jypsy Dog said:

This will make you look like MacGyver.

Click to expand...

Nice, makes sense. I guess I’m reading to much into it.

My 8 bucket RDWC system used a 396gph pond pump in a 17 gal rez plumbed to a central 1/2" pvc feed line to the buckets. 1/8"hose nipples feed dripper hose to each bucket. 1/2" rubber grommets in the bottom of each bucket allow connection to a central drain/return to the rez. Simple system-only drawback is roots clogging the return. Spill containment is helpful .

GBAUTO said:

My 8 bucket RDWC system used a 396gph pond pump in a 17 gal rez plumbed to a central 1/2" pvc feed line to the buckets. 1/8"hose nipples feed dripper hose to each bucket. 1/2" rubber grommets in the bottom of each bucket allow connection to a central drain/return to the rez. Simple system-only drawback is roots clogging the return. Spill containment is helpful .

Click to expand...

Cool, that sounds fucking awsome

3/4" manifold to 1/2" waterfall lines.
2" return lines to an 8 gal ez store container for reservoir(current culture h20 style)
Uniseals and Bulkheads on the rez.
Your system, without ghevroot clogs, air pumps, and air stones. 1600gph pump.

Miniature one on this thread if you wanna check it out. The first version is in the very first post.


https://www.rollitup.org/t/i-gotta-lose-the-air-pumps-how-plus-my-awesome-mini-dwc.960807/page-2#post-14251657

Airwalker16 said:

Miniature one on this thread if you wanna check it out. The first version is in the very first post.


https://www.rollitup.org/t/i-gotta-lose-the-air-pumps-how-plus-my-awesome-mini-dwc.960807/page-2#post-14251657

Click to expand...

cwillis11bMember
New
Thank you very much. At specific parts that were hard to find to build your system. Always upsetting when trying to build something and I come up short on my parts list lol. But that is awsome.

Airwalker16 said:

3/4" manifold to 1/2" waterfall lines.
2" return lines to an 8 gal ez store container for reservoir(current culture h20 style)
Uniseals and Bulkheads on the rez.
Your system, without ghevroot clogs, air pumps, and air stones. 1600gph pump.
View attachment 4160804 View attachment 4160805 View attachment 4160806 View attachment 4160807

Click to expand...

Hell yeah. Industrial strength shit. That's where it's at. Good looking system.

Airwalker16 said:

Miniature one on this thread if you wanna check it out. The first version is in the very first post.


https://www.rollitup.org/t/i-gotta-lose-the-air-pumps-how-plus-my-awesome-mini-dwc.960807/page-2#post-14251657

Click to expand...

How do you combat the bio-slime on the return lines?

I run an RDWC with 5gal buckets on 1" drain lines, and the walls of my tubing is getting gunked up.... am unsure if the buckets will seal on a 2" line...

Flagg420 said:

How do you combat the bio-slime on the return lines?

I run an RDWC with 5gal buckets on 1" drain lines, and the walls of my tubing is getting gunked up.... am unsure if the buckets will seal on a 2" line...

Click to expand...

They seal with uniseals. Just use a 3" Hole saw.
As far as slime, you wipe it off man. Haha.
Also. If you're not using a chiller, slimes much more of a problem. It's a lot less of an issue at constant 66*-68* water.

what is the best method to prevent root clogs?

thinking about trying one of these. anyone use anything like this?

i am in the middle of my first RDWC run and have had roots travel clear back to my control rez. this bulkhead strainer looks like it could clog just as easily really.

I looked at those when I was searching for bulkhead fittings. Only reservation I have is that you'll still get root intrusion into the fitting and now they will be intertwined into that cage. Other than doing a visual inspection and repositioning of the root ball, I don't know if that cage will resolve any problems.

I came across this.... pretty fucking legit

https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=YEeRVIyzUFQ#

GBAUTO said:

I looked at those when I was searching for bulkhead fittings. Only reservation I have is that you'll still get root intrusion into the fitting and now they will be intertwined into that cage. Other than doing a visual inspection and repositioning of the root ball, I don't know if that cage will resolve any problems.

Click to expand...

thanks, that is kinda what i thought also...

i just need to eliminate two plants from my system so i can access the other 6 easily.