Appropriate PVC size?

Hey, just wondering if anyone out there has any experience building a hydro system with a 10" wide PVC? Not sure, but seems a bit large

What kind of system?
please be a little more specific.

Want to do a nft. Was going to use 5" planters, but even they seem like they would be to small in this big pipe. Not sure if the water is going to reach the roots

Do a search for Stinkbud's NFT system. I've built two of them and they are the shit! BTW, I'm moving this out of the DIY forum; this isn't the place for asking questions.

mooner420 said:

Hey, just wondering if anyone out there has any experience building a hydro system with a 10" wide PVC? Not sure, but seems a bit large

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You trying some kind of Hydro NTF system?...If (big IF) that's the purpose, I recall the popular thing was using vinyl rain gutters in lieu of...

I started a couple of systems in 6" and 8" pvc with 2" and 3" net pots and an inside sprayer bar (1/2"pvc), but I never finished it to the point I could grow in it, I have it all in the barn, maybe I will resurrect it and give it a go someday, right now I am in a dtw/coco setup and like it a lot.
10" will be even better, as there is more room internally for the roots and drainage.I had it set up for 2 pumps in each tube, ( the inside headers are actually separate, the "t's" in the middle are blocked off so each side is separate) so if I lost a pump, I still fed the plants.


Give it a go, I would like to see it in operation, hell, I might just go knock the dust off of this setup and take that trip with ya..lol

Peace and Great Grows

Asmallvoice

Thanks a lot guys, you've helped out quite a bit. The initial plan was to turn a piece of 10" PVC into a hydro NFT system. After trouble shooting things, and trying to figure out design, etc, I started doubting if such a large tube would work. All the reference material I was coming across only seems to use 6" pipe for their systems. Seemed as though the "thin film" of water running along the bottom of the tube would have to be about 3 or 4 inches deep just to reach the roots. Then the concern about the roots being submerged in too much liquid would damage the plants, or the water pressure needed to flood that tube would be too high, and again, damage the roots. I do like the idea of putting spray nozzles inside the pipe. Seems like a good solution. I am new to this site, I appreciate all the help so far, keep it coming. Will defenately post pics as I progress

Just a quick thought: instead of using a small piece of PVC with the spray nozzles inside the larger pipe, could I substitute that with a sprinkler hose?

mooner420 said:

Just a quick thought: instead of using a small piece of PVC with the spray nozzles inside the larger pipe, could I substitute that with a sprinkler hose?

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That would work. All it needs is a transport system to get the water and nutes flowing in the tube. Just make sure to use a timer; it only needs to run for about a minute every 5-10 minutes.

mooner420 said:

Seemed as though the "thin film" of water running along the bottom of the tube would have to be about 3 or 4 inches deep just to reach the roots.

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Yes, NFT isn't particularly useful for growing cannabis plants as it would require a wide tray to spread out the roots enough to be covered by a film of nutrient solution. Without a film it's not an NFT anymore. It's DFT, which is short for Deep Flow Technique. www.google.com.

mooner420 said:

Then the concern about the roots being submerged in too much liquid would damage the plants, or the water pressure needed to flood that tube would be too high, and again, damage the roots.

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Not a realistic concern. The circulation keeps the nutrient solution aerated. I used a backup airpump in the rez just in case though. Better aeration is the advantage of the film in NFT, since you're going deeper you need to make sure there's plenty of aeration for example by dropping the return water back in the rez. Being submerged in the nutrient solution 24/7 (leave pump on always) as supposed to for NFT and DFT IS hydroponics and is an advantage (stable temps, healthier, no built up) and not a concern. Circulating fast enough is essential in NFT and DFT (no spatial effect of nutes, roots can take up all elements on every bit of root, last plant gets the same as first in tray). I do use sprayers to fill my tubes but going to remove them for next improved setup cause they aren't necessary.

Best bet is just a 1in cpvc pipe and a 14$ pond pump from lowes. Works fine unless your growing 20 plus plants. I use 1in cpvc for all my drips systems. Havent had a problem yet.