Reservoir question?

Hello so I built my own RDWC this is my second build, for some reason I have to keep filling my reservoir every two to three days I was wondering if there is a way to add more water to reservoir without it going to the rest of my buckets and killing my plants and flooding my system?

Lots of plants take lots of work

Very true indeed

Short answer yes.. I haven't built an rdwc but my understanding of it is as long as your control rez water level doesn't exceed the level of what your buckets are at in height than you're good. If height is an issue then you would get a wider control rez to hold more water at an equal-to or less-than water level. It could also help to use a float valve which will also assist with concerns of flood or depending on gravity.

The amount of water my 45 gal system uses daily depends on plant growth.
During vigorous growth, it's not unusual for me to add 5-6 gallons/day to top off the system.
When they are young, I may only need to add a gallon.

Okay, i feel better then. I have 15 12gal totes running just wanted to make sure I'm not off.

Wyche431 said:

I have to keep filling my reservoir every two to three days I was wondering if there is a way to add more water to reservoir without it going to the rest of my buckets and killing my plants and flooding my system?

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Float valve? Not really sure what you are asking honestly.

Hey Renfro, I'll attach photo of setup. My plants are drinking a lot which in turn is making me top off often. I was wondering if there was a way to fill my central rez more without drowning my plants. The only thing I can think of is to add a lid to all my totes which will raise the bottom of my net pot so I can add more nutrient solution to central rez. Hopefully I explained it a little better for you.

The level will stay the same throughout the system so aside from a larger reservoir (meaning wider not taller) the best fix is a float valve that keeps the level from dropping.

I dont have time to give a super detailed reply but check out some of my stuff and it may give you some ideas on how to run an auto-top off.
I ran 12 17 gallon sites with fairly large plants for 2 grows and they could drink my 55 gallon top of barrel in I think 4 days was the shortest with 9 plants.

Use these in your pots with a main rez running to them.
Specifications:



Body material: ABS plastic+washer+EPDM

Floating ball material: PE

Valve core material: NR

Color: as pictures show

Thread size: DN15, 1/2 inch

Valve overall length: approx. 15 cm (outer rib mouth 2.8cm NOT included)

Suitable for water temperature: -30 degrees Celsius ~ 70 degrees Celsius

Suitable for water pressure: 0.02-1.0 MPA

Medium: water, high corrosive chemical media, weak acid media

Wyche431 said:

Hello so I built my own RDWC this is my second build, for some reason I have to keep filling my reservoir every two to three days I was wondering if there is a way to add more water to reservoir without it going to the rest of my buckets and killing my plants and flooding my system?

Click to expand...

I had to read your question several times, because I thought I was missing something.
But I guess you are aware of the fact that float valves exist?

Don't even bother with a float system. You still have to keep up with the PH down and no way to do that automatically right.

twistedwords said:

Don't even bother with a float system. You still have to keep up with the PH down and no way to do that automatically right.

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dosing pump

Renfro said:

dosing pump

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They don't work that well. You have to calibrate the PH meter all the time!

twistedwords said:

They don't work that well. You have to calibrate the PH meter all the time!

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Buy a better brand.
I have a Bluelab. Almost never have to calibrate it.
I check it of course, because I want to be sure, but almost never have to calibrate it.

twistedwords said:

Don't even bother with a float system. You still have to keep up with the PH down and no way to do that automatically right.

Click to expand...

well thaught of, i missed that . but im not a hydro grower

how do you keep up with PH when it fluctuates so much during the day anyway?? do you just choose a time of day to a adjust PH and leave the res up to its own devices or adjust it several times a day????

go go kid said:

how do you keep up with PH when it fluctuates so much during the day anyway?? do you just choose a time of day to a adjust PH and leave the res up to its own devices or adjust it several times a day????

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Dude, read the posts.

twistedwords said:

They don't work that well. You have to calibrate the PH meter all the time!

Click to expand...

They work great! I dunno what one you tried but as @Keesje mentioned the blue lab is awesome.