ttystikk's hydro technique.

JDMase

Well-Known Member
I was disgusted with the piss poor design of the Undercurrent, from their PVC and cheap seals to the design of the water flow. I don't use air pumps or stones- they do. I use a manifold that delivers water evenly to every tubsite, they don't. The only bucket with a waterfall in it is the only one they DON'T want you to put plants in! WTF?!

Soooooo I redesigned the whole thing with 1" bulkhead fittings and flexible hose. Now it can be disassembled and reconfigured in minutes. Waterfalls in every tub create ideal conditions for root growth with no excess equipment. Better design eliminates the need for chilling. Simpler is better because there are fewer points of failure and the whole system is less expensive to buy and operate.
Sounds like a really fun well thought out project. Are there any pictures on the forum of it? Id love to see how it works.
 

PetFlora

Well-Known Member
Here's my 'waterfalls' Since i have to keep rezes covered to prevent mosquito infestation, in the igloo it is only a couple inches above, but I use a 600 gph pump, so it splashes hard over the stones and platonic solid shapes

The other is a fountain head, so I have to keep the lid on or it splashes out onto the floor. I still plan on getting an emitter.
 

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Budley Doright

Well-Known Member
Here's my 'waterfalls' Since i have to keep rezes covered to prevent mosquito infestation, in the igloo it is only a couple inches above, but I use a 600 gph pump, so it splashes hard over the stones and platonic solid shapes

The other is a fountain head, so I have to keep the lid on or it splashes out onto the floor. I still plan on getting an emitter.
Not to take away from the thread but.... mosquitoes require stagnant (non moving) water or dry ground to lay eggs :(.
 

PetFlora

Well-Known Member
Not to take away from the thread but.... mosquitoes require stagnant (non moving) water or dry ground to lay eggs :(.
Regarding DO, there is no need to constantly recirculate. There are hours when the rez is not moving. I tried running a small pump, but it overheated the nutes.

Once the eggs are laid, they get drawn into the grow totes with the floods. That was a nightmare. Impossible to get rid of them as they hid in the roots. I solved the problem by adding lids to the grow totes and the rezes
 

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
Regarding DO, there is no need to constantly recirculate. There are hours when the rez is not moving. I tried running a small pump, but it overheated the nutes.

Once the eggs are laid, they get drawn into the grow totes with the floods. That was a nightmare. Impossible to get rid of them as they hid in the roots. I solved the problem by adding lids to the grow totes and the rezes
An interesting problem I've never had.
 

diabach

New Member
I was disgusted with the piss poor design of the Undercurrent, from their PVC and cheap seals to the design of the water flow. I don't use air pumps or stones- they do. I use a manifold that delivers water evenly to every tubsite, they don't. The only bucket with a waterfall in it is the only one they DON'T want you to put plants in! WTF?!

Soooooo I redesigned the whole thing with 1" bulkhead fittings and flexible hose. Now it can be disassembled and reconfigured in minutes. Waterfalls in every tub create ideal conditions for root growth with no excess equipment. Better design eliminates the need for chilling. Simpler is better because there are fewer points of failure and the whole system is less expensive to buy and operate.
Hi I am new to Rdwc and wondered what the best one to buy ?
 

PetFlora

Well-Known Member
first, the concave bucket bottom, plus, the bottom flood/drain eliminates any standing nutrients, and the inserts air prune

seems awesome to me
 

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
My relatively standard RDWC tubs with waterfalls are producing impressive growth without air pumps or stones- or even active water chilling.

One of my main design goals is simplicity. Less shit involved is cheaper and less to break.
 

febisfebi

Well-Known Member
@ttystikk, long time, glad to see you are still alive and kickin! Its been almost a couple years since I first started reading your vertical thread, but haven't had much time for RIU for a while now. I just finished up reading the last 75 or so pages I had left finally, which is how I happened across this thread. First off, deepest condolences for your situation. Myself, and everyone else here all wish you nothing but the best on that regard. Keep fighting the good fight! As you mentioned, It will set a much needed precedent when you win!

I am continually intrigued with your work and how things have progressed over the years. One of the things I have always liked best is your super awesome water chiller and all the different uses you have made out of it. It seems that your once actively chilled COB water cooling circuit, last I read you had sealed it off, full of water turning it into a giant passive heat sink rather than adding a separate heating system to the room. More recently I have read that you are running RDWC+waterfalls without active chilling. Gotta love them waterfalls. Best way to add DO hands down. That's not even considering the fact that now we are learning, that just by using them, and removing the air stones, (which are likely adding more heat than DO) The need for active res chilling may no longer necessary depending on the ambient situation I'm sure.
This leads me wonder, how much use does that badass water chiller get these days? assuming you are still running it. Edit: Are the radiators (air handlers) still providing temp control, and dehuey?
And what are your water temps like, sans active chilling? I am guessing there is some variation. I'm hoping you have recorded min/max/average. Also curious, what are the ambient temps for comparison sake.
 
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