RDWC air pump size?

[SoLowDolo]

What's up guys, I am currently building my own RDWC system and I'm worried the air pump I have might be too small. It is 20W, 45 L/min.

My system is a 6 bucket system with 1 control bucket. They are each 4 gallons. Will that be big enough? How do you figure out what size you need?

Here's a pic

 

[Hugo Phurst]

IMO, yes that's too small for 6 plants. Kinda like light, it's hard to have too much.
I have a 70L/min for 2 plants, looks like the water is boiling.

Good luck

 

[SoLowDolo]

IMO, yes that's too small for 6 plants. Kinda like light, it's hard to have too much.
I have a 70L/min for 2 plants, looks like the water is boiling.

Good luck

Thanks for the reply bro. Is there a size you would recommend?

or is there a way to figure it out? Like so many watts per bucket or something? For example, 6 buckets X 5 watts each = 30 watt pump.

 

[Airwalker16]

What's up guys, I am currently building my own RDWC system and I'm worried the air pump I have might be too small. It is 20W, 45 L/min.

My system is a 6 bucket system with 1 control bucket. They are each 4 gallons. Will that be big enough? How do you figure out what size you need?

Here's a pic
View attachment 4263663

You're close to being able to just use the large pipes as returns to the reservoir and if you build a manifold from 3/4" PVC to 1/2" black vinyl hose, you can waterfall into each bucket and completely eliminate the need for an air pump at all.

https://www.rollitup.org/t/i-gotta-lose-the-air-pumps-how-plus-my-awesome-mini-dwc.960807/page-3#post-14262160

 

[Hugo Phurst]

Thanks for the reply bro. Is there a size you would recommend?

or is there a way to figure it out? Like so many watts per bucket or something? For example, 6 buckets X 5 watts each = 30 watt pump.

Not to my knowledge.
My 70/min is 60w, but the Whisper 30-60's I use are 40w each and I'm using 2 of them on one plant. I think that two more pumps like the one you have would do nicely.

 

[SoLowDolo]

You're close to being able to just use the large pipes as returns to the reservoir and if you build a manifold from 3/4" PVC to 1/2" black vinyl hose, you can waterfall into each bucket and completely eliminate the need for an air pump at all.

https://www.rollitup.org/t/i-gotta-lose-the-air-pumps-how-plus-my-awesome-mini-dwc.960807/page-3#post-14262160

View attachment 4263678 View attachment 4263679 View attachment 4263680

Cool, I'm about to really look into this. But if I understand correctly, I can basically eliminate that "T" I have at the end of my set up that returns the water back to my control bucket. Then reverse the flow of water so it comes from the control bucket and out of the manifold spilling into each bucket?

 

[GBAUTO]

You're close to being able to just use the large pipes as returns to the reservoir and if you build a manifold from 3/4" PVC to 1/2" black vinyl hose, you can waterfall into each bucket and completely eliminate the need for an air pump at all.

https://www.rollitup.org/t/i-gotta-lose-the-air-pumps-how-plus-my-awesome-mini-dwc.960807/page-3#post-14262160

View attachment 4263678 View attachment 4263679 View attachment 4263680

I originally used a 3900lph(65lpm) pump on my 8 bucket system. Did a good job but I agree with Airwalker on converting to a waterfall system. Eliminates the additional heat from compressing air and simplifies your system. My 4-17gal tote UC system doesn't even use a control rez, just pulls from the end of the stream and returns to the beginning with a pair of waterfalls. Simple and effective.

 

[SoLowDolo]

Here's a quick blueprint I just drew up. Something like this maybe? Hell, maybe I'll build them both and compare lol

 

[Airwalker16]

Cool, I'm about to really look into this. But if I understand correctly, I can basically eliminate that "T" I have at the end of my set up that returns the water back to my control bucket. Then reverse the flow of water so it comes from the control bucket and out of the manifold spilling into each bucket?

Yup. Either buy new buckets for the end so it's just one hole cut or find a cap for the pipe at the end. Manifold from the main control res to each bucket and as they fill, gravity will pull the water through your large pipes back to the control.

 

[Airwalker16]

Here's a quick blueprint I just drew up. Something like this maybe? Hell, maybe I'll build them both and compare lol
View attachment 4263702

That's exactly right

 

[Airwalker16]

Local plumbing store, probably not home depot, will have these 1/2" "funny pipe" barbed fitting with male threads. Youll use 6x 3/4"-1/2" female threaded bushing to glue in to the 2x 3/4" Crosses and the one Tee at the end. That way you can thread those funny pipe fittings directly into the 3/4" crosses and tee so you can convert from PVC to hard black vinyl tubing like in the pics.

 

[Airwalker16]

What's up guys, I am currently building my own RDWC system and I'm worried the air pump I have might be too small. It is 20W, 45 L/min.

My system is a 6 bucket system with 1 control bucket. They are each 4 gallons. Will that be big enough? How do you figure out what size you need?

Here's a pic
View attachment 4263663

If this is going in a tent, I suggest extending all piping between res and first buckets so you can keep it outside.
Either cut the X holes far apart how it is now to let the pipe exit the tent, or use elbows right after last bucket before res and bring them close together so the X holes can be cut close together near the center of the tent wall.

 

[SoLowDolo]

Local plumbing store, probably not home depot, will have these 1/2" "funny pipe" barbed fitting with male threads. Youll use 6x 3/4"-1/2" female threaded bushing to glue in to the 2x 3/4" Crosses and the one Tee at the end. That way you can thread those funny pipe fittings directly into the 3/4" crosses and tee so you can convert from PVC to hard black vinyl tubing like in the pics.

Awesome bro! Thanks for all the advice!

 

[Airwalker16]

Ya man, please do feel free to ask any questions you may have. I gave Ya the idea, so I gotta help Ya fulfill it.
Just do take pics along the way as you build.

 

[Airwalker16]

I originally used a 3900lph(65lpm) pump on my 8 bucket system. Did a good job but I agree with Airwalker on converting to a waterfall system. Eliminates the additional heat from compressing air and simplifies your system. My 4-17gal tote UC system doesn't even use a control rez, just pulls from the end of the stream and returns to the beginning with a pair of waterfalls. Simple and effective.

What do you mean "end of the stream"?
Pics?

 

[Airwalker16]

BTW, a 500-800 gph pump will be all you need. If you can use it inline, not a bad idea, but if it is submersible, you'll just use a small piece 1-1/2" long of 3/4" threaded extender through your res lid, connected to the manifold by 3/4" double threaded end elbow and either a straight or elbow 3/4" female threads to barbed end to connect to your pump with 3/4"-1" black vinyl tubing.

 

[mytwhyt]

Home Depot has the 1/2 Male thread to 1/2 barb.. That's where i bought mine..

 

[Airwalker16]

Home Depot has the 1/2 Male thread to 1/2 barb.. That's where i bought mine..

Nice. Those blue and grey ones aren't the same as these though. These leave the build looking clean.
Make sure you remember to use Teflon tape for those threads!!!

 

[Mr_Manny_D]

What's up guys, I am currently building my own RDWC system and I'm worried the air pump I have might be too small. It is 20W, 45 L/min.

My system is a 6 bucket system with 1 control bucket. They are each 4 gallons. Will that be big enough? How do you figure out what size you need?

Here's a pic
View attachment 4263663

I recognize that system design. I'm in the process of building mine,,but with 12, 12gal totes. Heisen has taught me a lot.