I'm building a 5 site rdwc. It will stretch across 10 feet. My plan is to have waterfalls at each site. I'm looking at a 1200 gph danner water pump on Amazon. Will this be strong enough to create the DO needed for this type of system. I'll be running 2" pvc between totes and 1" return to res.
Water pump sizing
- Thread starter Rdot03
- Start date
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
A 600gph does my 8 sites of 5gals plus a res perfect.
I'm running 5 17 gallon totes plus same size res so I'm thinking 60 gallons
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
Anywhere 600-1000gph will do you just fine.
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
3" bulkheads/uniseals are a bit more pricey, but you'll be a lot better off using it over 2" on account of how much water has to move between totes back to the res.
2" worked fine for me because I'm only on a 600gph and it's being pulled back through 8 buckets. It'd still work for you, but just a suggestion to use 3".
2" worked fine for me because I'm only on a 600gph and it's being pulled back through 8 buckets. It'd still work for you, but just a suggestion to use 3".
Damn on I already got the stuff for 2" I'll see what I can do
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
You'll be fine with 2". 3" just would have been slightly better
Do you think I should make my return 2" with ball valve or go 2" down to 1" to my res
rkymtnman
Well-Known Member
if you have a floor drain anywhere near your grow room, run a pvc drain line to it and a valve.
that's how i built mine: could drain the whole thing in minutes.
Renfro
Well-Known Member
Why would you want a ball valve on the return? Definitely don't reduce the return.
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
You don't want to restrict the gravity return lines by anymeans. The 2". I never needed a ball valve doubt you will either. You wanna use 3/4" PVC from the res up, out and to each site, then reduce to 1/2" vinyl to an elbow going In through a grommet.
I GOTTA LOSE THE AIR PUMPS! HOW?! Plus my awesome mini DWC :)
That's cool man. Pretty low-key. I think you'll be surprised at the pressure of mine. i can't remember now, but its some where around 5-600 gph
www.rollitup.org
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Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
Ya, I originally had a 1600gph on it and it was just way overkill. Now I use that for my Aero setup for moms and newer strains starting out to sex em. That high GPH gets the water up the 5 feet it needs to go to reach the sprayers. Lotta head pressure to defeat and that pump does the trick. turns on every 14mins for 1min.
Unfortunately I dont
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
A high powered, high volume shop vac is your best fuckin friend.
Here's a pro tip. In between each run when draining the system to refill for a new set of plants, leave about 1/2" of water in each tote before vacuuming it all out and then wiping out THOROUGHLY with a CLEAN TOWEL, so that you can use a plastic wire bristly like brush to dip the brush in.
Clean the uniseals/bulkheads with the brush and use the brush to get inside the pipes best Ya can. Lucky for you, using the 2", Harbor Freight sells a 2 piece set that fits perfectly for the piping to clean the walls.
One more tip, you do want your bulkheads/uniseals low on the totes for obvious reasons, but it's really beneficial to leave maybe a 1/2" gap between the bottom of the tote and the bottom of the uniseals/bulkheads. Otherwise cleaning inbetween that tight space is a bitch. I have to use a towel edge pulled taught, to run through the slit to clean it. Wish my brush could just get in there.
You MUST CLEAN AFTER EVERY RUN!!!
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
These are things you don't learn until after you've already done made the mistake. Hopefully you'll take it all into consideration and it will benefit your total outcome along your build.
Also, here's the brush set I'm talking about that I've been using. Works great. I'd pick it up if I were you for sure to clean your system after each run.
www.harborfreight.com
By the way, you'll only fully drain your system after each harvest. With your size and mine alike, they drink so fast that you don't even get a chance to "swap out, refresh or replace" the water. All you'll ever do is fill the res with 5-10 gals a day.
Also, here's the brush set I'm talking about that I've been using. Works great. I'd pick it up if I were you for sure to clean your system after each run.
Deluxe Wheel & Grill Brush, 2 Piece
Amazing deals on this 2Pc Deluxe Wheel & Grill Brush at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
By the way, you'll only fully drain your system after each harvest. With your size and mine alike, they drink so fast that you don't even get a chance to "swap out, refresh or replace" the water. All you'll ever do is fill the res with 5-10 gals a day.
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ttystikk
Well-Known Member
Would you believe, too big? 5 sites can easily be managed by a 400gph pump. Small is beautiful; saves Watts, less heat and perhaps most overlooked, it also minimises uneven water levels between tubsites.
Renfro
Well-Known Member
Especially the ones with the pump out feature.