Bulkhead fittings and threads

I guess I could fit four of the yellow lid totes if I alter the direction of each one
Like this:

- |
| -
 
i had 2 of those 27 gal in a 3x4 area. was tight but they fit perfectly. and one outside as the control tub.

i almost went the uniseal route. the only problem i read about was what you mentioned. if you start moving tubs around a bit, theycan get out of whack and leak.

that's another thing to consider on your end: are you prepared to join the "flood club"? i had a floor drain really close by just in case.
 
rkymtnman said:
i almost went the uniseal route. the only problem i read about was what you mentioned. if you start moving tubs around a bit, theycan get out of whack and leak.

that's another thing to consider on your end: are you prepared to join the "flood club"? i had a floor drain really close by just in case.
Click to expand...

LOL, yeah I've had my experiences with FEMA (Flooding Everything in My Area). Taking every precaution this time around. I'm going to have overflow pipes on each bucket and the res. A small effort to prevent a huge disaster, that's for sure. I don't imagine there would be a flood of epic proportions by a leaking bulkheads or uniseals though so I don't think I need a drain inside the tent. The overflow will drain outside the tent. It's purpose is to account for possible root blockage where the bucket can overfill.

This will be in my 10x16 shop and I have no problem cutting holes in it for feeds, drains, a/c, fan exhausts, etc.... I'm having hot and cold water piped into a utility sink that'll be next to the grow. Going to have a rainbarrel outside (In OR we get tons of rain). That'll feed my res. I'll have two float valves. One for the rainbarrel feed, and then one set a little lower to allow for the upper res to kick in for times when the rainbarrel's empty. The line for the sink will feed the upper res. PPM is really low here so I'm probably not going to use RO.

I've done a lot with pvc. From grows to sprinklers. But it's been 8 years since I grew so I'm trying to catch back up on important details.

I am determined to build the perfect system. I'm an engineer so this is just another fun project to build :-)

rkymtnman said:
i had 2 of those 27 gal in a 3x4 area. was tight but they fit perfectly. and one outside as the control tub.
Click to expand...

I'm still debating whether to have 4 tubs or two of those 39" long tubs. The individual tubs are 18 gallons each. But if I went with the two larger tubs, then we're talking 50 gallons each. I know more water is good because it helps keep a constant ph level, but is there a point where you can have too much water?

Thanks for all your help. All of this advice will certainly help me design a grow the way it should be designed.
 
with those 27 gals i used, by the time you add in how much the net pot hangs into the tub and at least a few inches of air b/t water level and net pot, i want to say they roughly held 15 gal each.

but yes, the more water usually equates to more stability pH wise.
 
I was thinking about how it would work if I used 4 of the yellow top containers above and alternated the direction of each one to fit in the tent. I don't think I'd be able to position the netpots properly in that configuration.

Anyone use four of those in a 4x4 tent?
 
how much weed are you trying to get per harvest?

i just had 4 plants in my rdwc. i had insufficient lights at the time for tall plants (4footers). with proper lights, i could have easily gotten 2lbs total.
 
Same as you. I'm trying to keep things small but it's so easy to get caught up in wanting "more", and so sizes creep, money creeps, etc... LOL

So I only want to grow for myself and have some left over to stock up for emergencies. I'm limited to having no more than 32oz at one time. I go through 3 to 4 oz a month, but would like to have 5 to 7 so that I can make brownies as well.

I'm going with a 1K HID and dimmable ballast.

Also going to have a 4' t5 for some bonsai mums which will be in my house.
 
Last edited:
based on lots of searching, advice, and what will work well in my 4x4, I'm deciding between using four containers or two:
4 18-gallon containers (23.5 x 18.1 x 15.1)
tufftote.png


or
2 50-gallon containers (39.75 x 21.5 x 17.1")
bigtote.png
 
Which do you think you'd go with? I know the yellow-topped containers are the best, but I'm going to have to settle for something a little less to be able to fit everything in the tent.

Thanks again for the feedback
 
i think it's the wall thickness that is most important. the yellow top ones are solidly made. if the ones you are looking at fit and are as sturdy, go for it.
 
rkymtnman said:
i think it's the wall thickness that is most important. the yellow top ones are solidly made. if the ones you are looking at fit and are as sturdy, go for it.
Click to expand...

Sorry, what I meant was, which would you choose based on water capacity? More water (2 containers) or less water (4 containers)?

As well as having much more room for roots with the larger containers
 
when i built mine, my thought was less containers equals less potential spots for leaks.

i had 2 plants per tote and the root balls were the size of beach balls. i think either way you'll have plenty of space for roots
 
rkymtnman said:
when i built mine, my thought was less containers equals less potential spots for leaks.

i had 2 plants per tote and the root balls were the size of beach balls. i think either way you'll have plenty of space for roots
Click to expand...


Great!
Thanks man, I appreciate your help

Ever have problems lifting the lid to inspect with two plants per?
 
JSB99 said:
Great!
Thanks man, I appreciate your help

Ever have problems lifting the lid to inspect with two plants per?
Click to expand...

kinda. when they got tall and full of buds you had to gently lift the lid up and make sure they didn't tip over.

generally though if all is well in your control tub, all should be well in the plant tubs
 
rkymtnman said:
kinda. when they got tall and full of buds you had to gently lift the lid up and make sure they didn't tip over.

generally though if all is well in your control tub, all should be well in the plant tubs
Click to expand...

Alright, those were all my questions LOL

Thanks again

BTW, going with 4 of the smaller ones. Looks like it'd be easier to maintain and have a little room to work. Plus they're supposed to be fairly strong.
 
Changed my mind :bigjoint: Looked at the layout and saw that I was going to have very little room with the 4, but looks pretty perfect with the two big one's.

I think I'm just posting to myself at this point LOL
 
rkymtnman said:
i had 2 of those 27 gal in a 3x4 area. was tight but they fit perfectly. and one outside as the control tub.

i almost went the uniseal route. the only problem i read about was what you mentioned. if you start moving tubs around a bit, theycan get out of whack and leak.

that's another thing to consider on your end: are you prepared to join the "flood club"? i had a floor drain really close by just in case.
Click to expand...

You dont have to move them around if you install a ball valve and a boiler drain on the return line. If you do that you can hook up a water hose and drain the system in less than 5 min. I also recommend a strainer and a second ball valve on that run before the pump as well.
 
two2brains said:
You dont have to move them around if you install a ball valve and a boiler drain on the return line. If you do that you can hook up a water hose and drain the system in less than 5 min. I also recommend a strainer and a second ball valve on that run before the pump as well.
Click to expand...

Gotcha.

So for the second ball valve and strainer, are you referring to something like the circled section in the pic below:
alien_filter_full.jpg


alien_filter_close-up.jpg



If so, is there a name for that particular type of filter, or are there better ones out there?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top