RDWC Pump Size GPM Question

I am building a 10-site RDWC system modeled after a current culture system (13gal square buckets). I am making a few changes and need some advice. I want to top feed the system (I don't mean at the plant, I mean achieve the waterfall effect / turbulence with 90 deg. elbows grommet-ed into the bucket near the top) I want to try to use 3/4" supply lines, and use two 792 GPM pumps to feed the supply (hooked parallel style into the supply circuit, each pump having its own interface to the control with a 1" hose) Will that be too much delivery with 3" returns ? (I already have the pumps and 3/4" lines/fittings.)

I will be using 3" returns but will not be using the single bottleneck return to the control bucket like the factory does it - and instead - bring 2 return lines into the control (10 buckets = two lines of 5 buckets with each line of 5 having its own return port into the control)

Each plant has a dedicated 400W HPS (air cooled). Other details: 8" netpots, 25 gallon make up reservoir, air stone in each bucket.

Each plant will be grown scrog style with a 2.5" x 3" footprint per plant/light.

20 yrs ebb and flow hydro growing experience, 1st post!

Gregger1 said:

I am building a 10-site RDWC system modeled after a current culture system (13gal square buckets). I am making a few changes and need some advice. I want to top feed the system (I don't mean at the plant, I mean achieve the waterfall effect / turbulence with 90 deg. elbows grommet-ed into the bucket near the top) I want to try to use 3/4" supply lines, and use two 792 GPM pumps to feed the supply (hooked parallel style into the supply circuit, each pump having its own interface to the control with a 1" hose) Will that be too much delivery with 3" returns ? (I already have the pumps and 3/4" lines/fittings.)

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nope, it will work fine. running nearly identical setup but two 1200gph with 2" with no probs. i prefer 3", but used what i had. if i were you, i'd run a parallel manifold a few inches below your ports, 1" supply, 3/4" waterfalls. t vertically and 90° into your buckets then gravity ensures equal pressure to every waterfall simultaneously.

My system is built around 1" return lines and bulkhead fittings, 4 to a tubsite.

My topfeed supply manifold is another 1" line with tee fittings to supply 1/2" lines to each site. At the tub, there's a 90 degree elbow fitting that fits through a hole in the lid.

Up to a dozen sites can easily be handled by just one 633gph pump.

cat of curiosity said:

nope, it will work fine. running nearly identical setup but two 1200gph with 2" with no probs. i prefer 3", but used what i had. if i were you, i'd run a parallel manifold a few inches below your ports, 1" supply, 3/4" waterfalls. t vertically and 90° into your buckets then gravity ensures equal pressure to every waterfall simultaneously.

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Thanks very much for that reply Cat. I feel better about the direction I am going in now, and the manifold idea is golden - I will be doing exactly that. I was playing with manifold ideas using one of these - they come in all sorts of configurations but I have come to realize probably not the best thing......

Gregger1 said:

Thanks very much for that reply Cat. I feel better about the direction I am going in now, and the manifold idea is golden - I will be doing exactly that. I was playing with manifold ideas using one of these - they come in all sorts of configurations but I have come to realize probably not the best thing......View attachment 4030129

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Why not?

Mine is made of irrigation system parts but it works great.