looking for some advice on Venturis

[Bennyweed1]

I finally found all the parts that work together to build the RDWC system I have always wanted with out spending the big bucks on a Current Culture RDWC system.

I want to utilize my pump for more than just recirculating water, I want to incorporate a venturi, thus reducing the amount of air pumps needed.

All RDWC systems out there utilize a control bucket, which the return water coming off the pump head is pumped into, making a waterfall effect and creating dissolved o2.

Personally, I think this step is pointless and do not see any purpose in it. With the amount of under current, dissolved oxygen is being moved very quickly from bucket to bucket. I would rather pump water from the control bucket into the first two leading buckets of the RDWC chain. This way the pump pressure is used to create oxygen for the plants, not a control bucket.

Instead of having water pumped from the top, creating a waterfall from the pressure off the pump, I want to pump it in from the bottom utilizing a venturi. This way one would eliminate the violent pressure off the pump head spraying down on the roots.

Here is where I am stuck in my head. It is said you want high levels of dissolved oxygen in your system as a whole, but no where is it said how that dissolved oxygen is affected depending on where it is injected.

If dissolved o2 is measured merely on the output of your pump, then hypothetically, why not drop an air stone off a massive air pump into the control bucket and inject the o2 into the system as a whole and call it a day? It doesnt work like that, o2 is measured per plant site. SO why are all RDWC systems setup to oxygenate the control bucket? I dont get it, it seems so pointless and a waste of your pump.

Does a venturi diminish the amount for flow from the pump? Can a venturi be installed in each buckhead connecting each bucket together?

I think this requires experimentation.

I have a dream of someday eliminated the need for air pumps in a RDWC system. The amount of airpumps needed for a 8 bucket system is in the upwords of 180w. Thats a lot of energy if your pump can be used for more then just under current.

 

[zerocool21]

here ill do the work for you, or at least tell you what type of setup to do to remove the air pump. look into a wet dry filter that is used in fresh/salt water setups. thats the way id go, that or just having a pump in a res. have an a lot of surface agitation, as thats the way co2 is removed an o2 is added is more surface area.

as to your ? on the vent. yes it does 100% slow down the flow being put out just guesstimation 20-30% depending on how much its air its pulling as the air is taking up space where there would normally be just water.

but depending on how large of a set up it had to areate for id be pretty dam confident it would hold out just fine. another way to get that effect, that will work on larger systems is having each entry and exit point be on the top an bottom of each container. in doing so you can have the water thats entering each container be above the water line and fall into it naturally aerating the water, id use a T connection inside each container.

hope u can understand what im trying to say

 

[newbie2006]

I recently built a venturi for my DWC bucket.

According to this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jo75ybT6_Hc

It was the simplest video I could find.

Note Zerocool's suggestion about the T connector; check the video and you might get inspired combining these two suggestions. You could have the water go thru an aerating T connector (check the video) sucking the air into the stream that would waterfall a bit; talk about double whammy!

 

[overbudjet]

I finally found all the parts that work together to build the RDWC system I have always wanted with out spending the big bucks on a Current Culture RDWC system.

I want to utilize my pump for more than just recirculating water, I want to incorporate a venturi, thus reducing the amount of air pumps needed.

All RDWC systems out there utilize a control bucket, which the return water coming off the pump head is pumped into, making a waterfall effect and creating dissolved o2.

Personally, I think this step is pointless and do not see any purpose in it. With the amount of under current, dissolved oxygen is being moved very quickly from bucket to bucket. I would rather pump water from the control bucket into the first two leading buckets of the RDWC chain. This way the pump pressure is used to create oxygen for the plants, not a control bucket.

Instead of having water pumped from the top, creating a waterfall from the pressure off the pump, I want to pump it in from the bottom utilizing a venturi. This way one would eliminate the violent pressure off the pump head spraying down on the roots.

Here is where I am stuck in my head. It is said you want high levels of dissolved oxygen in your system as a whole, but no where is it said how that dissolved oxygen is affected depending on where it is injected.

If dissolved o2 is measured merely on the output of your pump, then hypothetically, why not drop an air stone off a massive air pump into the control bucket and inject the o2 into the system as a whole and call it a day? It doesnt work like that, o2 is measured per plant site. SO why are all RDWC systems setup to oxygenate the control bucket? I dont get it, it seems so pointless and a waste of your pump.

Does a venturi diminish the amount for flow from the pump? Can a venturi be installed in each buckhead connecting each bucket together?

I think this requires experimentation.

I have a dream of someday eliminated the need for air pumps in a RDWC system. The amount of airpumps needed for a 8 bucket system is in the upwords of 180w. Thats a lot of energy if your pump can be used for more then just under current.

Hi there
I use a DIY modded UC since almost 4 years without air pump,i only use waterfall
Effect to add o2.The waterfall is acheive in a second bucket just before plant site.
Girl's without any airpump to input O2.

 

[Bennyweed1]

Hi there
I use a DIY modded UC since almost 4 years without air pump,i only use waterfall
Effect to add o2.The waterfall is acheive in a second bucket just before plant site.
Girl's without any airpump to input O2.
[URL=https://www.icmag.com/ic/picture.php?albumid=12297&pictureid=471937&thumb=1]View Image[/url] [URL=https://www.icmag.com/ic/picture.php?albumid=52497&pictureid=1228041&thumb=1]View Image[/url]

That's awesome. How many buckets are in your system and do have a water fall in each bucket?

Can you give me some details like pump size, piping diameter supplying the water falls?

 

[overbudjet]

Bio-UC system
Using 5 16 gal. tub and 1 5 gal bucket.
First tub is holding pump(2 ecojet1056) and also a fish filter,i use it as a rez to mix nute and ajust ph etc.Water is after pump to the 5 gal.bucket(I call it oxy )this bucket also house a ss chiller and volcanic rock at bottom (water break over rock 18"inch and it's a place where the beneficial can thrive)after the water go to each site UC using 3"pipe some pic's of the first build 4 site at that time.

 

[sheepsblood]

Waterfall + Venturi - Air stones= Plenty of DO

Waterfall + Venturi - Air stones= Plenty of DO

Hi OverBudJet.

Sorry, I am new to ICMag but not to growing, so I had to write you via this thread because it won't let me PM you. I am new to ICMag but not to growing.

I have a question obviously for you. You stated that you use a waterfall and no air pump in your RDWC.
I like this idea and was concerned that if I didn't run bubblers in each bucket that it would cause an issue. Though what you have said now reassures me. I am planning on doing something similar.
I will be incorporating a waterfall on the return side like yours, but also I am adding a Venturi to the Mag Pump pressurized outlet side that goes to the buckets. This way I will ensure I have enough dissolved oxygen and the healthiest water possible.

I am just looking for any input you may have on this idea or any issues you may have discovered with your waterfall. I would love to know any tips or tricks you may have discovered.

Thank you.

 

[Grownomenal]

Waterfall is the way to go. Easy on roots and adds oxygen. I was told by someone with more experience that when doing waterfall just shoot for high gpm. More turn over equals more oxygen. I'm going to try and measure DO TDS and PH on my next grow. Sensors and instrumentation have come a long way in the last ten years.