NFT flow calculation

[darkhollo]

I know that NFT requires a certain flow per minute past each site.. Is there a good algorithm for calculating this?

I want to run (6) 6" pipes of about 5 or 6 feet a piece.. so that's 30 to 36 feet of 6" pipe.. what size pump would I need?

It's such a basic question but I can't seem to answer it via google or icmag search.

TIA,
--dh

 

[CMoon]

gulley system ive run 3 x3 feet had an optimun flow rate of 1.5 litres per min in full bloom if it helps

cmoon

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[ogenko]

i saw this on another site regarding nft flow rate
"F. A maximumm of 34 fluid ounces per minute should be the nutrient flow rate down an NFT gully. This will provide the necessary liquid film to provide maximum growth and air to the root systems of the plants."
which works out to 1 liter/minute
or 16 gallons/hour = 60 liters/hour
not a whole lot at all

 

[darkhollo]

So how does one scale a pump to # of linear feet of gully? Or do you assume
100 GPH pump, diverted to 5 outputs.. will yield 20 GPH per output and length doesn't matter? It just seems like there is more to the story here.

The most expensive tool you buy is the one you buy twice!

replace tool with pump here.. just wondered before I drop the hammer on something I don't need.

--dh

 

[ogenko]

i put the tiniest little 60gph pump on mine and it pushes 2 spaghetti lines like this
wont know how well it works for a month or two sorry