pump size help for watering system

[Chewwy]

For the last several years I have been hand watering 5 gallon buckets and I've decided to build a pvc watering system but im having some issues with it.

I built a 22 site system using 1" pvc with 1/2" open ended lines going to each 5 gallon bucket(1 line per bucket). My problem is that not all of the lines are working evenly and a few dont work at all, my guess is my pump isnt big enough.

The pump im currently using is a ecoplus submersible pump, its either a 290 or 396 gph pump...either way I believe its too small

My 55 gallon rez sits in the room above my grow room and the hose is ran up and out of my rez and through the floor to my room below... my question is what size pump would you recommend?


Attached picture is what my system looks like

 

[Chewwy]

Here's a few shots of my set up

 

[Chewwy]

I figured it out myself, thanks for all the responses

I ended up going with a magnetic pump, my other pumps were volumetric and just wouldnt build enough pressure...you learn something new every day.

 

[HereIgrowagain]

Would you care to elaborate mate. I am following this as I would also like to know the answer

 

[Chewwy]

Would you care to elaborate mate. I am following this as I would also like to know the answer

I wasnt aware there was different types of pumps, I had volumetric pumps which I guess are good for moving water but dont build pressure. I thought I just needed a bigger pump, turns out I just needed a different type of pump, magnetic

Lights are out in the flower room so I haven't had a chance to try these out yet, I'll know if they work tomorrow...but im pretty confident they'll do the job.

 

[HereIgrowagain]

If you could keep me posted it would be appreciated, also the brand of pump would come in handy, cheers.

 

[queequeg152]

no clue what a volumetric pump is... its not a real class of pump far as i know, unless you are talking about a dosing pump or metering pump?

ill take a stab that you are referring to pumps that generally produce high volumes at lower static pressures... like semi open/fully open face impeller sump pumps.

but a 'magnetic' pump is meerly a pump that uses a magnetic field to transfer power to the impeller.

they are great for small pumps because tiny permanent magnets are stupid cheap... and tiny pumps rarely require any ferrous metallic components other than the motor windings and controller etc.

its just a means to couple the power of the motor to the impeller though, nothing more.

in my experience, pretty much all cheap mag drive pumps perform very poorly with respect to pressure. they usually use some form of totally open impeller of exceptionally simple and cheap design with very poor volutes built with shit loads of tolerance.
they can produce tremendous volume however, provided they do not have much in the way of restrictions.

goulds used to publish this handbook of pumping technologies... its a great general reference for pumps. if find it ill post it here.

 

[queequeg152]

here it is... its not quite what i remembered, in that it does not explain things as extensivly as i thought. nevertheless it does cover the mag drive.

https://us.grundfos.com/content/dam...es & solutions/Industry/pdf/Pump_handbook.pdf

i suggest you read the bit on positive displacement pumps. I use a PD/diaphragm pump in my fertigation system. it works very well owing to being able to develop high pressures in excess of 40psi.

its low flow however, and requires the use of drip emitters rather than open tubing. typically i run the irrigation cycle for like 1-2 minutes, 5-8 times a day depending.

 

[jesbuds]

The fun part about this is that the Ecoplus pumps ARE magnetic. Always remember to prime your pumps, few years ago first time I changed my reservoir, didn't prime the pump and thought it was broke as I couldn't get pressure. Nope, just not primed...which I still occasionally forget to do during reservoir changes (I'll use weed as my scapegoat here).

Nice little article on pumps:
http://www.homehydrosystems.com/art... pump do I need for my hydroponic system.html

Edit: And not at all trying to change your design but I love having valves to be able to control flow within my lines. Easy to 'turn off' watering for a few of the plants and what-not if it isn't needed.

 

[queequeg152]

no clue how large your pump is, but plast-o-matic makes a wonderful air bleeding valve that would aid in priming your pump in the future... might be worth checking out, though it costs like 60 bucks. its nice in that you can also use it to manually prime by just pouring water down the top.