Snype's RDWC Construction Tutorial For 250 Watts - 7,600 Watts!

[Smplfrmr]

Opinion

Opinion

My equations work for these specific systems. You are welcome to come up with other equations for your systems. That amount of friction to me is not a big deal in my systems. If the pump is to big, the system doesn't run right with 1.5" pipes. For bigger pumps you need bigger pipes. For 5 Gallon buckets the biggest pipes that I'd personally use is 1.5". There are other members experimenting with 2" pipes in the 5 Gallon but I like 1.5". The amount of air from your air pumps is more important than the amount of circulation from any water pump, IMO.

I have a thread on here that has my rdwc grow... I used 18 gallon totes and 2 inch pvc. What I want your opinions on are 1. I use a 550gph pump, so do you think I should upgrade n if so how big should I go. And #2. I am concerned the roots may overwhelm and clog the pipes, they have filled a almost half the tote already. Any suggestions if I get clogged up.

 

[Snype]

I have a thread on here that has my rdwc grow... I used 18 gallon totes and 2 inch pvc. What I want your opinions on are 1. I use a 550gph pump, so do you think I should upgrade n if so how big should I go. And #2. I am concerned the roots may overwhelm and clog the pipes, they have filled a almost half the tote already. Any suggestions if I get clogged up.

How many totes are contained into each system? Is there also a controller tote of the same size? How many gallons of solution are in each container or in the whole system?

 

[Smplfrmr]

My system is...

My system is...

How many totes are contained into each system? Is there also a controller tote of the same size? How many gallons of solution are in each container or in the whole system?

One system so far with 8-18 gallon totes with 10" net pots for growing, on one end an 18 gal I use a submersible pump to return to the other end which is a 37 gallon control tote. This modification was done so I could use a submersible pump. When filled with water it holds 100 gallons. So nine gallons per grow tote.

 

[Smplfrmr]

Roots

Roots

Previously mentioned large roots

 

[Snype]

One system so far with 8-18 gallon totes with 10" net pots for growing, on one end an 18 gal I use a submersible pump to return to the other end which is a 37 gallon control tote. This modification was done so I could use a submersible pump. When filled with water it holds 100 gallons. So nine gallons per grow tote.

So if I'm reading your statement right you are using 100 Gallons of solution per system. If that's correct. The smallest pump that I'd be using is a Danner Model 9.5 Pump which is rated for 950 GPH. For this type of system I'd like the system to recirculate not more than every 7.5 minutes which would equal a max pump size of 1500 GPH but I don't know if you're pipes are too small to handle that. That's why i'd suggest using the Danner 9.5. The pump that you are using is the pump size that I use for my 10 bucket system that holds 30 Gallons of solution with 1.5" pipes.

 

[Smplfrmr]

Thanks

Thanks

So if I'm reading your statement right you are using 100 Gallons of solution per system. If that's correct. The smallest pump that I'd be using is a Danner Model 9.5 Pump which is rated for 950 GPH. For this type of system I'd like the system to recirculate not more than every 7.5 minutes which would equal a max pump size of 1500 GPH but I don't know if you're pipes are too small to handle that. That's why i'd suggest using the Danner 9.5. The pump that you are using is the pump size that I use for my 10 bucket system that holds 30 Gallons of solution with 1.5" pipes.

I appreciate the advice thank you. The root size must not pose a problem as you didn't address it. I'll keep reading your threads thanks for the knowledge.

 

[Snype]

I appreciate the advice thank you. The root size must not pose a problem as you didn't address it. I'll keep reading your threads thanks for the knowledge.

Well you have some nice big roots. I'm not sure if it will cause you a problem. You will be the first to know. If roots get in the way, I pull them out of the pipes or prune them.

 

[Smplfrmr]

Awsome

Awsome

Well you have some nice big roots. I'm not sure if it will cause you a problem. You will be the first to know. If roots get in the way, I pull them out of the pipes or prune them.

Never pruned roots before. That would be new. Fingers crossed

 

[DrFever]

Never pruned roots before. That would be new. Fingers crossed

i have been reading lots as i am in process of building 2 under current system like this one 8 - 13 gallon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cLeJPl3Ml0

i am coming to the conclusion that having submersible pumps is not the way to go as well as having just one pump for your set up is not as efficient as having 2 pumps for instance i would think having two 500 GPH pumps would be 20 - 30 percent more efficient this way it also allows you to be able to service a pump and still have a pump running.
Why i am choosing more towards inline vs submersible is is i can run filters and be able to clean pump easily
here is a pic of submersible pump run 4 weeks look at all the dead matter this in turn not only causes over heating rez temp increase , but also massive PH swings and a whole bunch of other issues
Allow me to stress or emphasize this; a submersible water pump can harbor dead debris, dead roots, and possibly mushy yukey slimey stuff that really jacks up the pH. After two weeks of use, you should give your water the sniff test to determine if the water pump is possibly spoiling the water. It should smell like fresh cut iceberg lettuce or alfalfa sprouts, and not have a bad odor. Most all water pumps have a filter in them that needs cleaning after three weeks, or get the pump out of there after 3 or 4 weeks or when the roots are well established in the deep water. A nasty filter is why you notice the need to increase the use of the pH Down after 3 or 4 weeks.

After the first two weeks, and then daily, your pH will normally climb from 6.0 to 7.0 in about 18 to 24 hours because the plants are eating the nutrients and the water level is going down, and becomes more acidic. If the water jumps to a pH of 7.5 to 8.0 in a day, you have a problem, and 99% of the time it is dead debris, dead roots or dead leaves in the tank or trapped in the water pump. Remove and clean the filter in the water pump after two or three weeks, or after the roots are established in the deep water, or get that water pump out. Then the pH will be more stable.

 

[Smplfrmr]

So far I haven't had any of the problems your concerned with Dr. But I'll try and document anything that happens in my journal...

 

[Snype]

i have been reading lots as i am in process of building 2 under current system like this one 8 - 13 gallon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cLeJPl3Ml0

i am coming to the conclusion that having submersible pumps is not the way to go as well as having just one pump for your set up is not as efficient as having 2 pumps for instance i would think having two 500 GPH pumps would be 20 - 30 percent more efficient this way it also allows you to be able to service a pump and still have a pump running.
Why i am choosing more towards inline vs submersible is is i can run filters and be able to clean pump easily
here is a pic of submersible pump run 4 weeks look at all the dead matter this in turn not only causes over heating rez temp increase , but also massive PH swings and a whole bunch of other issues
Allow me to stress or emphasize this; a submersible water pump can harbor dead debris, dead roots, and possibly mushy yukey slimey stuff that really jacks up the pH. After two weeks of use, you should give your water the sniff test to determine if the water pump is possibly spoiling the water. It should smell like fresh cut iceberg lettuce or alfalfa sprouts, and not have a bad odor. Most all water pumps have a filter in them that needs cleaning after three weeks, or get the pump out of there after 3 or 4 weeks or when the roots are well established in the deep water. A nasty filter is why you notice the need to increase the use of the pH Down after 3 or 4 weeks.

After the first two weeks, and then daily, your pH will normally climb from 6.0 to 7.0 in about 18 to 24 hours because the plants are eating the nutrients and the water level is going down, and becomes more acidic. If the water jumps to a pH of 7.5 to 8.0 in a day, you have a problem, and 99% of the time it is dead debris, dead roots or dead leaves in the tank or trapped in the water pump. Remove and clean the filter in the water pump after two or three weeks, or after the roots are established in the deep water, or get that water pump out. Then the pH will be more stable.

When you use the y-Filter, the gunk goes into the filter and not the pump. I never get all the gunk that you get. Maybe you have some other problems going on. I never have pH spiked like what you are saying. I also own a few undercurrents and they are complete garbage. They don't even supply enough air with their air pumps. I'd be more worried about the size of their air pump than the water pump.

 

[Smplfrmr]

Opinion

Opinion

What do you think about these micro bubble generators like the oxydoser pureair? Looks like a bad ass way to air aeration.
If you haven't checked it out here's a demo.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PD9L1pwl4rw

 

[Snype]

What do you think about these micro bubble generators like the oxydoser pureair? Looks like a bad ass way to air aeration.
If you haven't checked it out here's a demo.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PD9L1pwl4rw

Looks pretty cool! I'd have to to testing with it and a D.O. meter to be able to give an opinion. Looks interesting though. Thanks for showing that.

 

[Smplfrmr]

Glad to share

Glad to share

I'm always reading about new toys. I am going to try and get on to test when I can but if you beat me to it it's a win win lol.

 

[DAVES NOT HERE]

followed this thread and your other RDWC threads closely. I have pieced together everything needed to run a system. Thank you for putting this out there for everyone. i am really into organic soil for the moment, but will break this stuff out at some point. Noticed that dr fever asked if you accounted for head, bends, etc. Along that lines, I spoke with the owner of Alita Pumps and he brought up a lot of similiar aspects to loss of air volume in a system depending of many variables. I would estimate that the Alita-60 is not putting out a total of 60L when taking into account the restrictions from tubing and airstones. Not trying to nit pick, mad respect. I realize that what ever air is being produced with your setup is more than effective. He also indicated that there is only so much air that water will absorb. Would be interested when you break out the DO meter again to see what the readings are like.

 

[kingaaron189]

great thread, maybe i missed it, but what kind of timer do you use for the water pumps?

 

[Snype]

great thread, maybe i missed it, but what kind of timer do you use for the water pumps?

There are no timers for the water pump or the air pump. It is RDWC. The plants sit in solution at all times.

 

[kingaaron189]

sorry i should have been more clear. you said you like to recirculate every five minutes, i was just wondering where i would get a timer that turns the pump on every 5 minutes.

 

[kingaaron189]

never mind, im dumb, it stays on 24 hours right?

 

[Snype]

never mind, im dumb, it stays on 24 hours right?

It's all about the size of the pump to get your circulation rates. I've listed all the pumps that you will need depending on the size of the system that you are building. The pump stays on all the time. You never turn it off unless you are emptying the system.