Water Pump and Timed Feeds Issue

[watts]

First time using automated watering.

Got an Ecoplus 185gph submersible pump inside a 5 gallon bucket. It pumps water through 1/2" poly tubing and then through 1/4" vinyl tubing to each plant. No drippers.

The first couple of times I used the pump, it took 7 minutes to pump 1.5 gallons of water. Then it took a few minutes longer each day to pump the same amount of water. It was taking up to 20 minutes. After 10 days, I emptied the bucket and rinsed it out. I added the same amount of water and it only took 7 minutes to water, the same time as the first day I used the pump.

My question is, how does it go from 7 minutes to 20 minutes then back to 7 minutes to feed the same amount of water? I'm trying to figure this out so I will know how long to set my timers to pump the water. I use basic GH flora series nutrients and sm-90. That's all.

 

[stoneybud2]

Is the issue just repeating itself over n over or just that one time??
SB2

 

[watts]

Well i have only used the pump less than 2 weeks but the first week and half it went from 7 minutes to 20 minutes to pump 1.5 gallons to the plants. I emptied the reservoir today and filled it with nutrient water and it only took 7 minutes. I didn't clean or do anything to the pump. I have no clue why the times are inconsistent. There are no kinks or anything in the supply lines.

 

[watts]

Fixed the issue. When the pump sucked out all the water it could in the reservoir, it musta got filled with air or something. When i take the pump out and turn it upside down to get the leftover water out in it, then stick it back in the reservoir and fill with nutrient water, it works normal.