Any reason NOT to use 3/4" PVC in a small aero cloner?

I understand that most people use 1/2" PVC for their small cloner setups. Any good reason not to go with 3/4" PVC? I just happen to have a bunch of fittings, and about 8' of pipe, left over from a reef aquarium plumbing project.

Thoughts...concerns?

hmmm im no expert or anythings but i would think it would stress the pump out a lil bit extra. thats alotta area to fill with water but hey it may not. i say go for it an tell us what happens

Oh, I should have mentioned that the only pump I have right now is a 550gph...which I plan to transfer to my veg closet aero setup later on once I build that unit. So, I do plan on using a smaller pump in the cloner box eventually when I move the 550gph pump over. Would I be good with a 300-350gph pump and 3/4" PVC in a cloner? Or should I just go buy 1/2" PVC for the cloner now and save the 3/4" for the larger veg aero box setup? Hmmm.

My cloner setup is going to be about 24"x18" and my veg aero setup will probably be 24" wide by 3-4 feet long.

You're pump will have to hold up more water than if you used 1/2", the pressure will be less. The diferance would be small though, I'd go with whatever is cheapest.

It is not the volume of water that matters to the pump, it is the static head. (head height). Static head is the difference in height between the highest point of in the pipe and the pumps discharge height. The pump in that respect could care less about pipes diameter. Larger pipe provides lees friction losses so a greater voloume can be pumped by the same pump than with the smaller diameter pipe. However the pressure in the pipe will be less unless there is restriction in the pipes outlet. If you are using spray heads they provide restriction so your pressure will increase in the pipe regardless of the diameter of the pipe to an extent. With extremely large pipe diameter the pressure would remain lows as the pump would be pumping max volume rather than pressure. Typically it is better for economy/efficiency to increase your discharge delivery (riser) pipe to at least one size larger than the pumps discharge size then decrease at the outlet to the pumps discharge size to restore the original pressure value.

ie If you are using misters the larger pipe will be more efficient and lower wattage used by the pump.

The argument (theory) is based upon the equation: Q=VxA, which means, Flow = Velocity x Area This means, Flow/Area = Velocity, so if you increase the Area (diameter ) of the pipe you increase the Velocity but decrease the Flow. And in the opposite respect if you decrease the Area (diameter) of the pipe you decrease the Velocity and increase the Flow. Tie this in with the increase in Flow due to lowered friction and you can see why the efficiency increases with increased pipe size. You get the water delivered at a larger Volume cheaper and easier and then you just adjust the pipe size downward and get your pressure back up to where it started. A liitle more material cost but definitely a savings in wattage used.