RDWC Pump Size GPM Question

Gregger1

New Member
I am building a 10-site RDWC system modeled after a current culture system (13gal square buckets). I am making a few changes and need some advice. I want to top feed the system (I don't mean at the plant, I mean achieve the waterfall effect / turbulence with 90 deg. elbows grommet-ed into the bucket near the top) I want to try to use 3/4" supply lines, and use two 792 GPM pumps to feed the supply (hooked parallel style into the supply circuit, each pump having its own interface to the control with a 1" hose) Will that be too much delivery with 3" returns ? (I already have the pumps and 3/4" lines/fittings.)

I will be using 3" returns but will not be using the single bottleneck return to the control bucket like the factory does it - and instead - bring 2 return lines into the control (10 buckets = two lines of 5 buckets with each line of 5 having its own return port into the control)

Each plant has a dedicated 400W HPS (air cooled). Other details: 8" netpots, 25 gallon make up reservoir, air stone in each bucket.

Each plant will be grown scrog style with a 2.5" x 3" footprint per plant/light.

20 yrs ebb and flow hydro growing experience, 1st post!
 

cat of curiosity

Well-Known Member
I am building a 10-site RDWC system modeled after a current culture system (13gal square buckets). I am making a few changes and need some advice. I want to top feed the system (I don't mean at the plant, I mean achieve the waterfall effect / turbulence with 90 deg. elbows grommet-ed into the bucket near the top) I want to try to use 3/4" supply lines, and use two 792 GPM pumps to feed the supply (hooked parallel style into the supply circuit, each pump having its own interface to the control with a 1" hose) Will that be too much delivery with 3" returns ? (I already have the pumps and 3/4" lines/fittings.)
nope, it will work fine. running nearly identical setup but two 1200gph with 2" with no probs. i prefer 3", but used what i had. if i were you, i'd run a parallel manifold a few inches below your ports, 1" supply, 3/4" waterfalls. t vertically and 90° into your buckets then gravity ensures equal pressure to every waterfall simultaneously.
 

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
My system is built around 1" return lines and bulkhead fittings, 4 to a tubsite.

My topfeed supply manifold is another 1" line with tee fittings to supply 1/2" lines to each site. At the tub, there's a 90 degree elbow fitting that fits through a hole in the lid.

Up to a dozen sites can easily be handled by just one 633gph pump.
 

Gregger1

New Member
nope, it will work fine. running nearly identical setup but two 1200gph with 2" with no probs. i prefer 3", but used what i had. if i were you, i'd run a parallel manifold a few inches below your ports, 1" supply, 3/4" waterfalls. t vertically and 90° into your buckets then gravity ensures equal pressure to every waterfall simultaneously.
Thanks very much for that reply Cat. I feel better about the direction I am going in now, and the manifold idea is golden - I will be doing exactly that. I was playing with manifold ideas using one of these - they come in all sorts of configurations but I have come to realize probably not the best thing......s-l1600 (14).jpg
 
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ttystikk

Well-Known Member
Thanks very much for that reply Cat. I feel better about the direction I am going in now, and the manifold idea is golden - I will be doing exactly that. I was playing with manifold ideas using one of these - they come in all sorts of configurations but I have come to realize probably not the best thing......View attachment 4030129
Why not?

Mine is made of irrigation system parts but it works great.
 
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