Designing A Recirculating Deep Water Hydroponic System

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Ogmofojones

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Fellow farmers -

I bought 6 standalone deep water culture stand alone solos. I used pvc piping to connect all of them and an using pumps to circulate the water.

Last time I had issues as I ran two pumps - one pushing water out of the reservoir and one pulling water in the 3rd 8 gallon solo.

I'm not an engineer (wish I was) but I it seems i was certain an unintentional differential. So I'm trying to figure out how to get this right.

Flow of the system is reservoir to pvc pipe to 3 of the solos (aligned in two rows of 3). Then the second row is "down stream" as my garage is angled for drainage.

The system self corrects but I would prefer if I had a matched circulation.

My design questions I would love your input on :

How many pumps to use

What power pumps

Where to place the pumps in the system

Any suggestions on what differentials are needed to keep the system flowing
 
cemchris

cemchris

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All of your Buckets need to be the same height, level, and size or you are going to have a bad time. Different water levels in the buckets. 1 pump. Sizing is "big enuff". Best suggestion is look at all the RDWC or Under Current guys. Lots of info in all of those. Pump location is usually at the end of the run between the last bucket(s) and the rez or between the rez and the first bucket(s). Having a non uniform system can fuck with the flow.
 
Nugg

Nugg

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One pump is all that's needed..I use a 350 gph,but have a valve in front of pump to restrict flow speed.i have my pump next to res..I'll get some pics and send ..it may help..
 
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Ogmofojones

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All of your Buckets need to be the same height, level, and size or you are going to have a bad time. Different water levels in the buckets. 1 pump. Sizing is "big enuff". Best suggestion is look at all the RDWC or Under Current guys. Lots of info in all of those. Pump location is usually at the end of the run between the last bucket(s) and the rez or between the rez and the first bucket(s). Having a non uniform system can fuck with the flow.

Totally - I have all 8 gallon current culture solo units. I should have bought the system but I didn't want to blow the money.

Very helpful on pump location. What do you think of having one on each side - like one in the first and one on the last? Or one on the first and one halfway through?
 
Nugg

Nugg

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This is what I have on all 3 systems..can't undercurrent pump in res.oh..my pumps are actually in the wrong location...all pmps need to be as close to water source as possible...it's works but..it's not correct...
 
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Dirtbag

Dirtbag

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It may not be a big deal for these small cheap pumps, but for what it's worth you should always place valves on the outflow side of a pump, restricting the inflow to the pump isnt good for it.
 
Nugg

Nugg

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It may not be a big deal for these small cheap pumps, but for what it's worth you should always place valves on the outflow side of a pump, restricting the inflow to the pump isnt good for it.
These little pumps don't like restriction.. makes the oring leak...there junk built but run good.lol..but you are 100% correct.
 
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Dirtbag

Dirtbag

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These little pumps don't like restriction.. makes the oring leak...there junk built but run good.lol..but you are 100% correct.

Ahh, that makes sense. I've only ever used those eco pumps submerged in the res. I'd never notice if it was leaking or not lol.
 
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Ogmofojones

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This is what I have on all 3 systems..can't undercurrent pump in res.oh..my pumps are actually in the wrong location...all pmps need to be as close to water source as possible...it's works but..it's not correct...

Funny that's exactly what I've been using too and I agree fully. I think I literally need an inline pump connected to the pvc piping. Or maybe just not have a balanced flow and use timers to offset?

Thanks so much for the response.
 
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Ogmofojones

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It may not be a big deal for these small cheap pumps, but for what it's worth you should always place valves on the outflow side of a pump, restricting the inflow to the pump isnt good for it.

Dirtbag, much appreciated. I think that's probably one error I may have made. Ecoplus has both side and bottom draw pumps, so basically i used one of the side pull pumps but had outflow to a valve. Good info.
 
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