RDWC Circulation Issues...Any Advice?

[OGHomefry]

I'm setting up a DIY RDWC system and having a few issues. The water is not circulating through the pump into the reservoir. The pump is a Uniclife 1000 gph pump, which seems like it should be plenty. I'm wondering if it has to do with the vertical curves I added to get through the opening in the grow tent.
Also, some of the bulkheads seem to be leaking a bit. I've tightened them as much as I can with an adjustable wrench. Not sure what the issue with that is either. Any advice would be great, as my system is sitting filled at the moment. I've attached some photos....

 

[Aqua Man]

I'm setting up a DIY RDWC system and having a few issues. The water is not circulating through the pump into the reservoir. The pump is a Uniclife 1000 gph pump, which seems like it should be plenty. I'm wondering if it has to do with the vertical curves I added to get through the opening in the grow tent.
Also, some of the bulkheads seem to be leaking a bit. I've tightened them as much as I can with an adjustable wrench. Not sure what the issue with that is either. Any advice would be great, as my system is sitting filled at the moment. I've attached some photos....

Do you have flow? Have you tried to prime the pump?

 

[OGHomefry]

Do you have flow? Have you tried to prime the pump?

Nope, no flow. How would I prime the pump?

 

[Aqua Man]

See your intake line from the res to the pump?
Lift it straight up and fill it with water. Then have someone turn the pump on and stick that hose right into the res as soon as it turns on. You should only need to do it once unless it runs dry.

 

[Aqua Man]

If you put a bulkhead low down on the side and plumbed the pump there then you won't have that issue. The other option is a self priming pump but at this stage I would just toss a bulkhead on it and be done.

 

[letsgro]

If you have leaking bulkheads you need to address the seal on the inside of the bucket. You can use a gasket if you have not tried that already.

Like @Aqua Man said, it seems like you went 95% of the way on setting up the buckets with bulkheads but stopped at the res. If you add the bulkhead to the res to mimic the Current Culture system you wouldn't have that issue. Looks good otherwise!

 

[SavageBuds420]

Try elevating the pump higher than the bucket. Hang it or stack it on something. Make sure to tighten all the connections because you could be losing pressure due to joint leakage.

 

[OGHomefry]

See your intake line from the res to the pump?
Lift it straight up and fill it with water. Then have someone turn the pump on and stick that hose right into the res as soon as it turns on. You should only need to do it once unless it runs dry.

 

[OGHomefry]

I got it to prime. It is a lot of power. I need to mess with the valve to see if I can find an equilibrium. I’m considering rebuilding without the vertical curve but really don’t want to. But as is I need to fill up in a bucket and res which isn’t ideal.

I’m not sure what you mean with adding another bulkhead to the res.

The bulkhead nuts are really tight. The rubber gasket is on the outside. Is that correct? Seems crazy there’s any leakage.

 

[Aqua Man]

I got it to prime. It is a lot of power. I need to mess with the valve to see if I can find an equilibrium. I’m considering rebuilding without the vertical curve but really don’t want to. But as is I need to fill up in a bucket and res which isn’t ideal.

I’m not sure what you mean with adding another bulkhead to the res.

The bulkhead nuts are really tight. The rubber gasket is on the outside. Is that correct? Seems crazy there’s any leakage.

Gasket inside