"noWon"
"But my main concern is roots clogging the pipes.
When you say "his overall length was very long" are you referring to veg time or the total grow time?"
Those plants were on 50" centers in 8 gallons, with 2" pvc in runs of 8X length (30feet) in total. The plant size (longer vegged plants) relative to container/conduit, plus length of run combined to necessitate an over flo which Jack said was recommended by CC. Seems he realized he needed a larger container than an 8 but they weren't yet available...so he rocked 1-2 lbers out of 8's, what a pimp
"Also you state his plants were huge, to me that is the purpose of the system is to grow huge. I believe that is why the xl13 was born with 3" pipes?"
No overflo was needed when Jack grew in 13's, hence the improvement.
"But I believe that system is flawed as well."
Running the system before assessing it flawed might be a good place to start
"Jack had the right idea with the gravity feed but IMHO the 3" feed tubes should be on the top of the buckets rather than the bottom or both."
No offense, but that statement really under scores how unfamiliar you are with the system design, which is ok. Just get your hands on one and go from there.
"This would give the roots just a little while longer to figure out the water flow. And if both top and bottom feeds were used, a much longer grow time could be achieved IMO."
Check out MPB's, as they incorporate more of a drain back style which might work better for you.
"Also slowing down the speed of water flow might help."
Slowing the flow is a standard technique for maintaining system flow once roots get unruley.
"What do you think? Your experience is important to me. Also, sorry to have come across as a newbie before but sometimes it is better to play dumb."
Newbie u may not be, but unfamiliar with the dynamics of the UC u certainly r. The only way to learn more about the in's and out's of the system is to run one and go from there.
"Finally, I wanted to know if you have tried running the system with faucet water or is it always ro water? I prefer ro water as well but my city water eats ro units for breakfast as the water is so bad. Just really wanna know if success has been had with faucet water or no one has gone there?"
If your water is shit then it's either RO or avoid water culture.....no 2 ways about it. Start with a water test and go from there. As for whether to get the system, I would hold off until your confident you can make it work for you, hope my input helps :bow