Building RDWC system, any help appriciated

Hey everyone I know this topic is similar to others but im trying to design a 9 plant RDWC system and had a few questions. Will this design work? The red lines are return and green are fill.
Other info:
2 in pvc pipe
5 gallon buckets
each one will have air stone
5x5 grow tent area
27 reservoir outside tent
My main questions are:
How big of a pump should I get?
Do I need a separate pump for the return line or does it circulate back naturally?
I have 2in pipe for the fill line currently but do I need that or just 2in for the return?


Ive been looking at info on the internet so any help would be amazing

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Looks solid to me. From my knowledge 1 pump will be good. As strong as you can get.

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Great, thank you. Am I correct to assume that if I get a pump rated for 2700 gph, each pot will receive about 900 gph? Is this overkill or right, Ive seen a lot of different suggestions about this?

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9 plants won’t fit in a 5 X 5. Maybe 4.

Go with totes instead of buckets.

Use a large rez outside the tent (the R in RDWC).

Check rez in the tent.

Get a chiller.

400 gph or larger pump, prefer submersible.

Look into using Jack’s nutes.

4" net pot is plenty.

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This is very helpful, thank you. Currently Im growing in soil have have 9 plants. Ik im not doing it perfectly, but it seems like they fit decently and don’t compete too much for light. Does hydroponics make bigger plants, even If i continue to do about 4 weeks in veg then flip to flower?

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I’ve only grown in hydro, I use the air cube ebb and flow.
Maybe @Dman1969 can advise on this as I think he used to be soil and switched to hydro

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Most Definitely in most cases. And I’m with @Myfriendis410 you will fill a 5x5 with 4 plants. :v::love_you_gesture:
Unless you do a SOG

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I’m struggling trying to get 9 plants in my 8’x8’ bloom room and still have room to care for them properly

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Kind of the whole point lol. Done right it beats all other methods.

FYI photoperiod plants won’t respond to a light change until sexually mature.

Figure 150 to 200 watts of quality LED’s per plant.

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Im doing 12 in an 8x8 and thr forest is real lol any maintenance is a pain in flower

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Hey got another one for y’all @Retiredoldguy @SolomanGrundy been great help to me thought might be help to them if not too much on y’all’s plate already

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Hey you forgot me lol

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@Mmanson1981 maybe he didn’t like your advise and doesn’t want to be rude and tell you??

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That’s definitely not the case, was stoned an slipped my mind bro sry @Mmanson1981

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Lol its all good

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Bro did we both venture into Hydro at the same time? Feels like it. But honestly I love it. So much easier on maintenance so far

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Yea just about

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