RDWC Plumbing Best Setup

Hey guys I am in the process of building my first RDWC setup.

As it sits it will consist of 4x 7.5 gallon totes. 1 reservoir and 3 plant sites.

I am using 2 inch pvc and bulkheads to connect everything, no waterfall at this time, just a air pump and stones.

My question is related to the PVC layout. I plan on having the 2 inch pvc connecting all 4. Attached is a picture of my current planned layout. In my mind the simplest thing to do is attach the pump to the left port on the reservoir and the right port will be the water return.

Or do I take it a step further and add a return from the middle plant tote back to the reservoir and actually pump from both the left and right of the reservoir? Is that overkill, or is there a lot of benefit to that design?

Appreciate the input!

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If you want to keep that layout I guess this would be a simple setup.

Red is return, blue is pump to waterfall

I offset the lines so you could see but the blue would be over the red return line. You could have it waterfall from the lids and the return at the lowest point of the plant tubs. I’d flip the lids so the basket is closest to the outside and then waterfall hole on the inside side

Edit:

or like this




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I think I am going to go with this design and the blue line will simply be my return drain and I will pump from both sides of the reservoir.

Heading to the store for a few more parts and then its time!

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If you do this setup recommend 2 drains from the return tote. In the event of root plugging the flow has 2 routes but the roots can not move upstream as easy as downstream making the single point drain being a single point failure without backup.

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Appreciate the input. Do you think another drain, or connecting the other totes to the drain is overkill when I am running 2 inch piping in all areas and I will also be running 5 gallon paint strainers to keep the plant roots contained and hopefully away from any of the intakes/drains.

I have never built one but have all the stuff here. Research I did shows a lot of growers have root clog issues and for my own anxiety I can not stand single point failure systems.

The listed filtration system is not something I am familiar with. Any filter in a hydro system should have a bypass for clogging.

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Yes this one runs a risk of drainage issues if you let the roots grow into the 2" PVC like crazy. You can take a paint bucket strainer/filter bag and put it over the pipes inside the totes to keep them from growing into it. It would have to block both of the red lines in the totes to “overflow”. If there isn’t a ton of flow then the roots will be less likely to be drawn into the pipes to cause issue.

You can also put the roots themselves into the paint strainer bag and seat it by pulling some excess out and around the basket itself. That will give you 5gals of root space and prevent most roots from getting near the red lines holes.

If using two pumps you run the risk of one going out and adding more heat to the water if not using a chiller.

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I would also plan on installing a couple of drain cocks in the event you need access.

I’m assuming you are planning on a chiller? That’s a big thermal load.

I see a lot of folks using large net pots: you don’t need anything larger than a 4" just FYI.

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I add a over flow line from each bucket. I add it about 3 inches below basket in the event of clog the water will not over flow, and the roots wont clog that one. I have cleaned my flooded tents.

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I like the 4 inch wide lip sits nice and can add weight on the side to stop tipping in flower.

Great input, I plan on using 5 gallon strainers to help with the roots not effecting drainage.

As it sits only using 1 pump.

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Yea I already got the 6 inch net pots for cheap. I guess will see how they go.

As of right now I don’t plan on using a chiller, its winter here in CNY and the setup is in my basement. I suspect I won’t need to address water temps until I get closer to summer time. I also plan on running hydro guard.

Water flow seems to be solid, I had 2 very small leaks to address and hoping to re-test today and then let it run for a b it.

I also plan on putting the pump on a smart outlet and I will be implementing this system in the tent. I will be able to shutoff the pump via Home Assistant from anywhere.

I would think you would never need a chiller…the basement floor should keep your containers cool enough…

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That’s my hope, we have central air, so even in the summer time that specific room stays pretty close to 70. The tent itself is exhausted out a window.

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I have never used a chiller it is upstairs. The water stays about the same year round - 10 outside now. Will hit 90 to 100 in sumer. I do run a additional heat AC unit in the lung room with 3, 4x4 tents.

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I have used 6 inch just needs more pebbles. I use use a short loop timer on my water pump. Inexpensive and has worked for several years. I spend money on lights and air circulation.

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