recircilating hydroponic system (UPDATED WITH PICS AND MORE INFO)

[dolmio]

ok thanks alot mate

[dolmio]

Ok Dolmio,

I need a shitload more info, so here go some questions:

What is your medium and pot sizes. You say 2 pots with 40 litre water in them, plus your medium to support the root system that would almost need 100 ltr pots. Now 2 of them thats gonna take up some room.

I have some idea of the lower pump and why you want it, but naturally the plant gets its fluids from above and it drains down to the roots, not the other way round. If you're only after a constant flow of water through the roots then a 200-300 ltr/hr would be ample but again it depends on your set up.

You give me more info and I'll give you more info. OK?

 

Merl1n

 

cheers dude no worries ill do my best.

 

medium is clay balls and im using 65 liter bottom tubes and 45 liter top tubs. i just want a constant water flow but as best as i can get!

 

im thinking atleast a 1000lph pump for constant flow?

 

so in the res i will have about 40 liters of water and in the bottom tubs around 40 in each aswell so thats 160liters. is 40 liters enough in these tubs?

 

if u want to know anything else please ask!

 

cheers Dolmio

Edited January 7, 2011 by dolmio

[dolmio]

is there any benifet feeding my plants from the top after they have rooted into the second bottom tub full of nute/water and air?

also where can i get cheap pots for the medium/plant/water/res?

 

 

cheers dolmio

Edited January 8, 2011 by dolmio

[Guest]

Hey Dolmio, great stuff mate.

 

Will have to suscribe along to this one.

[merl1n]

Hi Dolmio,

I'm now more confused than before

 

So the 45ltr full of clay balls sits in the 65ltr right? and then you want 40 ltr of water constantly flowing through both of the 65ltr? So 65 minus 45 only leaves you 20 ltr. Now lets for arguements sake say you flood the clay balls as well( be warned clay balls float)you would only fit 1 maybe 2 ltrs before they floated out. So thats, at best, 22ltr of fluid and you want 40 ltr That's not possible. I'm not sure how you'll maintain the water level and still have a gravitational flow back to your resi either.

 

Even 1000ltr/hr is 250 ltr in 15min, you'll need a really good return flow not to run your resi dry and kill your pumps. Using a 60 ltr resi with 1000ltr/hr for 15 min, your resi would empty 4 times over. As this is for 'constant flow' the pump would be constant 1000ltr/hr with a 60ltr resi, that's 16 times an hour your resi would empty. One blockage, just one and you're in trouble. And this is just talking your 1000ltr pump and not your feeder as well.

 

Also a flow at that rate could break off delicate roots, as these decay, they can promote root rot. It would depend on how your circulation is setup for 'constant flow'. I still question its need for it, if you're also top feeding, but that's OK.

 

If you have solutions to any of these points let me know. I'm interested.

 

Merl1n

Edited January 8, 2011 by merl1n

[dolmio]

Hi Dolmio,

I'm now more confused than before

 

So the 45ltr full of clay balls sits in the 65ltr right? and then you want 40 ltr of water constantly flowing through both of the 65ltr? So 65 minus 45 only leaves you 20 ltr. Now lets for arguements sake say you flood the clay balls as well( be warned clay balls float)you would only fit 1 maybe 2 ltrs before they floated out. So thats, at best, 22ltr of fluid and you want 40 ltr That's not possible. I'm not sure how you'll maintain the water level and still have a gravitational flow back to your resi either.

 

Even 1000ltr/hr is 250 ltr in 15min, you'll need a really good return flow not to run your resi dry and kill your pumps. Using a 60 ltr resi with 1000ltr/hr for 15 min, your resi would empty 4 times over. As this is for 'constant flow' the pump would be constant 1000ltr/hr with a 60ltr resi, that's 16 times an hour your resi would empty. One blockage, just one and you're in trouble. And this is just talking your 1000ltr pump and not your feeder as well.

 

Also a flow at that rate could break off delicate roots, as these decay, they can promote root rot. It would depend on how your circulation is setup for 'constant flow'. I still question its need for it, if you're also top feeding, but that's OK.

 

If you have solutions to any of these points let me know. I'm interested.

 

Merl1n

 

 

okay mate lets start of here......i have a setup exacly the same as described exept it has 4 main plant pots. i run a 3000lph for the flow and they seem fine? also yes they will be 65liter bottoms and 45 liter tops with clay balls as the medium i find the clayballs are all good using the horse shoe feeding rings becuase they dont flood the top of my medium just soak it just nice.

also im using 13mm tubing for feeders and 25mm for main flow and the main flow stays on 24/7 well thats my plans and thats how i am running a successful crop atm.

[merl1n]

OK, more questions.

Do you recirc or run to waste? if you recirc what height is your resi compared to your return outlet?

Do you use valves to maintain your water level.

I'm still not clear on how you have 40ltr in each base pot, 40 ltr together is OK but each

I don't have any problem with the clayballs I use them also, it was the clayballs with 40ltr of fluid and them floating away.

You say you use a 3000 ltr pump presently so what size is your resi on that system? Now I'm topfeeding using the horseshoe as well but with a lot less fluid flow than you, I'm using the same size fittings as you and have found blockages a problem causing flooding. Just something to be aware of.

 

Merl1n

[Pleb Scrubber]

perhaps a few photos would clear things up?

[dolmio]

OK, more questions.

Do you recirc or run to waste? if you recirc what height is your resi compared to your return outlet?

Do you use valves to maintain your water level.

I'm still not clear on how you have 40ltr in each base pot, 40 ltr together is OK but each

I don't have any problem with the clayballs I use them also, it was the clayballs with 40ltr of fluid and them floating away.

You say you use a 3000 ltr pump presently so what size is your resi on that system? Now I'm topfeeding using the horseshoe as well but with a lot less fluid flow than you, I'm using the same size fittings as you and have found blockages a problem causing flooding. Just something to be aware of.

 

Merl1n

 

 

i use recirculation, all my bottom pots plus my resivor are the same size and the holes are down the bottom in the middle of the pots.( well will be when i set it up. )

 

i have never had flooding issues YET() i dont see it happening ennless a root grows to big and blocks shit up?

[dolmio]

also i do use valves but seems i do not need to use them as i run the same amount of water in each tub and res.