How would YOU set this (kinda) RDWC up?

[fragileassassin]

I went about bought most of my fittings yesterday. They didnt have enough of the adapters I used for my DIY bulkheads, so I had to go to a different store today.
Got all the holes drilled and all of the fittings put into the boxes. I was pretty generous with the aquarium sealant so letting them cure for a while because that shit stinks! I used around 3/4 of a 10oz caulking tube of the stuff.

I used these ABS trap adapters as bulkheads. At the big chain stores theyre pretty damn cheap... cheaper than uniseals from what ive seen. This picture is about the most you can screw the nut on because it has a built in crush washer thing to help it seal on the end of the fitting, so I cut all the threaded parts in half with my miter saw. It only took me like 10-15 mins to cut all 26. This allowed them to tighten all the way down to the flat edge meaning they would get tight on the box. I cut my holes slightly smaller and they worked out perfect. I gave both sides a good bit of silicone then had to force the threads through the hole and twist. They actually threaded into the boxes like this. From there I just tightened the nut on to the inside and smoothed out any oozing silicone.

I'd be wary of a high output pump. I starve my control bucket with a 1000gph. I have a ball valve on the output side of my pump to throttle it back.

I also have 3 outlets per tote that run back to control 3 separate lines.

How big is your control bucket and what size return lines do you have?
Mine is a 55 gallon HDX tote with 2 2" returns.

 

[Airwalker16]

I'd be wary of a high output pump. I starve my control bucket with a 1000gph. I have a ball valve on the output side of my pump to throttle it back.

I also have 3 outlets per tote that run back to control 3 separate lines.

2 inch returns remedy that problem. That's precisely why I upgraded actually.res drained faster than the returns could fill it back up with 1".

 

[Airwalker16]

I went about bought most of my fittings yesterday. They didnt have enough of the adapters I used for my DIY bulkheads, so I had to go to a different store today.
Got all the holes drilled and all of the fittings put into the boxes. I was pretty generous with the aquarium sealant so letting them cure for a while because that shit stinks! I used around 3/4 of a 10oz caulking tube of the stuff.

I used these ABS trap adapters as bulkheads. At the big chain stores theyre pretty damn cheap... cheaper than uniseals from what ive seen. This picture is about the most you can screw the nut on because it has a built in crush washer thing to help it seal on the end of the fitting, so I cut all the threaded parts in half with my miter saw. It only took me like 10-15 mins to cut all 26. This allowed them to tighten all the way down to the flat edge meaning they would get tight on the box. I cut my holes slightly smaller and they worked out perfect. I gave both sides a good bit of silicone then had to force the threads through the hole and twist. They actually threaded into the boxes like this. From there I just tightened the nut on to the inside and smoothed out any oozing silicone.

How big is your control bucket and what size return lines do you have?
Mine is a 55 gallon HDX tote with 2 2" returns.

Www.alliedaqua.com has uniseals dirt cheap. I feel bad now I didn't tell you sooner.

 

[fragileassassin]

Www.alliedaqua.com has uniseals dirt cheap. I feel bad now I didn't tell you sooner.

these fittings were about the same price as there and local, i feel better with actual compression of the nut on it. It only took me about an hour to do all of them. With cutting holes, cutting threads, smoke break after power tools, and threading them all in it only took maybe 2 total. Im pleased with the result. Going to go cut all the pipe soon.

 

[Airwalker16]

these fittings were about the same price as there and local, i feel better with actual compression of the nut on it. It only took me about an hour to do all of them. With cutting holes, cutting threads, smoke break after power tools, and threading them all in it only took maybe 2 total. Im pleased with the result. Going to go cut all the pipe soon.

Okay. Right on. There's hella compression with uniseals though BTW. That pipe isn't easy to get through, and when it does go in, it is COMPRESSED.

 

[Airwalker16]

I went about bought most of my fittings yesterday. They didnt have enough of the adapters I used for my DIY bulkheads, so I had to go to a different store today.
Got all the holes drilled and all of the fittings put into the boxes. I was pretty generous with the aquarium sealant so letting them cure for a while because that shit stinks! I used around 3/4 of a 10oz caulking tube of the stuff.

I used these ABS trap adapters as bulkheads. At the big chain stores theyre pretty damn cheap... cheaper than uniseals from what ive seen. This picture is about the most you can screw the nut on because it has a built in crush washer thing to help it seal on the end of the fitting, so I cut all the threaded parts in half with my miter saw. It only took me like 10-15 mins to cut all 26. This allowed them to tighten all the way down to the flat edge meaning they would get tight on the box. I cut my holes slightly smaller and they worked out perfect. I gave both sides a good bit of silicone then had to force the threads through the hole and twist. They actually threaded into the boxes like this. From there I just tightened the nut on to the inside and smoothed out any oozing silicone.

How big is your control bucket and what size return lines do you have?
Mine is a 55 gallon HDX tote with 2 2" returns.

Those are pretty cool though man and very very smart to utilize as bulkheads. Allied aqua sells bulkheads too for quite cheap if you do ever need them.

 

[fragileassassin]

TBH I love the DIY aspect! Thats half the fun of this imo figuring out how to make something work in a way that it wasnt meant to. I know I could have started a grow a lot cheaper than what I have, but I was drawn to hydro because I figured it would be fun figuring everything out and building a system piece by piece. I've had a blast with everything i've learned and being able to apply it. Hopefully they hold up like I think they will, seems like they have a pretty good seal.
Im retired now so this is just as much something to keep me occupied as it is about growing my own meds.

Got the dry fit done!!! everything is equal length and fits nice.
I was off on the pipe by about a foot and a half..... I just need two pieces about 6-8" long to run out to my outside res and im good.

 

[Airwalker16]

I'm so jealous of your 8'X8' tent. I'd have so much fun in that thing.

 

[fragileassassin]

I'm so jealous of your 8'X8' tent. I'd have so much fun in that thing.

10x10x7
=)

I could fit 2 more in my space if i tried hard. One of the big selling points on the house for me.

 

[firsttimeARE]

I went about bought most of my fittings yesterday. They didnt have enough of the adapters I used for my DIY bulkheads, so I had to go to a different store today.
Got all the holes drilled and all of the fittings put into the boxes. I was pretty generous with the aquarium sealant so letting them cure for a while because that shit stinks! I used around 3/4 of a 10oz caulking tube of the stuff.

I used these ABS trap adapters as bulkheads. At the big chain stores theyre pretty damn cheap... cheaper than uniseals from what ive seen. This picture is about the most you can screw the nut on because it has a built in crush washer thing to help it seal on the end of the fitting, so I cut all the threaded parts in half with my miter saw. It only took me like 10-15 mins to cut all 26. This allowed them to tighten all the way down to the flat edge meaning they would get tight on the box. I cut my holes slightly smaller and they worked out perfect. I gave both sides a good bit of silicone then had to force the threads through the hole and twist. They actually threaded into the boxes like this. From there I just tightened the nut on to the inside and smoothed out any oozing silicone.

How big is your control bucket and what size return lines do you have?
Mine is a 55 gallon HDX tote with 2 2" returns.

1" with 27gal totes. I don't mind it. 1" bulkheads were less than $1.5 per

 

[5BY5LEC]

Careful about skimping on those bulkheads. Not that I am saying that Uni-Seals or making your own from trap parts are/is bad. It just sucks having to put it back together over a few dollars. Been there. Here's mine for some inspiration.
1" PVC returns with a union so I can take it apart.
3/4 Suction Line hooked in at the furthest point, returning to the control bucket outside the tent. That way I can sit in my chair and mess with the res hahaha.
I have a DIG filter I got from HD by the way, you asked about filters. It was 9 Bucks. Its right before the pump.

I originally did uni-seals. One of those fuckers split on me while I was testing and began to leak. It was at the factory seam. I ripped the whole thing apart and re-did it with bulkheads. No Bueno.

.

 

[fragileassassin]

Did a bunch of testing including running the water level up to nearly the tops of the boxes. In total I found two small drips that I was able to take care of by tightening down the inside ring with a pipe wrench a bit. I kinda figured things out as I went when I was installing them so its likely that they were some of the first ones I put in.

At this point, everything is done and final for this grow and im just waiting on my seedlings to get a little bit bigger before I transplant them into the system probably some time next week.
Blue lines down the sides are air lines. Ill be able to use the same holes if/when I change to waterfalls.
At this point though, I may actually need the heat of the air pumps

 

[Airwalker16]

You need to hunt down some gaskets that would work with these man. Measure the thread diameter and try to find a gasket that has the same ID as the dianeter of the threads.

 

[fragileassassin]

You need to hunt down some gaskets that would work with these man. Measure the thread diameter and try to find a gasket that has the same ID as the dianeter of the threads.

Im 4 weeks into flower with this system and I only had 1 more leak that I had to tighten up. There were 3 total that I didnt tighten down quite enough when I put it all.together and it left some gaps.
Totes got shoved around a lot in my first month of veg from me being all in there so much. I'm not really concerned with leaks at this point.

 

[Big Perm]

Did a bunch of testing including running the water level up to nearly the tops of the boxes. In total I found two small drips that I was able to take care of by tightening down the inside ring with a pipe wrench a bit. I kinda figured things out as I went when I was installing them so its likely that they were some of the first ones I put in.

At this point, everything is done and final for this grow and im just waiting on my seedlings to get a little bit bigger before I transplant them into the system probably some time next week.
Blue lines down the sides are air lines. Ill be able to use the same holes if/when I change to waterfalls.
At this point though, I may actually need the heat of the air pumps

View attachment 4176263

That's a nice tent!

 

[fragileassassin]

That's a nice tent!

Thanks, it's even nicer now

 

[neckpod]

Thanks, it's even nicer now

cheers for the link to this.. its gonna help out no end.

Can i Just aks how tall you tent is? is it 2m? thinking i may need a taller tent..

is that 12 x 100ltr totes then? i'm using a 2.4m x 1.2m x 2m a the min but seen some that are 2.2m tall..

How tall are your totes please? external? seen some 62 ltr that may do what i need but think they are too short.

 

[fragileassassin]

cheers for the link to this.. its gonna help out no end.

Can i Just aks how tall you tent is? is it 2m? thinking i may need a taller tent..

is that 12 x 100ltr totes then? i'm using a 2.4m x 1.2m x 2m a the min but seen some that are 2.2m tall..


How tall are your totes please? external? seen some 62 ltr that may do what i need but think they are too short.

Yes its 3mx3mx2m tall, they do have some have extensions you put on them to get them another 2ft taller. This was the absolute tallest tent I can fit in my space so it was perfect for me.
If I had room to go taller, I would have just framed out my own room. I was still going to do it but I found what I felt was a great deal on that tent and it ended up being slightly cheaper plus i didnt have to do all the work. The other downside or large tents is they get really expensive. Mine was $230 USD on amazon and im pretty sure they had it priced wrong because it was $100 cheaper than any other that size and wasnt available for very long. The same model is now $340 on amazon and not seeing many much cheaper.
If you have a large space, itll be better to build a room if at all. Its really easy carpentry work to build basic square or rectangular room as long as you arent installing outlets. If you use a corner of your space you only have to build half of it! Frame it out with 2x4s and hang drywall or cement board and they make this cleanable mylar sheeting that you can line the walls with. This also gives you the option of adding insulation to the walls/ceiling if you want. Just a thought if thats something thats possible for you.

12x 17 gallon sites (64 liter) they probably each have around 6-7 gallons of water in them since my 6: pots are so deep and I didnt want them submerged. the 27 gallon (102 liter) ones are just slightly bigger. My tent is pretty much packed full to capacity and I still have plenty of room in the 17 gal totes. The extra walking space proved more useful than more room for the roots in my setup. You would be pretty cramped with 6 of these totes in your tent, they would only be inches apart.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-17-Gal-Tough-Storage-Tote-in-Black-SH17GTOUGHTLDBY/205808350

+1 of these that I use for my outside res. This ended up wayy bigger than I needed it to be but i had already bought it so i used it anyway.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-55-Gal-Tough-Storage-Tote-in-Black-HDX55GONLINE-4/205597365

 

[neckpod]

Yes its 3mx3mx2m tall, they do have some have extensions you put on them to get them another 2ft taller. This was the absolute tallest tent I can fit in my space so it was perfect for me.
If I had room to go taller, I would have just framed out my own room. I was still going to do it but I found what I felt was a great deal on that tent and it ended up being slightly cheaper plus i didnt have to do all the work. The other downside or large tents is they get really expensive. Mine was $230 USD on amazon and im pretty sure they had it priced wrong because it was $100 cheaper than any other that size and wasnt available for very long. The same model is now $340 on amazon and not seeing many much cheaper.
If you have a large space, itll be better to build a room if at all. Its really easy carpentry work to build basic square or rectangular room as long as you arent installing outlets. If you use a corner of your space you only have to build half of it! Frame it out with 2x4s and hang drywall or cement board and they make this cleanable mylar sheeting that you can line the walls with. This also gives you the option of adding insulation to the walls/ceiling if you want. Just a thought if thats something thats possible for you.

12x 17 gallon sites (64 liter) they probably each have around 6-7 gallons of water in them since my 6: pots are so deep and I didnt want them submerged. the 27 gallon (102 liter) ones are just slightly bigger. My tent is pretty much packed full to capacity and I still have plenty of room in the 17 gal totes. The extra walking space proved more useful than more room for the roots in my setup. You would be pretty cramped with 6 of these totes in your tent, they would only be inches apart.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-17-Gal-Tough-Storage-Tote-in-Black-SH17GTOUGHTLDBY/205808350

+1 of these that I use for my outside res. This ended up wayy bigger than I needed it to be but i had already bought it so i used it anyway.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-55-Gal-Tough-Storage-Tote-in-Black-HDX55GONLINE-4/205597365

Again thank you for all the info, Im in the UK so cant get the tubs you use but i have a local supplier if heavy duty containers they do lots of sizes 97ltr , 62ltr 45ltr and so on..

I think the 62 ltr will be plenty big enough for my needs and probably 3 times the capacity of my current setup.. need to buy a couple and see what they are like.

just about to move house so i hope my new space is bigger so i can upgrade my tent to a much bigger one.

 

[fragileassassin]

Yeah I just posted links because they have the size dimensions