SPECIFIC Help with a new DIY RDWC (I think) system...?

[Saul Good]

Hello good people. I need some specific advice on a new RDWC system I'm building. Here's some initial specs from my end: 3.5 gal plant buckets (5) with 8" netpot lids, seedlings will be in 1.5" Rockwell cubes and set into hydroton, with 1/4" drip lines on top and a 1 1/4" rigid return system back to the rez. Airstones in each plant pot, plus a larger airstone in the rez for lots of D.O., HD airpump with a manifold, and a H2O manifold for distributing the drip lines. I'll most likely be going with GH Lucas for nutes.
So...here's what I'm asking for: I've spent hours and hours on RUI looking for some specific info on Pump sizes (air and water), resevoir sizes based on specific system, bucket size etc. (for instance, for a 5 bucket, 3.5 gallon system would I use a 20 gal. rez? a 40 gal. rez?, etc.) and haven't found any true specific or formulas for figuring the same.
Ido understan that there are always variables (light, air, etc.) but I'm hoping that you good folks might help me to narrow things down a bit with the following:

AIR PUMP: How many LPM(LPH?) are optimum for such a system?

WATER PUMP: How many GPH are optimum?

FEED AND RETURN LINES: Are 1/4" feed and 1 1/4" returns the best way to go for a smaller system like this? Bigger? Smaller?

REZ SIZE: What size rez is optimum for a system on this scale? Figuring I'll be changing it out each week or every couple of weeks. Actually advice on this would be helpful also.

Anything else that might be helpful to a RDWC beginner would be appreciated. I've had good success for the last 4 years or so with both soil and basic bubbler hydro, but some of the trees I'm seeing on some of the grow journals using this system has me convinced to give it a try. I just hate to piss my money away on the wrong equipment choices.
BTW: I've using two 400W light boxes for the time being and I need to stay with that for now.
I'm hoping that this thread might become a useful tool for others such as myself, who understand the CONCEPT of RDWC, but just need specific advice about the mechanics of it.

Thanks a bunch in advance for and help provided. As an added incentive, I will send each of you a brand new Learjet 45 XR business jet for each helpful response. Or a +REP (my choice).

Again thanks and much peace to all...

-Saul-

P.S: There are so many folks on RUI that have helped me so much over the years that I can't even try to name them all. But I truly appreciate the sharing and helpful nature of the community. If it wasn't for y'all, I'd be still buying from the high school kids and contributing to the delinquency of minors. Since I'm able to grow my own herbs and vegetables, I've done a small part in disabling the cartels. We should all be proud of that. Just my 2 cents...

 

[redi jedi]

There's a sticky ^

 

[Friendly Caregiver]

RDWC is very easy and straight forward, if you do not complicate things. Too many people complicate it and have terrible results. The main thing about RDWC is that gravity should be doing most of the work. Arrange all of your buckets, with the res preferably outside of your room. Raise the level of your buckets just a few inches, so that when filled, the water level in your buckets is slightly lower than your res. Place the the water pump inside your reservoir, and run it to each bucket via top feed. This way, each plant is being fed directly from your reservoir. Let gravity take any water exiting your buckets back into your res. This is the most ideal way of doing RDWC, especially with a smaller system like 5 buckets.

 

[Saul Good]

Thanks for replying, FC and Jedi... I'm guessing that my questions were either worded wrong, or not that compelling. And your reply, FC, puts it into a nutshell. An RDWC system is VERY subjective with a poopload of variables....bucket size, pipe size, etc. etc. I simply thought that some folks at RUI who have experience with these systems might want to share specific info about their particular systems and successes/failures. I'm going to go ahead with my system, post a grow journal and share what I learn as I go along. Maybe that will help some future growers and it may or may not cost me a few beans along the way as I figure it out. Thanks again.

 

[mr. green thumb 01]

I dont use a recirculating DWC but just a DWC system. Each tub is its own reservoir. Lots of air. No drip lines. Less things to go wrong imo. Stellar results.

Nothing against drip lines dont get me wrong but just saying they aren't really necessary.

Pretty soon each tub will have its own 2nd large reservoir so I can leave it unattended for a long or longer period of time.

I do it like this so I dont have to have all of my tubs or plants on the same cycle and can grow multiple strains in the same room.

 

[flat9]

Mr. Green Thumb 01 -- do you find this to be much more work in terms of nutes, refilling, and what not? How much time do you spend tending to your plants on a daily basis?

I dont use a recirculating DWC but just a DWC system. Each tub is its own reservoir. Lots of air. No drip lines. Less things to go wrong imo. Stellar results.

Nothing against drip lines dont get me wrong but just saying they aren't really necessary.

Pretty soon each tub will have its own 2nd large reservoir so I can leave it unattended for a long or longer period of time.

I do it like this so I dont have to have all of my tubs or plants on the same cycle and can grow multiple strains in the same room.