Comparing the 2 main RDWC designs (waterfall, undercurrent)

V

Verdant Vicar

Active Member
Experts or people with these systems, what do you like and what would you do differently?
Assuming 4 grow sites with 5 gallon pails/buckets.

Common pieces:
  • 2-3 inch PVC pipes between the grow sites
  • Air stones + air pump
  • Water pump is inline and not submerged in the reservoir
Main Differences
  1. Undercurrent system: Water is pumped from the returns from the last two grow sites, falling into the reservoir. E.g.: CCH2O
    Side question, could that cause some grow site reservoirs to have lower water levels? (saw some threads)
  2. Waterfall system: Water is pumped from the reservoir, through 1/2-1 inch tubes, falling into the 4 grow sites. E.g.: PA Hydroponics
    Pipe splits need to be equal to have same water levels.
 
There is tons of info recently posted talking about all this. Search RDWC waterfall and check it out. Will link some here in a bit..
 
Last edited:
Verdant Vicar said:
Experts or people with these systems, what do you like and what would you do differently?
Assuming 4 grow sites with 5 gallon pails/buckets.

Common pieces:
  • 2-3 inch PVC pipes between the grow sites
  • Air stones + air pump
  • Water pump is inline and not submerged in the reservoir
Main Differences
  1. Undercurrent system: Water is pumped from the returns from the last two grow sites, falling into the reservoir. E.g.: CCH2O
    Side question, could that cause some grow site reservoirs to have lower water levels? (saw some threads)
  2. Waterfall system: Water is pumped from the reservoir, through 1/2-1 inch tubes, falling into the 4 grow sites. E.g.: PA Hydroponics
    Pipe splits need to be equal to have same water levels.
Click to expand...
Waterfall setup allows you to ditch the air pump/line/stones entirely.
 
Airwalker16 said:
I along with about a dozen other members here use waterfall setups with no airstones
Click to expand...
Awesome, one less complexity. The waterfall must not touch, be falling into the netpot/roots right? Some netpots I'm planning are not centered and on the corner (smaller plants, multiple).
 
Verdant Vicar said:
Awesome, one less complexity. The waterfall must not touch, be falling into the netpot/roots right? Some netpots I'm planning are not centered and on the corner (smaller plants, multiple).
Click to expand...
I wouldn't suggest the waterfall be running right on the roots, but ita pretty idiot-proof. Just have an inlet of water coming into the container with a few inches of distance for the water to fall.
 
Verdant Vicar said:
I started to read that. Was there anyone who did a test with and without air stones?
Click to expand...
I started with air stones, airwalker questioned why and then I swapped it to waterfall. Assuming DO went up, what I noticed is water stabilized even better, it circulated better, ph/ec readings quicker. It’s kinda like peace of mind, it’s just working and it works well. I don’t see why anyone would test the two.

Here’s what I ended up doing, there’s a lot of info and ideas and very knowledgeable people here on RIU.

70gal RDWC Waterfall update

Alright, it wasn’t the most fun I had at 3am on a Monday night, but I got it done. After the idea was planted to update my month old system to waterfalls I just had to do it ASAP. I currently have a grow on the go but I am at half capacity so it worked out. Systems is 5x25gal totes filed to...
www.rollitup.org
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

O
First grow in RDWC. Wish me luck.
4 5 6
Replies
105
Views
5K
OldDude420
O
B
Converting DWC to RDWC
2
Replies
22
Views
2K
Boatguy
Boatguy
Spider-Man
ProPhet, time to start the nutient study
Replies
1
Views
206
go go kid
go go kid
B
Help with water flow of my setup
Replies
8
Views
775
Fallguy111
Fallguy111
Norlovestogrow
Grow 2 Diary 1: DIY RDWC Grapefruit Haze
Replies
3
Views
515
Norlovestogrow
Norlovestogrow
Back
Top