dwc with drip rings

I have a dwc with drip rings I have plenty of air but I was wondering how important of a role circulation plays in root health. I haven't seen any comments specifically on that.

smtent said:

I have a dwc with drip rings I have plenty of air but I was wondering how important of a role circulation plays in root health. I haven't seen any comments specifically on that.

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Circulation of water is key.
Thats why most of us DWC users have evolved to an RDWC setup. Note the R standing for RECIRCULATING. The water is pumped through a manifold and delivered to each bucket/site via a waterfall which eliminates the need for air pumps/stones entirely.

So if you're doing a single site system, really just using air stones at the bottom is your best bet. But a drip ring, in MY opinion, is completely pointless. The roots pull up all the water they could ever possibly need as they're completely submerged in water already. So I don't see any use for a drip ring to drizzle water over them from the top, too.

I to would like to evolve is there a link somewhere that show some examples of the RDWC I have never liked the rings although they have been effective.

Agreed, drip rings are great when your roots are too short but not needed after a week

ok so off work now started looking at these systems I feel like I could probably turn my existing system into an rdwc and just from looking at a couple of them I am sure I want to, is there a thread in the forums with some buying reccomendations as far as pumps etc. ?

smtent said:

ok so off work now started looking at these systems I feel like I could probably turn my existing system into an rdwc and just from looking at a couple of them I am sure I want to, is there a thread in the forums with some buying reccomendations as far as pumps etc. ?

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What are your sites bult from? Buckets or totes? You want a large diameter line to prevent roots from clogging your system. Bulkheads are the best way to do that, like 2 or even 3 inch. Now that works on totes with a flat side area large enough to mount the bulkhead.

Here is a link to some examplkes of bulkhead fittings. Some have threads for the the PVC pipe and some have a slip fit for being glued up.

https://www.zoro.com/banjo-bulkhead-tank-fitting-2-in-black-poly-tf200/i/G3303684/feature-product?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIs7DC1eOD4wIVgq_sCh2LMgzfEAQYAyABEgJDkvD_BwE

IMHO having used both, I prefer a small lpp (with venturi) on a deep cycle timer set at ~ 3 minutes on and 2 hours off should keep roots happy without introducing too much ambient air and CO2

Thanks for the info. I also found some other threads on the forums here with some great info I have good air but I am going to modify this system and eliminate these drip rings I currently am running 2 GH drip ring systems with air induced circulation I have added pumps that I use to suplement my circulation already but I like the idea of the waterfall and bigger piping. I am going to cut some bigger holes and modify my plumbing and make it happen
Thanks for all the info Renfro, I cant make a rhyme with the rest of your names so Ill just have to say thanks again everyone, I love these forums.

Here's my take on how to recirculate a waterfarm type set up... Without adding anymore heat than the existing drip ring does.. The mod will move 5-6 gal from the reservoir to the drip ring, gravity returns the water to the reservoir.. https://www.bing.com/search?q=waterfarm+recirculating+reservoir&form=WNSGPH&qs=SW&cvid=c306043f8fb7454db430eee07b0545ce&pq=waterfarm+recirculating+reservoir&cc=US&setlang=en-US&nclid=4147BC530ECE2129EEC639C472CA8439&ts=1565195174672&wsso=Moderate …
You'll find a couple threads there and a ton of images.. It's a very old idea, it simply involves adding a standing water column in the grow bucket for the drip ring to draw water from.....

As long as enough DO is added to the root zone, I don't believe really matters much how fast you run the reservoir through your grow buckets..

I like the info Mighty I am going to make some modifications to my existing set up I am adding more airstone oxy and I am going to find a way to circulate my water a tad faster than it currently is doing.