New RDWC Build, Opinions

blackforest · Dec 21, 2015

krinen said:
Has anyone else had issues with 5 gallon buckets cracking while trying to insert pvc into grommets or uniseals? I have put little vertical tears in about 6 buckets. Starting to get frustrated

Yes, all the time I've had this problem. Sucks when the entire system is full of water and it decides to crack. It took a lot of sealant and even the spray rubber stuff to get it 100% sealed.

jijiandfarmgang · Dec 21, 2015

Vumar said:
Just another idea, because I am brainstorming my RDWC as well, that you can get 18g HDX totes if you dont like the 27 HDX. I made a x4 tote system out of 27gal HDX's and a tidy cat 3gal container as a res. Worked well... I wouldnt hate on the totes too much, they have flat surfaces!

HDX totes are thin, Homz ftw

- Jiji

krinen · Dec 21, 2015

I got the buckets to work. I had to use a 1 13/16" hole saw.

Homz??

jijiandfarmgang · Dec 22, 2015

krinen said:
I got the buckets to work. I had to use a 1 13/16" hole saw.

Homz??

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Homz-27-Gallon-Tough-Tote-Black-Yellow-Set-of-4/21119248

Some of the hdx that home depot sells are pretty weak, but I think they used to have thicker ones........

Having said that, the 27 gallons are overkill for most if your doing RDWC, unless you plan on growing trees

- Jiji

krinen · Dec 22, 2015

jijiandfarmgang said:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Homz-27-Gallon-Tough-Tote-Black-Yellow-Set-of-4/21119248

Some of the hdx that home depot sells are pretty weak, but I think they used to have thicker ones........

Having said that, the 27 gallons are overkill for most if your doing RDWC, unless you plan on growing trees

- Jiji

Yeah I'm really trying to go a lot less water. That's why I am trying the buckets.

Vumar · Dec 22, 2015

jijiandfarmgang said:
HDX totes are thin, Homz ftw

- Jiji

THANK YOU! Heading to walmart MEOW to make a new RDWC. Fckkk 5gal buckets.

krinen · Dec 22, 2015

Vumar said:
THANK YOU! Heading to walmart MEOW to make a new RDWC. Fckkk 5gal buckets.

Let me know if you find something that works nice. I've given up on the buckets. I have a stack of 11 cracked ones now. Need to find something adapter that isn't too expensive. Spent way too much on stuff that has failed

Vumar · Dec 22, 2015

krinen said:
Let me know if you find something that works nice. I've given up on the buckets. I have a stack of 11 cracked ones now. Need to find something adapter that isn't too expensive. Spent way too much on stuff that has failed

You must be cracking the buckets because you are using the wrong drill bit.

krinen · Dec 22, 2015

Vumar said:
You must be cracking the buckets because you are using the wrong drill bit.

Using the right bit. Just too much playing around with trying to seal the leaks.

jijiandfarmgang · Dec 23, 2015

I've used ebb and flow fittings (cheap bulkheads) and 3/4" hose on buckets before, probably not enough flow though for what your doing.

Uniseals are cheap, and can work, but I don't like them indoors.

If you want small try to find bulkheads and square buckets.

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=23471&catid=818 .....just an example

- Jiji

krinen · Dec 23, 2015

jijiandfarmgang said:
I've used ebb and flow fittings (cheap bulkheads) and 3/4" hose on buckets before, probably not enough flow though for what your doing.

Uniseals are cheap, and can work, but I don't like them indoors.

If you want small try to find bulkheads and square buckets.

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=23471&catid=818 .....just an example

- Jiji

Those actually look perfect! Yeah the 3/4" even the 1" are too small. My 1 1/4" has a little trouble keeping up with my waterfall pump.

Vumar · Dec 24, 2015

krinen said:
Those actually look perfect! Yeah the 3/4" even the 1" are too small. My 1 1/4" has a little trouble keeping up with my waterfall pump.

because your water pump is too large and moving water too quickly.

krinen · Dec 24, 2015

Vumar said:
because your water pump is too large and moving water too quickly.

It is big. But I think it will mellow out once I get all 8 buckets attached. Right now I only have 4 and the amount of DO in each bucket is insane! No more leaks using the GH areoflo 1.25" grommets. Finally! Still looking into other bucket options locally though. I was going to get those square ones but they wanted $49 to ship them here.

Vumar · Dec 24, 2015

and the price per bucket on that site was insane.

krinen · Dec 24, 2015

Yeah it was a little hard to swallow over $100 for 9 4 gal buckets. I will continue my search

ttystikk · Dec 24, 2015

Major Blazer said:
I certainly do not have the movement of people with 2"+ PVC but yes, a lot of movement and yes I have a waterfall at each grow site, 1/2" lines. Big enough is subjective. Water moves freely enough that the res bucket stays 5-6" lower in water when the pump is on and if I turn the pump off, they level out in a few seconds. If I adjust pH or add nutrients, it takes just almost no time for the buckets to mix 100%. There is enough negative pressure that bubbles from the airstone in my bucket make their way into the res. At first I thought I had a leak and i was going crazy trying to find it lol. Three buckets total, two in a 2'x4' tent and one res outside. I got the ecoplus 396 in there now so its really moving water compared to the 185 I just swapped out.

Gee, this sounds awfully familiar... :bigjoint:

ttystikk · Dec 24, 2015

Major Blazer said:
Inline is a PITA at times but definitely helps to minimize water temperatures.

I'm interested in what jedi has to say about pump size in that large of grow. I'm @ 3 buckets (11gal) and the 396 is more than enough but I'd like to go bigger once I get more comfortable.

Don't do it. Bigger isn't better.

ttystikk · Dec 24, 2015

krinen said:
I loved the tote idea with multiple net pots. I just didn't like the amount of water that the 27gals took to fill. That was my only gripe.

My 600gph does not have the female end under the filter. I think my 396 does though. I'll try using that to start with

More water volume is better, because the larger volume is more stable in every way; temps, EC and pH. I run one 27 gallon tuff box (NOT from Home dePot, theirs are too brittle! ) per plant, six in the room. That's 100 gallons of water capacity and everybody loves it. The plants love the consistent conditions and I love the low maintenance.

ttystikk · Dec 24, 2015

krinen said:
Has anyone else had issues with 5 gallon buckets cracking while trying to insert pvc into grommets or uniseals? I have put little vertical tears in about 6 buckets. Starting to get frustrated

Your problem is the uniseals. Use bulkheads, they'll flatten out the curve in a 5 gallon bucket and seal just fine. Tougher and more durable, too.

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