RDWC With not som much "R"

X

xkx

Member
Hey RIU.

I have a 8 pot RDWC Setup.. 20L Buckets and with 32mm pipes connecting them.. I've run into the problem with pipes getting clogged by the roots! and causing flooding.. Im at day 31 of flower and 2 months of veg before that.. It is very frustrating not being able to leave my water pump on in my rez because it will flood - so not much Recirculation going on unless im watching it while turned on.
I was thinking about change the buckets for 35L ones next grow but im afraid it will do the same... I have already pulled the roots out with my hand down into the nutrient solution but it happens again shortly after... I didnt have this problem when i had a 16mm pipe system some years ago but it was a concern of mine and i went with the 32mm system to get some peace of mind.. But it as you can read it turned out to be not so great..

Any input?

System im using :

sistema-idroponico-rdwc-8-vasi-growrillahydroponics-sistemi-coltivazione-idroponica-scaled.jpg
 
Hi, I've never done RDWC just regular DWC however I have just read in another thread that someone said they use a cheese cloth to patch the holes. I'm assuming maybe a cheese cloth is too strong to let roots get through but allow the water to. Not speaking from me it's just something I just read now so figured I'd let you know since that sounds annoying for you. Hopefully maybe helps you out.
 
xkx said:
Hey RIU.

I have a 8 pot RDWC Setup.. 20L Buckets and with 32mm pipes connecting them.. I've run into the problem with pipes getting clogged by the roots! and causing flooding.. Im at day 31 of flower and 2 months of veg before that.. It is very frustrating not being able to leave my water pump on in my rez because it will flood - so not much Recirculation going on unless im watching it while turned on.
I was thinking about change the buckets for 35L ones next grow but im afraid it will do the same... I have already pulled the roots out with my hand down into the nutrient solution but it happens again shortly after... I didnt have this problem when i had a 16mm pipe system some years ago but it was a concern of mine and i went with the 32mm system to get some peace of mind.. But it as you can read it turned out to be not so great..

Any input?

System im using :

sistema-idroponico-rdwc-8-vasi-growrillahydroponics-sistemi-coltivazione-idroponica-scaled.jpg
Click to expand...
Interesting system. What did it cost?

When I had issues with roots clogging my outlet ports, I just rolled up my sleeve, lifted the lid, reached down and carefully pulled the roots out of the line. I only had to do it maybe once or twice a run so it wasn't a big deal.
 
theFLAKE said:
Hi, I've never done RDWC just regular DWC however I have just read in another thread that someone said they use a cheese cloth to patch the holes. I'm assuming maybe a cheese cloth is too strong to let roots get through but allow the water to. Not speaking from me it's just something I just read now so figured I'd let you know since that sounds annoying for you. Hopefully maybe helps you out.
Click to expand...
Having tried various strainers, I found that the roots loved to grow into them and clog them just as fast- and now you have to damage a bunch of roots to get the strainer out to clean it. Simply pulling the roots out of the hole and maybe folding them back a bit worked fine for me and didn't hurt the plant.
 
legitroller said:
2inch to 3inch pipe is the way to go..
Click to expand...
That gets expensive and unnecessary. Also, rigid pipe limits your ability to make your RDWC fit the space and to make changes it's a pain in the ass.

My RDWC can be reconfigured in 5 minutes with no tools. Also, I don't use an air pump, air lines or stones for aeration and mine works better. A lot better. I don't need a strainer, either.
 
Absorber said:
You need to fit some uniseals and increase pipe size to 90mmView attachment 5455470
Click to expand...
Nah mate. Bulkhead fittings are the way to go, because then you can use flexible hose, simplifying the build out, along with the inevitable changes and reconfigurations.

Big holes for RDWC are just an exercise in barking up the wrong tree. Having more water flowing from bucket to bucket doesn't do a thing for the plants.
 
ttystikk said:
That gets expensive and unnecessary. Also, rigid pipe limits your ability to make your RDWC fit the space and to make changes it's a pain in the ass.

My RDWC can be reconfigured in 5 minutes with no tools. Also, I don't use an air pump, air lines or stones for aeration and mine works better. A lot better. I don't need a strainer, either.
Click to expand...
You can add those rubber couplings with big hose clamps to make it reconfigurable , what isnt expensive these days hopefully you do it right and do it once
 
ttystikk said:
Nah mate. Bullhead fittings are the way to go, because then you can use flexible hose, simplifying the build out, along with the inevitable changes and reconfigurations.
Click to expand...
Problem with the bulk head fittings is they leave too much water in the bottom of the buckets as the sit higher .
Always good to have options
 
Absorber said:
You can add those rubber couplings with big hose clamps to make it reconfigurable , what isnt expensive these days hopefully you do it right and do it once
Click to expand...
1" bulkhead fittings are $40 for a bag of 10 of them.

Moving things around as your needs change is just a part of life and growing. Making it easier to do is an investment that pays dividends every time you want to change something.
 
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