Taking the leap. Soil to waterfall rdwc

After days of research ive decided im gonna give hydro a shot. Im going to be building a 4 plant rdwc waterfall test system, run a veg through it and if I like the results im going to build a lot more.

I need some help though I cant find much info on matching up pipe sizes to pots and water pumps. I was thinking 2 inch pipe or tubing but not sure how big a water pump id need. Or if 2" is even a hood size. Just want to make sure I do everything right.

Any advice is appreciated

You will like it, just plan for more. Someone whos more seasoned will help ya with design. I’m on my first run myself. It will be 2” for the connecting pipes to each site, prob 1/2” line to the top of each site for the waterfall, for basics, pumps I’m not commenting on other then prob 800gph or higher. Containers, I like my tubs, find something light proof, rigid, square buckets look cool, easy to utilize space. My containers can hold 2 plants and are 25 gallons in size. See a lot of 5 gallon pails.. I used uni seals for my 2” connections. Don’t cheap out on those whatever you decide.

Do you still use air stones with yours or does the waterfall produce enough oxygen ?

fuelthereactor said:

Do you still use air stones with yours or does the waterfall produce enough oxygen ?

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No I got my hands slapped by @Airwalker16 so I took them out. Don’t tell him there’s one in my main res still lmao. Honestly I don’t know why. It’s not needed.

fuelthereactor said:

Do you still use air stones with yours or does the waterfall produce enough oxygen ?

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It's more than enough oxygen. Hopefully we can get j232 to lose the last stone so he can enjoy the silence of a setup with NO Air Pumps!

Airwalker16 said:

It's more than enough oxygen. Hopefully we can get j232 to lose the last stone so he can enjoy the silence of a setup with NO Air Pumps!

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if I do it, know I did it for you man!

So the water pump is going to be hooked up to the waterfall lines and the 2" lines are my return correct?

@Airwalker16 are 5 gallon buckets large enough for a veg and flower cycle? Also what size water pump would you reccomend for a 4 plant waterfall system?

fuelthereactor said:

So the water pump is going to be hooked up to the waterfall lines and the 2" lines are my return correct? Are 5 gallon buckets large enough for a veg and flower cycle? Also what size water pump would you reccomend for a 4 plant waterfall system?

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Yeah on the return, yes you suck the res water and pump it to the buckets via waterfall, 2” connects all the sites at lowest point. Check into DC voltage pumps, variable. 5 gallons enough, that also depends on what your doing, most kits are 5 gal pails I think, never looked real hard. I went bigger.