tent and outside res question.

I want to run an outside res for a 4 site RDWC in a 4 x 4 tent but not sure about how to do the lower feed lines since the lower access hole on the tent is higher or above the bottom of the buckets. Would adding a riser and a elbo to get out of tent effect bucket level and flow back to the res ? The only other way I see is to poke a hole in my tent ?

I setup my system the same way (about to run it for the first time later this week). My solution was to elevate the reservoir up on some blocks so the bottom feed line was about level with the tent hole opening, and would gravity feed to the bottom of the buckets. I'd have thought putting elbows or something would partly restrict that natural flow - though depending on how large the water body was - it will still find it's natural level, but may not circulate as well. Putting a hole in the tent would seem like a shame/last resort though.

As long as no air is trapped in the raised portion, it will flow just fine. If I were to do this, I'd have some way to bleed air from that section to be sure. A small, threaded hole for a shallow screw, or something of the like.

You could use a PUNCH to put a hole in the tent.
This would leave a perfect hole that could be blocked with a plug, whenever the hole was not needed.
Much tidier than stabbing rough openings with anything sharp.

Also - can't the reservoir be IN the tent, with the plant pots above it?
Wilma systems all do it this way and a home made bespoke system could quite easily be made up.

Stilts in the reservoir that support a base/floor for the plants to stand on.

If my reservoir was outside the tent I'd need a 4 x 4 area for the tent and another 4 x 4 area for the res.
It seems a very inefficient use of space.

Don't poke holes in your tent. That little center hole is perfect to run your main line through, although you will need to always remember when you are getting into the tent to not step on the line(common sense).

Guess I'm the minority... I would just stab a hole in the tent.

I used to run rdwc with an outside res, I just left the bottom zipper open and ran the lines out that way.

NorthofEngland said:

It seems a very inefficient use of space.

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Having a "brain room" may seem like an inefficient use of space, but I can no longer imagine growing without one. It's so nice to have your epicenter, chiller, and reservoir outside the flower room. My reservoir temps are always in the 60's...The heat created from my chiller isn't increasing the temps of the flower room...My favorite part is that I can do solution change-outs during the night cycle without ever having to enter the flower room. Brain rooms are nice. If you have the means and space, I highly recommend one.

Malevolence said:

Guess I'm the minority... I would just stab a hole in the tent.

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Me too. That's what I did to get my 2" manifold pvc, return line, and oxygen line through the framed wall that I currently have covered in panda film. I sealed it up with some duct tape and insulation. In the future, I plan to replace the panda film with plywood. When I do, I'll cut a square hole at the bottom of one of the sheets of plywood so the two inch pvc can exit the room and the return line and oxygen line can exit the room running underneath the pvc. Seal it up with just a black towel or something and I'll have easy access to the oxygen line and return line. The only problem is that I can never seem to find the right time to shut down my flower room for some upgrades and improvements, Hah!