Quad12 JustMeds RDWC Build

JustMeds said:
It sure seemed to get real quite on this site the last few days.

I got a 27 gallon tote to use as a reservoir. It will hold about 14 gallons when flush to bottom of 1-1/2" drain pipe.
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Not sure about everyone else but I've been away for the better part of a week and just got back home.

I also calibrated everything using the bottom of the 1-1/2" return pipe but when the system was in operation I found that the water level in the return line was running at the top of the pipe (ie; full) and so the water level in the cells was 1-1/2" higher than I expected. I had to shorten the rise by 1-1/2". Already your design would have paid dividends for me as you'd only need to raise the pots in the cell if necessary. My case required surgery on the return line.
 
JustMeds said:
Measured the output through the system. It is putting out 1/2 gallon a minute. So do you think 30 gallons an hour across the roots is good?
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I have no idea what would be min., max, or optimal for water flow across the roots but I'm circulating 137 gal/hr, along with 300 L/hr of air across each cell. My total system hold 90 L when operating.
 
VexGrows said:
Nice, looks great! Can't wait to see it in action. .

Gives me ideas on how to expanded my "RADDWC" system to 4-6 sites down the road. .

Kudos!
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I tried getting to your signature link to check things out and it is not working. I will try again later maybe its just the time of day. Welcome aboard and throw out any ideas you have. Ideas are always welcome here.
 
Suntana said:
I've been lurking in the background, love this build.
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Glad to have you aboard, pull up a chair. If we all learn a little something from it then we are doing good. If nothing else we will have a good laugh.
 
Scrogdawg said:
I have no idea what would be min., max, or optimal for water flow across the roots but I'm circulating 137 gal/hr, along with 300 L/hr of air across each cell. My total system hold 90 L when operating.
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I am hoping 30 gallons an hour and NO AIR will work. I will not have nothing to compare it to in the beginning. After I get it dialed in I can add some air in future grows to compare to the base line.
 
I saw a graph a while back that showed the required amount of DO in water to support growth and it was surprisingly low. I would bet you'll be OK with your setup at 30 gal/hr. If you find you do need a top up with air, just a stone in the reservoir would be plenty.
 
When I was watching the water move in cells during leak test it was just a real gentle move towards the drain. That should be real easy on the ultra fine roots.

I was thinking a small pump in res if needed just doing fluming for extra DO if needed.
 
JustMeds said:
Putting 1" of pea stone in bottom may take this down to 1/2 gallon at drain. Have to get some to try.
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I'm so glad I found your journal. I NEED something like this for my res. I'm still on the first page, but will definitely read it all before the end of today. I envy your setup. My buddy and I built an almost identical setup in his basement a few years ago, but he got cold feet as soon as we broke some beans. I've since relocated the gear to other places and got him his money back and then some, but I am still in search of a basement or building on a slab so I can finally get to grow in RDWC. I've been a big fan of HygroHybrid on YT for many years, but I refuse to do any DWC on wooden floors, that's my rule.
 
I am thinking of running the water at the bottom of net pot up to about 1/2" deep in bottom of net pot. With the pea stone I think it will have a large enough dry area. What you all think? Just doing some planning for in a few weeks I think.
 
What I'm doing now is top feed into rock wool mini cubes, in a very small space of 3 and half feet squared. I veg for 10 plus weeks, so they're already monsters going into bloom. That said, the plant sits atop its reservoir, and in a room that small, it's impossible trying to remove the tote for a res change, so I've been leaving I estimate a gallon and a half to two gallons every week. So after I add my RO and measure ppm, I'm starting at roughly 180 which sucks ass. This is why I am so happy to find your idea of using pea gravel as this would allow me to empty out way more than I currently am. My only concern is what the pea gravel is made out of. Certain elements can be very influential to PH, and I don't want get into that nightmare again. Still, this has my mind racing the right way to figure out how to occupy the bottom few inches of my res w/o altering my PH if pea gravel would be a problem.

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Wow.... You use a chainsaw when you harvest...LOL

I think of the pea stone like this. Them rocks been around for a long, long time. If they were going to dissolve and change PH much they would have done so all ready. I think the little bit that they may leech out and change the PH will be nothing to worry about. I will be finding out soon. I think maybe if you used limestone or something like that may create problems. The pea stone I am planning to use was like $4 at the landscape place for a 40# bag. I will be soaking mine in vinegar solution just to make sure they are good and clean before use. Then will rinse them off with just clean fresh water before plants go in.
 
JustMeds said:
I am thinking of running the water at the bottom of net pot up to about 1/2" deep in bottom of net pot. With the pea stone I think it will have a large enough dry area. What you all think? Just doing some planning for in a few weeks I think.
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I might be blowing smoke here but food for thought. I'd be OK with running a high water level if I had air stones, but without the stones I'd worry about drowning the plant. ???


JustMeds said:
Thinking of hanging the scrog net from the top of tent instead of supporting it with poles, what you all think of that?
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How are you anchoring the scrog down so the plants don't just push it up as they grow?
 
Scrogdawg said:
I might be blowing smoke here but food for thought. I'd be OK with running a high water level if I had air stones, but without the stones I'd worry about drowning the plant. ???
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If I was at the bottom of the net pot I would have 5" to the top. Is that not enough? I could run one a inch or so lower with the adjust ability to compare. If anyone would have some good links on water levels I will go read them for sure. I have seen so many my eyes are crossing..LOL




Scrogdawg said:
How are you anchoring the scrog down so the plants don't just push it up as they grow?
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I figured a 4 foot square of 1-1/2" pipe they would not lift, am I thinking wrong here?
 
Is it possible to include a Venturi value onto your water pump? The Venturi sucks in air bubbles as the water flows past it and can improve oxygenation, especially if you have a very powerful pump.
 
Skybound said:
Is it possible to include a Venturi value onto your water pump? The Venturi sucks in air bubbles as the water flows past it and can improve oxygenation, especially if you have a very powerful pump.
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Air is the only damn thing in JustMeds systems thats free and he won't use it...:rofl::rofl::rofl:
 
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