ebb and grow flood times

[dr.dro]

hey setting up a ebb and grow system got 96 buckets which im starting to think i need bigger tubing or two controller buckets. heres why got an upgraded pump to fill the controller and buckets its a 800 gph so it should fill 200 gallons in 15 minutes which is fine, but it takes like 30-40 minutes to drain as the drain pump is only 350 gph and it works off of gravity.
1. is this too long to flood plants 15 min fill and 30-40 drain total time flood and drain 45-50 min?
2. if so should i get another controller bucket and attach 48 to each controller bucket cause the only thing i can think to do is get bigger lines and thats a mission at this point.

also can some one explain how the bottom float valves work?

yesterday i was in the room and flood light came on and the pump didnt kick on at all (scary problem). there was a little water in controller bucket about an inch maybe and after i started messing with the float vales it kicked on any idea of what my problem might be


thanks
dr.

 

[dtfsux]

Yes 30-45 minutes to drain is too long.

Do you only have one drain and one fill line at the controller? If so, add more and make 4-5 manifolds, that will help. Bigger tubing will work as well. A bigger drain pump may be needed.

as far as the floats go, I don't know. This is a premade system right? So all the floats should be in the right spot. See if any are sticking

 

[dr.dro]

How can I make more drain lines?? You mean use two more pumps: two pumps in Rez with two fill lines going to the controller bucket? And the same for drain?? The drain problem is that with gravity the buckets do not drain fast enough into the controller bucket.

 

[dtfsux]

Sorry I forgot the drain and fill lines are the same. I have run buckets so I should know this.

How many holes in the bottom of the bucket? one? are all 96 buckets filling and draining through one hole?

If so, put in 4-5 more holes, and run 15-20 buckets off each hole. That way all the water isnt trying to drain through one line.

I also elevated my buckets 2" some by laying them on 2x4's and plywood.