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How big of a res for 4 plant RDWC? Need chiller?
- Thread starter scurred
- Start date
You shouldn't need a chiller unless your room gets really warm. I would think a 20 gallon res should do good.
mgk
C
Casual
Size your rez large enough to have a good buffer. If you lose power, will enough water back flow into the rez to overflow it?
I've running an 8 site 2.5gallon bucket Ebb and Gro setup on a 35 gallon rez. More than enough.
The larger rez also buffers your pH and makes things a bit more forgiving.
With a recirc setup, you want to keep your water temps under 70, with 65f to 68f being ideal. My rez seemed to heat up to within a few degrees of the room, so I picked up a chiller immediately and my setup ran perfectly for 3 months and 67f-68f.
I found a 1/4hp chiller on craigslist for $300. I tried everything I could to avoid shelling out the money for a chiller, but haven't regretted it one second after I did. Better safe than sorry.
Caz
I've running an 8 site 2.5gallon bucket Ebb and Gro setup on a 35 gallon rez. More than enough.
The larger rez also buffers your pH and makes things a bit more forgiving.
With a recirc setup, you want to keep your water temps under 70, with 65f to 68f being ideal. My rez seemed to heat up to within a few degrees of the room, so I picked up a chiller immediately and my setup ran perfectly for 3 months and 67f-68f.
I found a 1/4hp chiller on craigslist for $300. I tried everything I could to avoid shelling out the money for a chiller, but haven't regretted it one second after I did. Better safe than sorry.
Caz
Yeah, I found one at BGH for $160 rated for 12 gallons, the rest are all $300+. I dont think I can afford it because I am doing a perpetual setup because I'm a patient - so I won't go over my limits, so I would need 2 chillers, I will have to do soil for this round and save up a bit more for the chillers.
Scurred,
like every aspect of hydroponics it seems there are multiple answers. Personally I'd match the combined buckets water volume. So if 5gal buckets with large net pots say 3.5 gal x4 = 14 gal or there abouts will work fine. This assumes you are topping off your rez automatically with a float valve. If not use a larger volume...water level changes in DWC can cause stress.
I run at 68-72F water temp with my res outside in an attached room. If your rez is in a 77-80f room or under HID lights and or your pump generates a lot of heat...you might need a cooler.
good luck,
HM
like every aspect of hydroponics it seems there are multiple answers. Personally I'd match the combined buckets water volume. So if 5gal buckets with large net pots say 3.5 gal x4 = 14 gal or there abouts will work fine. This assumes you are topping off your rez automatically with a float valve. If not use a larger volume...water level changes in DWC can cause stress.
I run at 68-72F water temp with my res outside in an attached room. If your rez is in a 77-80f room or under HID lights and or your pump generates a lot of heat...you might need a cooler.
good luck,
HM
You just need a 10 sterlite tub for a res and IF your rez gets to 75 get a chiller.
And ebb n gro blows,rdwc for life!!!
And ebb n gro blows,rdwc for life!!!
Also plantlighthydroponics.com has 1/4hp eco plus chillers for 399 with $50 shipping to oregon,that's where I got mine and its tits!!
If you plan to stick with ANY dwc GET A CHILLER!!! Its a very valuble piece of equipment in a hydroponic grow room.
If you plan to stick with ANY dwc GET A CHILLER!!! Its a very valuble piece of equipment in a hydroponic grow room.
