RDWC drain height/pump timer questions

[spadedNfaded]

Hello!

Im building a drain-to-res RDWC setup for winter this year, very basic.

20 gallon reservoir, (4) 3.5gal buckets, water pump to 1/2" line feeding the thru the lid on each bucket, each bucket with a 3/4 to 1" drain tube and a 4 port air pump w a air stone in each bucket incase the pump fails. The idea is to feed water into each bucket and have the excess drain back down to the res.

Anway, im undecided as to what height to locate the big drain hole. When i do basic DWC i usually top off or do a fill of 2 gallons in a 3.5gallon container, 1 gallon in a 2 gallon container and 1/2 gal in a 1gal container. Should i locate it at the 2gal mark to keep the same amount of water in the rdwc as the dwc? Or would it be ok to locate it at 1.5 since the water will be exchanged?

Also, in my setup, should the pump circulate all the time? Is it ok to do so? Would it be better to have it cycle 4-6 times a day for 30 min? What do you recommend?

Thank you!!!

- SubN

 

[socialist]

I would suggest putting the drain so its just above where you want your water levels to be.

 

[spadedNfaded]

That's the question im trying to figure out, does it matter where the water level is in RDWC? I usually run 2 gallons max in a 3.5 so i suppose that would be a good starting point.

I suppose the more nutrient in the bucket the less water flow would be needed.

- SubN

 

[thefalsediviner]

Below any media that will retain or wick water. I.E., in my case lower than the bottom of my rock wool blocks. However I would suggest you use your large return lines at floor, and control your water level with a control bucket and a float valve.

tfd

 

[ajc0k]

I just started a RDWC system myself based off Blazeoneups tutorial slightly modified. 1/2" feed lines with shut off valves on each bucket for even feed distribution.
I have no idea why the DIY thread was deleted, it was by far one of the most helpful threads on this forum. However, you can google Blazeoneup RDWC and you'll find it elsewhere.

I built a 9 bucket system for my 1k .. I used a 1 1/4" hole saw with a starter bit, and as blaze stated, drill 1/4 from the "lip" at the bottom of the bucket, get a $2 roll of teflon tape and wrap up the threads on a 3/4" ebb n flow fitting w/ screen, screw it in and your good to go bra. I also believe raising the drains would make it bio-bucket style.

I'm new to the RDWC but from all the gathered research i think you'd make things much easier by adding a 18 gallon tote for your control bucket, then set up a float valve on the controller at desired water level for the buckets for auto-top off. I also raised the buckets on some 2x4's for better nute recirculation.
As for the mixing pump, i just leave mine on for a nice waterfall effect in the controller and recirculating added nutes.. you could always set it up on a timer