DTW Coco Pump Sizing

[merkaba]

What size pump are folks using with Coco DTW drip systems? I have built a manifold as per Pico's instructions, running 1/4" lines to each of 16 plants in 2 gallon pots. Will probably either set up basket sprayers or put a T in each pot to increase distribution. I have an old ebb and flow pump (Ecoplus 132) and was thinking to switching to either a higher gph pump and/or a higher pressure pump such as the MagDrive 350 gph. Thoughts?

 

[Treetroit City]

I do 12 plants(2 gallon coco) on a pico manifold and use a 396 I believe. 1/4" open lines to a "T".

Takes between a minute and three to get run off depending on how dry the pots are.

That's pumping from a 55 gallon barrel, so 3 feet of lift and then about 6 feet across the floor.

 

[merkaba]

Yeah, mine are no more than 3 ft high and spread out on a 4x4 table, so that should work well. I was also just wondering, should I soak them really well at the start of flowering or just trust that the tiny amount during each drip cycle will wick it's way through the medium?

Thanks much!

 

[Treetroit City]

Depends on the root system and size of plant. If they have got a good root in the 2 gallon pot by all means soak em.

If you are transplanting and throwing in flower right away I would take it easy until they are rooted good. You definitely want some runoff with 2 gallon pots(once they're established). I water/feed to run off every time.

I think that is what you're asking.

 

[merkaba]

Spot on, thanks for the quick reply. They were in 4" RW cubes, transplanted (cube and all) into 8.5" squares with hydroton on the bottom filled with coco. Hand watered and let them be for a week or so, just moved them into bloom tonight. I don't see massive roots shooting out the bottom, but they def. jumped about 4" in that week time. My intuition tells me to give them a good soaking...but I def. have been known to overlove plants, haha

 

[Treetroit City]

You're fine to give them a good soaking, just let them dry a bit before the next soaking. Shouldn't take but a day or three.

As soon as they need water everyday, plug up and relax.

 

[merkaba]

Yeah, I actually dumped pulled one still in veg out, the roots are starting to run but not have yet to really create a nice tight ball inside the pot. I will def. just transplant direct to the coco next time, make sure I get a better root mass prior to flowering. I think I might have to treat this first round as a bit of a hybrid hand water/drip. As you suggested, water them at first and then set them as drip. I am really excited to see how this whole DTW Coco works out.

 

[merkaba]

I just got a 396 pump but have yet to really use it as the plants are still a bit wet from the transplant. It def. put out a better flow. I am going to set up the "T" tonight on each of them.

 

[merkaba]

So, you drip till just when run off starts? Or let say....it run for a bit AFTER run off ensues?

 

[Treetroit City]

I just feed till the last one starts to run off. That way I know none are getting shorted. Seems there is always one that takes a little longer.

Ideally they would all be even but it never works out that way, depends on the root system of each plant. They are always within 10-20 seconds on a 2 gallon though.

I've heard Mistking timers are good for timing down to the second.

 

[merkaba]

Did you notice a great stretch in DTW drip vs hand watering? Or other methods? Mine seem to be jumping quickly....

 

[merkaba]

I started noticing a bit of a droop even though the coco was still damp...not clumpy wet...but loose wet. So this is the first light cycle with 3 waterings...we shall see. I must say though, I am pretty sure I can already see why folks love this method.