[FDae]

I have 7 3/8" lines that go 5 feet high.

I want to feed each stalk at the same time when I run the pump

each stalk has 3 "homes" in it. 21 plant total using hydroton
using 2 x 600hps


what sort of main line should I run? something like 3/4" around the base and have each stalk coupled in with a 3/8 to 3/4 reducer? 7 separate lines?

what do I do?

[Me2]

Assuming 1gpm for each tube is enough, you should be ok with a pump capable of 7gpm @ 10.3ft head (4.6psi)
I`d use a single 3/4" (or 1") pipe to feed a 3/4" (or 1") ring manifold at the top of the unit and then tap off the ring using tee`s to minimize the length of the 3/8" lines.

[Carboy]

Originally Posted by Me2

Assuming 1gpm for each tube is enough, you should be ok with a pump capable of 7gpm @ 10.3ft head (4.6psi)
I`d use a single 3/4" (or 1") pipe to feed a 3/4" (or 1") ring manifold at the top of the unit and then tap off the ring using tee`s to minimize the length of the 3/8" lines.

Excellent advice.

I'd want to use black hose and paint those boxes too. No use inviting algae.

Looks nice -------CB

[FDae]

hm, so basically the way ive got it setup is in a tricky spot. I didnt give much thought about it until I realized there is 7 long lines running down the side. hehe I medicated too much while building this mofo it seems.

I have a pump for my cloning box that is 520gph and says it has a max lift of 300cm... I wonder if I could get by using that one too. just switch the outlets (with a valve even) and have that pump feed the stalks too.

I can wrap the hose with something dark if I wanted to, do you think algae is going to form quickly? I pretty much want this unit to be self contained except for the manual spraying and changing of the water (and ofcourse ph testing)

but the ring manifold idea does sound alot better, I can just put a nozzle where I put holes in the ring and just have it fall down.

thanks, anything else to add, please do

[Me2]

You might get away with the 3m head pump it has 4.3psi vs 4.6psi
Its pretty tight, i`d use 1" tube for the upward feed pipe and the manifold ring to keep loss to a minimum.

damn! nice set up, looks good, cant wait to see some green in there.

[veggieeater]

1#whats that black stuff your usin for medium?
2#what are you feeding them with shrub sprinkers or what?
3#did you cement that it looks so clean i cant tell..

i have a lil crappy vert system for my peppers,

your setup looks awesomeeeeeeee..

(feed from the top buddy let gravity do its thing.)

[Carboy]

Originally Posted by FDae

hm, so basically the way ive got it setup is in a tricky spot. I didnt give much thought about it until I realized there is 7 long lines running down the side. hehe I medicated too much while building this mofo it seems.

I have a pump for my cloning box that is 520gph and says it has a max lift of 300cm... I wonder if I could get by using that one too. just switch the outlets (with a valve even) and have that pump feed the stalks too.
That pump info is pretty tricky. They give you the highest numbers that will possibly work. When it says something like a 6'3" max. head, you can bet your ass you won't get a drop of water at 6'4". And max flow is right out of the pump -- no lift, no restrictions. Use the #s as a guide. Try it and go from there.

I can wrap the hose with something dark if I wanted to, do you think algae is going to form quickly? I pretty much want this unit to be self contained except for the manual spraying and changing of the water (and ofcourse ph testing)
Yes the algae will form quick !! To save yourself alot of grief, replace w/ the black tube from the start. Have it where you can take it off easy and be able to pump a bleach solution/H202/physan solutions to clean. Or even better build 2. Change it out when you change rez and clean the other.

but the ring manifold idea does sound alot better, I can just put a nozzle where I put holes in the ring and just have it fall down.
There you go !! Just remember that nozzle is the heart of the whole deal -- it stops the patient dies. I don't mean to harp on one thing, but algae will clog the "artery" faster than anything. NO LIGHT ANYWHERE. Prevention will go a long way toward success.

thanks, anything else to add, please do

Basically what you are doing is a Vertical NFT. If the nozzles cause you too much grief, try 1/4" tubing off your manifold. By going from the top as Me2 suggested, you've got alot of options.

You are on the right track. Best of luck.

CB

[FDae]

thanks for the info you guys! love this place

so heres what im working with:
this pump says 300 cm lift, which is 118 inches!! my stalks, just measured to the top are 51" only. this pump is rated at 520gph. so im certain it will work well for doing what you have suggested. plumbing one feed line vertically to a ring manifold and have gravity do the work. it has either 1/2" or 3/4" ID output from the pump. I will use 3/4 and feed that upwards??

I will discard the food grade 3/8" vinyl tubing

the skeleton is made of ABS plastic, I knew about the algea issue so I wanted to make sure those tubes were dark, I didnt take into consideration that my pump isnt on 24/7 so therefore the light can start to grow some funky stuff in there. NOTED, its gone.

I currently do not know what im going to feed them with for a nozzle infact, I think I may build the ring manifold out of 3/4" pcv to the perfect size (octagon) of the stalks. I can then just drill a small hole and let water pressure do its thing.

from said "dripper hole" it will go into the top of each stalk. and in the top of each stalk will be like a cup. so picture a 2" cup with 8 holes drilled in it around the outside. this "cup" will act as a buffer/dripper and I will basically time each pump operation to fill the cup and stop, and once the cup is filled, the 8 small holes in the bottom of it will obviously allow the fluid to drip slower than the water pressure will probably allow, and it will just fall to the bottom through the three "homes", then simply back into the res

Yes the unit is glued and siliconed at every joint (wow that took a longggg time) but it will not leak 100% for sure, and its solid. only the stalks are removable.

how about the reservoir? paint it black? ok. how about its size? itll hold 26.5 liters according to the sticker on the side. the res looking thing behind the actual res (that the 2 drains go into) is just there to hold the rest of it up at the correct height. however, if you tell me to do so, I can connect both of those together to get another 11.3 liters total. the sizes were perfect, and ive even built the aeroponic clone box that fits perfectly inside it. I cant get a pic just yet

[Carboy]

Originally Posted by FDae

thanks for the info you guys! love this place

so heres what im working with:
this pump says 300 cm lift, which is 118 inches!! my stalks, just measured to the top are 51" only. this pump is rated at 520gph. so im certain it will work well for doing what you have suggested. plumbing one feed line vertically to a ring manifold and have gravity do the work. it has either 1/2" or 3/4" ID output from the pump. I will use 3/4 and feed that upwards?? Yep

I will discard the food grade 3/8" vinyl tubing Good deal

the skeleton is made of ABS plastic, I knew about the algea issue so I wanted to make sure those tubes were dark, I didnt take into consideration that my pump isnt on 24/7 so therefore the light can start to grow some funky stuff in there. NOTED, its gone.

I currently do not know what im going to feed them with for a nozzle infact, I think I may build the ring manifold out of 3/4" pcv to the perfect size (octagon) of the stalks. I can then just drill a small hole and let water pressure do its thing. Since you are only talking about 8, think about tapping in a fixture that you can adjust. here's an example of what I mean
https://www.idealtruevalue.com/servlet/the-12715/Detail
They also make them straight instead of a 90. Then you can control each as needed.

from said "dripper hole" it will go into the top of each stalk. and in the top of each stalk will be like a cup. so picture a 2" cup with 8 holes drilled in it around the outside. this "cup" will act as a buffer/dripper and I will basically time each pump operation to fill the cup and stop, and once the cup is filled, the 8 small holes in the bottom of it will obviously allow the fluid to drip slower than the water pressure will probably allow, and it will just fall to the bottom through the three "homes", then simply back into the res
Might work, but I'd want a little more control.

Yes the unit is glued and siliconed at every joint (wow that took a longggg time) but it will not leak 100% for sure, and its solid. only the stalks are removable.

how about the reservoir? paint it black? ok. Yes then paint over the black w/ white. Black stop lite. White reflect light. Consider painting your pipe white also. Black is too heat absorbing. how about its size? itll hold 26.5 liters according to the sticker on the side. the res looking thing behind the actual res (that the 2 drains go into) is just there to hold the rest of it up at the correct height. however, if you tell me to do so, I can connect both of those together to get another 11.3 liters total. Oh shit metric -- going to make my head hurt -- so 10 gallon. the sizes were perfect, and ive even built the aeroponic clone box that fits perfectly inside it. I cant get a pic just yet

Do you have or plan on getting a chiller?
Heat is going to be your biggest problem. 10 gallon isn't a big enough mass and is going to be hard to moderate your temp, i think. For sure, ask around and get more opinions, but I believe you going to want at least twice and maybe 3 times that size of a rez.

CB