RDWC Nutes advice

[krazykatz69]

OK guys setup is nearly complete only one problem to solve now - I am running an inline pump outside the res which is outside the tent to avid the water heating up too quickly however I have now tried two pumps and both of them have leaked. Both pumps are Aqua One 105.
It looks like the rubber O'ring seals just aren't doing the job. Will go back to the hydro shop again tomorrow and return this pump and I will have to look elsewhere to sort another brand of pump. Anyone had this kind of issue before and can maybe recommend another brand of pump?

I have to give OZ88 the credit for ideas with my setup I have slightly copied your design however have gone a waterfall style so that the pump is pumping water into the tubs rather than pulling it out into the res.

I have my seeds in containers in paper towel on a heat mat, hopefully they will sprout as they are about 5 years old.

 

[Billygoat]

Tidy set up.

You got a link to that inline pump?

 

[krazykatz69]

Tidy set up.

You got a link to that inline pump?

Aqua One Maxi 105 Powerhead 2200L/H

Aqua One Maxi 105 Powerhead 2200L/H Aqua One Maxi 105 Powerhead are quiet and efficient water pumps for your freshwater or saltwater aquarium. Completely submersible Quiet and efficient 1.8m cable 240V / 50Hz 2 + 1 year guarantee Aqua One Part Number - 11325 Mode

www.aquariumkingdom.com.au

Thanks mate

Can be used inline or submersible.

 

[Billygoat]

wow. I have never considered one of those pumps as a non-submersible pump...

Just put it in the rez?

 

[krazykatz69]

wow. I have never considered one of those pumps as a non-submersible pump...

Just put it in the rez?

Nah I want to do my best to keep water temps down - see if I can get away without having to buy a chiller - I think my wife might lose her shit if I fork out another $600 for the chiller!!!

 

[puggle6]

That pump is submersible only

 

[krazykatz69]

That pump is submersible only

I guess that is why it is leaking!!! LOL
The shop that I bought it from had a 106 running outside the res.

 

[puggle6]

I guess that is why it is leaking!!! LOL
The shop that I bought it from had a 106 running outside the res.

the pickup point on that pump is an open impeller it can't pickup and move any water if it is not submerged

 

[krazykatz69]

the pickup point on that pump is an open impeller it can't pickup and move any water if it is not submerged

Nah, it can be setup inline - see attached photo. Unfortunately the o'ring seals just couldn't handle the pressure.

 

[Red Eye Hero]

Nah I want to do my best to keep water temps down - see if I can get away without having to buy a chiller - I think my wife might lose her shit if I fork out another $600 for the chiller!!!

My system ran three days without water chiller and temps got to 21° anything over that produces root rot your going to need to buy one lol

 

[Deleted member cpr]

You might want to employ some other tricks if you're running without a chiller. Not sure how successful it would be but maybe some beneficials. Or the complete opposite, frequent small doses of pythoff, peroxide or some other sanitizer? Just thoughts.

 

[Madmick]

the warmer the water the less oxygen it holds , bacteria can multiply faster
You will need a way to keep water temps consistent around 19c

 

[Gazza]

I’ve been running mine without a chiller the complete opposite need heaters to keep res temps up, I’ll be putting the bucket away after this grow. Back to soil we go.

 

[krazykatz69]

Just a quick update, I bought a new pump wet/dry pump it still leaked a little bit but I put a bit of teflon tape around the o'ring seal and that did the trick. I have also been working on automation for the temp - Fan / Pump / Light. I have also added flood detection and a temp, humidity, pressure sensor and a temp sensor for the res. Part of it is arduino and part TPlink smart switches which all go back to the Home Assistant front end. I will now try to work out how to get some sripts happening to help control temperature and turn the pump off in the event of a flood. I will eventually add PH / EC monitoring and then hopefully control of PH and EC automatically.

Here are a couple of pics for now.

 

[krazykatz69]

Forgot to mention not having the best of luck with the 5 year old seeds that I got from my mate, only one has sprouted so far!

 

[thecannakid]

cool. gonna add a light sensor nd smart lights?

 

[Tunkers]

Jesus, there's a project to fill ya time. Nice work mate

 

[Kloud9]

Just a quick update, I bought a new pump wet/dry pump it still leaked a little bit but I put a bit of teflon tape around the o'ring seal and that did the trick. I have also been working on automation for the temp - Fan / Pump / Light. I have also added flood detection and a temp, humidity, pressure sensor and a temp sensor for the res. Part of it is arduino and part TPlink smart switches which all go back to the Home Assistant front end. I will now try to work out how to get some sripts happening to help control temperature and turn the pump off in the event of a flood. I will eventually add PH / EC monitoring and then hopefully control of PH and EC automatically.

Here are a couple of pics for now.

View attachment 6216

View attachment 6217

View attachment 6218

What is this system, Build on ? E.g. hardware and software used? Nice set up

 

[krazykatz69]

cool. gonna add a light sensor nd smart lights?

Don't think I will add a light sensor but may add a dimmer to my SF4000 which I can control remotely.

 

[krazykatz69]

What is this system, Build on ? E.g. hardware and software used? Nice set up

I'm running Home Assistant as the front end. It is a open source home automation project.
My temp/pressure/humidity sensor is a BME280, my res sensor is a Dallas DS18B20 sensor and the flood sensor is a capacitive soil moisture sensor. They are all connected to a NodeMCU ESP8266. The exhaust fan, intake fan, light and water pump are all run from TP link smart switches. I got my inspiration from the LED gardener - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrXV026HnrWO7gPWWmQAq1g and still have a long way to go to get everything where I want it.

Hope that helps