Round Vs Square Buckets in R-DWC ADVANCED

[ml2242]

Hey folks,
So to start I've tried researching this topic everywhere and have only seen one thing on it. So the situation:
4x 5 gallon circular buckets in a fully recirculating R-DWC drip system with 1'' return lines and 1/2 feed lines on a 350 GPH submersible pump
all contained in a 3x3x6.5 enclosure.

So my question is: Is there any real advantage to using square buckets OTHER than to maximize space utilization? In my situation space is NOT a concern and I already own like 10x 5 gallon buckets. What my plant and soil science prof told me is that in circular buckets with actively moving water you can run into the issue of roots essentially "strangling" themselves causing them to die due to being cut off from the main root stem. Whats the truth to this?? I know that making the drain have an outlet at each opposite side of the bucket may reduce this "spin" effect of the circulating water... but if there's a serious upside to using square buckets... I'm willing to spend the 30$ to switch to square from circular. Also most of the professional botanists doing R-DWC on IC mag and such are ALL using square buckets...

Anyone have a concrete response to this?? :wtf:

[ml2242]

353 Views and 0 Replies.... Hmm... I think it might be time for a more "scientifically motivated" forum... :wtf:

[LOC NAR on probation]

How does a recirculating DRIP system create a vortex that strong to drain ?

That is about the only system I have not used yet. But how can it be worse than flood and drian in causing a vortex to strangle roots. Have you seen what goes on in aeroponics. The roots are blasted most of the time.

I would have to see the system empty with no rocks and watch the water flow without obstruction. I just don't think that water dripping from above is moving in volume enough to cause a drain vortex strong enough to do damage.

[ml2242]

How does a recirculating DRIP system create a vortex that strong to drain ?

That is about the only system I have not used yet. But how can it be worse than flood and drain in causing a vortex to strangle roots. Have you seen what goes on in aeroponics. The roots are blasted most of the time.

I would have to see the system empty with no rocks and watch the water flow without obstruction. I just don't think that water dripping from above is moving in volume enough to cause a drain vortex strong enough to do damage.
Not too sure you're quite getting it YET... the drip lines are 1/2" poly irrigation tubing which is not your classic drip in fact this will not drip at all it will flow at a relatively quick rate with 350 GPH / 4 = ~88 GPH through ~4 feet of tubing the each single bucket and you got a serious flow...

[WonderBoy]

Well if you'd like some input from the creator of the bubbler...

The original set up goes like this...You use rock wool cubes, place strawberry crates on the bottom of tub, to prop the rock wool cube up higher. One air line (no stone) goes directly under strawberry crate, another air line (no stone) is on the outside of the strawberry crate...water turbulance oxygenates the water.

Although the Cannabis Bible doesn't acredit the bubbler to anyone. All the old timers know it was
Bill Wonder that introduced it at cannabis culture at the begining of the decade.

[LOC NAR on probation]

Ok, with 1/2 flow lines I get it ?
I would try it both ways. Get half square and do a test. It may help alot understand what it does or doesn't do. Or just keep one round to see if you can get them to strangle.

[Smallville]

Square or round? it's easier to connect hoses through flat walls vs curved walls.
No other major differences.