Hi guys, thanks for dropping by and adding to the thread.

Green you must have the largest WF setup in history!! You GO with that stuff!! I have to say I have zero idea on the pump size and/or power.....the process is slow enough with two or three buckets not to mention all the ones you have.

I don't seem to need a chiller, thank goodness so can't help anyone with that q. And quite honestly....don't know what to tell you about the larger setup/pump size either.
BUT.....I do know who to ask who will know and I will ask them (mmy hydro guy who's a genius imo) and let you know what he says. There are several different things to accomplish by recirculating your system.......I do it mainly to keep ph in balance in all the buckets because as you know they're all different despite GH's claim that the central rez is all you need. Recirculating also can add extra O2 to your solution and keep it mixed together better as well.

You will get better flow and better recirculation I would think with a water pump as X-Crispi used to do with his. Imo, there seems to bea point where the air pump is too strong to pull the water through the pumping column and all you end up with is extra air instead of the "drip ring" effect you are looking for. However, others here have mentioned they moved to stronger air pumps (i use the teeny pump that came with the kit) and said they preferred it. I can't quite wrap my mind around how they are making it work....but they are and like it.

I will return later today with answer to green's question......hydro store not open yet.