I was told the feed hose should be a smaller diameter than the drain hose.

1/2" flexible tubing connected to the bottom of each bucket for draining. Already in place.

The stand alone res of the waterfarm has a 1/2" hole at the bottom. I am going to put a water pump inside to push the water out. Then use a diameter changing adapter on the outside and either flexible 1/4" or 3/8" for a feed tube. I'm going to drill a hole 2/3 of the way up on each lower bucket for the feed line. Not done yet.

The 8 gallon res is ~12" in height, the seperate 13 gallon controller which goes on top of the res is ~18" in height. (the float in the res will not be needed)
How can I get the water to get back up into the 2 1/2 foot high controller? I can't see the water pump being strong enough to push water through the feed lines into the 4 buckets and then somehow having enough pressure to force the water through the drain lines up 2 1/2 feet.

The easy way is to use just the 13 gallon container as the main res, raise the 4 waterfarms to 2 feet in height and let gravity drain it. I'd rather have the 21 gallons though. Do I need the 21 gallons or is 13 enough?
PigSnout Reviewed by PigSnout on . How to recirculate a 4 bucket waterfarm system with a res and controller? I was told the feed hose should be a smaller diameter than the drain hose. 1/2" flexible tubing connected to the bottom of each bucket for draining. Already in place. The stand alone res of the waterfarm has a 1/2" hole at the bottom. I am going to put a water pump inside to push the water out. Then use a diameter changing adapter on the outside and either flexible 1/4" or 3/8" for a feed tube. I'm going to drill a hole 2/3 of the way up on each lower bucket for the feed line. Not done Rating: 5