Draining of the res

**Petch** · 27-07-12, 02:14 PM

How do you hydro guys with big resevoirs empty them? I run a hose to fill it (new to Hydro) but not sure on the best way to empty the res....think i will change it every two weeks

Anyone? how do you drain your res?

**liamstrongbow** · 27-07-12, 02:41 PM

I wud like to no this as well,as iam going in to hydo soon

**S0LI** · 27-07-12, 07:39 PM

Look at the water level pipes that you get on water/Aqua farms and copy that or stick a plug in the bottom of you res or you could pump it out, i know some people use drill powered pumps that are pretty handy.

**wah wah** · 27-07-12, 08:35 PM

...depends how big your rez is...used to use 100ltr nft..never changed the rez out, just topped up,

now use waterfarms..i change every 3-4 days in veg..and 2-3 days in flower.

**meercat.com** · 27-07-12, 11:53 PM

i just use a spare pump with a cupple meter hose send it into a 25 liter tub and refill. i used to put a plug at bottom too till i forgot to push it right in and got a nice bit on floor livr n learn tho .

**Rory Breaker** · 28-07-12, 03:07 PM

i have a 5,000L water pump running my system, when i want to drain it i just connect some pond hose to it and straight into the bath.. takes a few mins to do 160L

**ChuChu** · 28-07-12, 03:25 PM

I have a 200L res and use a MJ750 pump with a pipe coming up to a t piece with 2 taps..
It is on constant as a circulation pump and then i switch the taps and it drains down the bog..
To make sure everything is out i just run the hose when its down to the bottom dregs while draining for a few mins..
Simples..

Peace..

**Petch** · 28-07-12, 05:59 PM

Thanks for the replies, but i do have another question:

I'm using a flood and drain set up, going live tonight, finally....do you use anything to aerate the tank? (res).. I was thinking of buying a cheap aqua pump for aeration, can you get away with using nothing, or something else? I will be flooding three times a light cycle and will be putting some h202 in which i hear helps.

**Murdock** · 28-07-12, 06:17 PM

instead of pumping water into your system get a hose and pump it into your sink with a hose pipe , simple

**ChuChu** · 28-07-12, 06:39 PM

What system are you using mate.?
If its like a multiflow or iws (recirculating systems) then you need to use benifical bacteria..
I used to use cannazym and rhizotonic and if you decide to use h202 then it will kill off all the good stuff..
Its mainly used to sort out any issues that occur and steralises the entire system..
And yes you will need an air pump for the res..

Are you doing a diary.?
It will be better for if you run into any problems and makes it easier for people to help..

All the best with it..
Peace..

**Alzy** · 28-07-12, 07:12 PM

So do you have to completely drain the res or can you leave a certain amount in that will be diluted easily?

**Petch** · 28-07-12, 07:19 PM

Originally Posted by ChuChu

What system are you using mate.?
If its like a multiflow or iws (recirculating systems) then you need to use benifical bacteria..
I used to use cannazym and rhizotonic and if you decide to use h202 then it will kill off all the good stuff..
Its mainly used to sort out any issues that occur and steralises the entire system..
And yes you will need an air pump for the res..

Are you doing a diary.?
It will be better for if you run into any problems and makes it easier for people to help..

All the best with it..
Peace..

I'm using an old style flood and drain tray system, 100 litre res with individual pots full of hydroton pebbles.

I will consider a diary, but will need to borrow a camara, as diaries are crap without pics.

**ChuChu** · 28-07-12, 07:22 PM

Depends Alzy..
A few peeps said they have never drained it, just topped up..
But in veg they dont drink too much so its best (imo) to leave it no longer than 2 weeks max..
In flower they can drink about 50L a day, depends how many you got and how big they are, so then you can just top up..

When i drained my 200Ltr res, i got it to the bottom of the res (top of the pump) then ran the hose for about 10/15 mins while it was still draning..
Get you back to your base ec then.. Oh and i gave it a scrub while it going..

**ChuChu** · 28-07-12, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by Petch

I'm using an old style flood and drain tray system, 100 litre res with individual pots full of hydroton pebbles.

I will consider a diary, but will need to borrow a camara, as diaries are crap without pics.

Nice mate, sounds interesting..
Like me if you do a diary..

**Alzy** · 28-07-12, 07:40 PM

I using a modded WILMA BIG4. 50L res. MJ500 and a hailea9610 10Lper min.

Just inquiring cause I intend to fill the res with roots so removing the top tray will be impossible.

**Diddydon** · 28-07-12, 08:16 PM

In my Iws flood n drain i used to have a cheap 20quid 2000lph water pump with the suckers on the bottom, stuck to the bottom of my res.. the flooming of the water is enough to give all the dissolved oxygen u need.. u can also stick an airstone in the for extra effect, but not need really.. as long as the pump is stron enough to floom (just slightly break the surface of the water) that is fine... The plus side of this is when u want to empty ur res.. u just reach in and stick a hose on the pump outlet and bobs ur uncle, fannys ur aunt!.. i would advise turning ur water pump off at the mains b4 u stick ur arm in tho.. as they can sometimes leak electricity into ur res.. ur plants will like it.. u arm won´t.. lol

**ChuChu** · 28-07-12, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by Diddydon

In my Iws flood n drain i used to have a cheap 20quid 2000lph water pump with the suckers on the bottom, stuck to the bottom of my res.. the flooming of the water is enough to give all the dissolved oxygen u need.. u can also stick an airstone in the for extra effect, but not need really.. as long as the pump is stron enough to floom (just slightly break the surface of the water) that is fine... The plus side of this is when u want to empty ur res.. u just reach in and stick a hose on the pump outlet and bobs ur uncle, fannys ur aunt!.. i would advise turning ur water pump off at the mains b4 u stick ur arm in tho.. as they can sometimes leak electricity into ur res.. ur plants will like it.. u arm won´t.. lol

I didnt know you are a fellow f&d user Diddy..

How often do you flood and clean out the res.?

**Diddydon** · 28-07-12, 08:44 PM

i no longer use mine chu chu m8.. i sold it on ebay.. lol.. i used to clean out every 2 weeks... i had blockages a couple of time with roots.. so i got the hump and built the urdwc with 4" pipe.. so it can´t block.. a bit OTT maybe.. but she is comin on fine.. + i wanted to cut down on the plant numbers in case plod come knocking.. i´d rather 4 monster trees these days..