Bubbleponics -- Question on mandril use.

[Panos]

Hi All,

I am in the process of putting together a DWC Hydroponics setup as described in: Top-Fed DWC Cannabis Setup Guide - Bubbleponics | Grow Weed Easy.
But I have some questions about the manifold:
#1 The diagram shows the manifold as placed above the water in the tank.
Is this a must or does it make no difference even if it is submerged?
#2 The site says: Turn the valves to 'on' and shows a picture.
But these valves are variable from off to on with intermediate settings.
[Picture shows the valve turned to full on.] So:
a. Turn full on at start and leave it like that?
b. Use a lower setting? and leave it?
c. Vary the settings throughout the grow?
d. Continue dripping water even when the roots have spread a lot?
Multiple questions but I hope there is some common correct one.

Thanks in advance for any input.

[IanHale]

By mandril I'm assuming drip-manifold from your water pump to your net pots.

mine are inside the resevoir.

i have the valves to full open and I'm using a 400gph pump.

it is my belief the leaving them on even after the root mass has reached the water line as it provides nutrients to all the roots and helps keep them oxygenated and prevents root rot.

[Panos]

Yes I mean the drip manifold. Sorry for the misnomer.
OK, so I guess it makes no difference if the manifold is immersed or not.
Oh, will be using the 158gph pump recommended by the site.
Is the gph an important factor?
Thanks for the info

[IanHale]

The cost difference between the 158gph and 400 we negligible from where I got them. I went with the bigger pump so I can try a sea of green with 5 plants per resevoir and not run into any underflow isssues.

Plus the flow rate is adjustable at the pump if I need to tone it down.

I did a lot of research before I started my grow. This being my first hydro grow.

http://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum/growing-community/112044-after-many-delays-the-plant-babies

That's sorta my grow journal. My plants just hit two weeks from seed. I haven't taken this evenings pictures yet.

We are all learning together...some have more knowledge than others, we share, we learn, we grow

[gbauto]

I started with a setup that used alot of the components listed. The drip manifold had constant issues with maintaining flow settings. I ended up using this instead-
It really doesn't matter if the manifold is submerged. Growing with this type of system is about keeping the root mass saturated with aerated solution. Part of the learning curve is making sure that the dripper lines are pointed in the right direction. I ended up just using a central pipe w/ 1/8" barb nipples that feed unrestricted into my buckets. gravity drains back to a central rez. Make sure that you get enough aeration so that it keeps the solution mixed.

[Panos]

Thanks for the info. I'm a bit puzzled as to how you determined that your drip manifold was not maintaining flow settings. Could you please provide more details.
This is my first grow and I'm a complete rookie.