Reservoir size related to anything ?

[stuartambient]

I'm working on constructing a home hydro system, ebb and flow design.

Is there a way of determining or some kind of established rule about how the size of the reservoir and the amount of plants ? I have an 18 gallon tote now and was thinking that might be about 9, from what I've seen seems right. Wanted to throw this out though. I just don't know enough. Reading, searching. By the way I'll be starting with lettuce, progressing though as I go.

TIA
Stuart

[Amigatec]

As a rule of thumb, I figure the size of my E&F tray and make the res 2 to 3 times larger. My E&F tray will hold about 5 gallons with the growrocks in it, my res is an 18 gallon tote. I add about 15 gallons of water to it.

[stuartambient]

Originally Posted by Amigatec

As a rule of thumb, I figure the size of my E&F tray and make the res 2 to 3 times larger. My E&F tray will hold about 5 gallons with the growrocks in it, my res is an 18 gallon tote. I add about 15 gallons of water to it.

Great , that helps. Thank you.

[Amigatec]

The idea is the bigger the res the more buffer you have.

[andreamore]

Great question and an equally great answer. I will now proceed to add more water! I just put in enough to make sure the pump wouldn't run dry, but you are right more is better.
Thanks to both of you!

[Amigatec]

As the plant uses nutes it may use more of one mineral and less of another so the more you have in the res the better you are.