Flow through wicking bed

[Kaduda]

Just been thinking about the topic of wicking beds and wondered if it would be possible to have a slotted pipe placed in the bottom of a grow bed which water could constantly flow through.

Because the pipe is slotted, it would allow the bottom of the grow bed to be filled with water.

On top of this would be the wicking media, perhaps some pea gravel and the plants.

Your thoughts?

[Crusty]

I see no issue though you may want to keep your media depth around 150mm to get the wicking action.

[GaryD]

Hi Kaduda,

Can you provide some more detail about your idea? What you've described sounds more like a sub-surface continuous flow system than a wicking bed. If so, the slotted pipe would be a hindrance rather than a benefit. In a sub-surface system, you are better off to have the water flow through the entire bed (rather than fast-tracking down a pipe) so that the formation of anaerobic pockets is minimised.

In a wicking bed, there is no water movement at all......and that doesn't matter because it is not connected to a fish tank.

Gary

[Kaduda]

Indeed it would be more like a sub-surface continuous flow system. Though I would have it setup to receive water from an overflow in my system and then have another overflow at the opposite end so water can be pumped back into my system. The idea would be to have the water flow though at a slower rate than the rest of the system.