Need some advice on drip irrigation

[thehighguy]

Hi,
I want to switch from soil to coco and run a drip system. Any information would help. Im having trouble finding a good timer/pump, and good drip nozzles. The rest I can source locally to complete my redneck rig.

Will I need to prewash/ buffer my coco/perlite? I usually use organics so im familiar with the process of cooking soil, but I have no experience with coco.

Finally can I run salt solutions or will she clog up? I have my eyes on mega crop for feeding but im open to suggestions.

From what iv read on drip rates its a tinkering process, but drip frequency seems less black and white. What are the advantages/disadvantages of 6-12 small feedings vs 2-6 large feedings.

Thanks for your time and help!!! Sorry in advance im going to ask a lot of questions.

 

[SpiderFarmerLED]

Hi,
I want to switch from soil to coco and run a drip system. Any information would help. Im having trouble finding a good timer/pump, and good drip nozzles. The rest I can source locally to complete my redneck rig.

Will I need to prewash/ buffer my coco/perlite? I usually use organics so im familiar with the process of cooking soil, but I have no experience with coco.

Finally can I run salt solutions or will she clog up? I have my eyes on mega crop for feeding but im open to suggestions.

From what iv read on drip rates its a tinkering process, but drip frequency seems less black and white. What are the advantages/disadvantages of 6-12 small feedings vs 2-6 large feedings.

Thanks for your time and help!!! Sorry in advance im going to ask a lot of questions.

Switching to coco and a drip system is a great step! Yes, you will need to prewash and buffer your coco/perlite to remove salts and prepare the medium for nutrient uptake. A simple rinse and soaking in a Cal-Mag solution will do the trick.

For the timer and pump, ensure you select a system that gives precise control over flow and duration. As for drip nozzles, look for adjustable ones that can be fine-tuned to match your desired watering schedule.

Salt solutions can work well, but it's important to flush the system periodically to prevent buildup and clogging.

Regarding feeding frequency, smaller, more frequent feedings (6-12 times) help keep the medium evenly moist, while fewer, larger feedings (2-6 times) may be easier to manage but could cause fluctuations in moisture and nutrients. It really depends on your plant’s growth stage and needs. Don't hesitate to ask more questions!

 

[thehighguy]

Switching to coco and a drip system is a great step! Yes, you will need to prewash and buffer your coco/perlite to remove salts and prepare the medium for nutrient uptake. A simple rinse and soaking in a Cal-Mag solution will do the trick.

For the timer and pump, ensure you select a system that gives precise control over flow and duration. As for drip nozzles, look for adjustable ones that can be fine-tuned to match your desired watering schedule.

Salt solutions can work well, but it's important to flush the system periodically to prevent buildup and clogging.

Regarding feeding frequency, smaller, more frequent feedings (6-12 times) help keep the medium evenly moist, while fewer, larger feedings (2-6 times) may be easier to manage but could cause fluctuations in moisture and nutrients. It really depends on your plant’s growth stage and needs. Don't hesitate to ask more questions!

Thank you for the info!

When you soak In cal-mag what kind of dosage do you use? Just the regular recommended dose?

Do you have a pefered manufacturer for equipment?

I'm planning on a weekly flush, could that look like one day of PH water through the system with higher rates, or should I flush the system independently with r.o water to prevent salt deposits.

Thanks Again!

 

[thehighguy]

Thank you for the info!

When you soak In cal-mag what kind of dosage do you use? Just the regular recommended dose?

Do you have a pefered manufacturer for equipment?

I'm planning on a weekly flush, could that look like one day of PH water through the system with higher rates, or should I flush the system independently with r.o water to prevent salt deposits.

Thanks Again!

If anyone is interested the best kits I could find online are made by the bucket company. Prices are a bit higher then I would have liked, but I got a 12 pot system irrigation system, including a runoff line and waste reservoir/waste pump for 560 cad. I will let you guys know how it works!

 

[mancorn]

I’ve used dripdepot (for outdoor stuff). Not weed specific, but good pricing and cheap shipping (which is nice if you just want to pick up some emitters or other small/chesp items.)

 

[Trash_2002]

if you want absolutely even watering, get a 60psi pump (1/2 hp equivalent pump), proper fittings, netafim netbows and 8L/h+ pressure compensated drippers for each netbow.
Also a rainbird 30PSI pressure reducer and 120 microns filters for each sector/tent being irrigated. this way your main lines will run at 60psi and the sectors will run at 30PSI and you will get perfectly even distribution. Floraflex white tubbing and punchers are pretty good stuff.

be prepared to make a deep clean of the system every cycle to prevent salt build up and biofilm/algae forming.

 

[thehighguy]

if you want absolutely even watering, get a 60psi pump (1/2 hp equivalent pump), proper fittings, netafim netbows and 8L/h+ pressure compensated drippers for each netbow.
Also a rainbird 30PSI pressure reducer and 120 microns filters for each sector/tent being irrigated. this way your main lines will run at 60psi and the sectors will run at 30PSI and you will get perfectly even distribution. Floraflex white tubbing and punchers are pretty good stuff.

be prepared to make a deep clean of the system every cycle to prevent salt build up and biofilm/algae forming.

Your essentially running a higher pressure distribution, and dropping the pressure at the manifolds? I got valves to try and compensate for pressure drops but now I'm second guessing my decision.

While I got your attention, how frequently do you flush your lines? Would you recommend flushing every 2-4 weeks with a water/emzyme solution to prevent build up?

I'm planning one water day a week for the plants with 5-10% run off to prevent salt accumulation in the pots. Is that nessecary as well? Or can I stretch that flush period out to every second week?

Finally if I reclaim runoff can I filter it and recirc it into the feed reservoir? Would that sacrilege or can it be done to reclaim salts?

 

[thehighguy]

I’ve used dripdepot (for outdoor stuff). Not weed specific, but good pricing and cheap shipping (which is nice if you just want to pick up some emitters or other small/chesp items.)

I will check it out! I already ordered what I need, but I will keep it in mind for future projects. I don't really care if it's weed specific, if it's made for plants it should work! Thanks for your reply.
Cheers

 

[Trash_2002]

Your essentially running a higher pressure distribution, and dropping the pressure at the manifolds? I got valves to try and compensate for pressure drops but now I'm second guessing my decision.

While I got your attention, how frequently do you flush your lines? Would you recommend flushing every 2-4 weeks with a water/emzyme solution to prevent build up?

I'm planning one water day a week for the plants with 5-10% run off to prevent salt accumulation in the pots. Is that nessecary as well? Or can I stretch that flush period out to every second week?

Finally if I reclaim runoff can I filter it and recirc it into the feed reservoir? Would that sacrilege or can it be done to reclaim salts?

yep higher pressure mainline and reducing with proper pressure reducer per sector/tent. this is the best way to go. Double filtration with proper 120microns irrigation disc filters are a good thing, one filter on the mainline after the pump output, and another filter before each sector being irrigated. you can get away with only the pump out filter tho. Open and clean them after every cycle too tho. (after the deep clean)

im not a fan of reusing runoff water tho i prefer drain to waste, run off from 5-20% with every watering (i prefer the higher end), you should implement a enzyme/drip clean in the reservoir for sure. After every cycle do a deep clean with bleach fill the lines let the lines soak for 24hours rinse with plenty clean water , deep clean again with phosphoric acid at ph ~2 fill the lines let it in the lines for 24h rinse until your ec and ph is as your clean water source.