Drip Irrigation Knowledge Wanted

Prestige · Jul 3, 2014

I am setting-up a drip system for DTW coco.

My plan is to use a central manifold with 1/2 in. lines, all equal length. I will try to avoid emitters as I hear they cause clogs.

Anyways, any and all advice, experience and information wanted, needed and appreciated.

Coir · Jul 3, 2014

I use individual drip emitters in a greenhouse for 1000+ plants and don't have clogging issues. If you run the correct mesh filter inline, they work just fine and keep the water flow and distribution equal between all the plants. Another option is to get the smallest(I can't remember the size off the top of my head) "spaghetti" tubing they make and simply punch a hole in the main line and press the tubing in. With the black poly line, if you use the correct punch, it seals around the spaghetti line with no leaks. You can also replace them easily if ever needed. There are several places online that have all the supplies you need. PM me if you need specific sites.

Prestige · Jul 3, 2014

Coir said:
I use individual drip emitters in a greenhouse for 1000+ plants and don't have clogging issues. If you run the correct mesh filter inline, they work just fine and keep the water flow and distribution equal between all the plants. Another option is to get the smallest(I can't remember the size off the top of my head) "spaghetti" tubing they make and simply punch a hole in the main line and press the tubing in. With the black poly line, if you use the correct punch, it seals around the spaghetti line with no leaks. You can also replace them easily if ever needed. There are several places online that have all the supplies you need. PM me if you need specific sites.

Really appreciate all the help and advice coir!

Seamaiden · Jul 3, 2014

@Coir -- are you familiar with drip tape, and if so, what's your preference? Tape or drip line? Right now we're on/using drip line, but I was looking at some material on the tape and I like that it uses very, very low water pressure. That would relieve the well a bit.

Coir · Jul 3, 2014

Seamaiden said:
@Coir -- are you familiar with drip tape, and if so, what's your preference? Tape or drip line? Right now we're on/using drip line, but I was looking at some material on the tape and I like that it uses very, very low water pressure. That would relieve the well a bit.

I haven't used the tape but have heard good things about it. The most crucial thing with it though is the filtration before anything goes into the tape. You can not replace individual emitters in the tape since they are built in. At least when a dripper clogs, you can cut it out and replace it!
Also, with organic nutrients, you are asking for trouble if you try and run them through the tape or emitter system! For fresh water, you are good to go.

Prestige · Jul 3, 2014

Can anyone recommend a good, reliable digital timer brand? For the pumps.

Also, how long shoul I be running the pumps for on a 100 gallon smart pot coco bed (10%-15% runoff)?

Prestige · Jul 3, 2014

Why is Coir not part of the Staff? Super helpful and knowledgable dude, just sayin.

Coir · Jul 3, 2014

Prestige said:
Can anyone recommend a good, reliable digital timer brand? For the pumps.

Also, how long shoul I be running the pumps for on a 100 gallon smart pot coco bed (10%-15% runoff)?

I use the second one up from the bottom of the page. It's mechanical but reliable. Mine is over 20 years old and still going! You can easily wire a receptacle to it to plug in a pump. Feeding times vary based on plant size, plant count, temperature, humidity, light cycle, etc so it will take you a while to figure out what you need for each stage but water until runoff with coco and don't let it dry out too much between cycles. Monitor the runoff for EC and you will know if you need to water more or less every day.

seaslug · Jul 3, 2014

I'm a fan of Tropf Blumat drippers with 100% coco in Smartpots. No pumps nor timers needed, just a platform for the reservoir. I hate the standard 8mm Blumat line, though--much happier with orange .224 silicon tubing.

seaslug · Jul 3, 2014

Veg room:

Ten gallon reservoir in adjoining alcove (electrical cord goes to small mag-drive recirculating pump that helps mix my solid nutes):

One gallon Smartpots:

Edit previous post: silicone tubing

Prestige · Jul 4, 2014

seaslug said:
Veg room:
View attachment 419869

Ten gallon reservoir in adjoining alcove (electrical cord goes to small mag-drive recirculating pump that helps mix my solid nutes):
View attachment 419868

One gallon Smartpots:
View attachment 419871

Edit previous post: silicone tubing

That looks pretty moist, do you keep it at that moisture the whole way thru? How is it working out for you?

Prestige · Jul 4, 2014

This is the first time I've ever actually seen them in use. Thanks for the post! What is that extra line coming off the blumats for?

Prestige · Jul 4, 2014

Okay, this is a really important question for me that I would really appreciate help on:

I'm going to be running one of those 13.5 square feet, 100 gal smart pot coco beds (seems like it will make life simpler). Anyways, I want to use a non-submersible pump as I hear that submersible pumps can heat the res up and possibly even leak oil and whatnot. I am already battling the heat as it is.

So, what pump would you guys recommend for this? A good, reliable non-submersible pump.

Prestige · Jul 4, 2014

Coir said:
I use the second one up from the bottom of the page. It's mechanical but reliable. Mine is over 20 years old and still going! You can easily wire a receptacle to it to plug in a pump. Feeding times vary based on plant size, plant count, temperature, humidity, light cycle, etc so it will take you a while to figure out what you need for each stage but water until runoff with coco and don't let it dry out too much between cycles. Monitor the runoff for EC and you will know if you need to water more or less every day.

I literally just ordered a timer from HydroFarm that is identical to that one lol

Prestige · Jul 4, 2014

Okay, also, it looks like these pumps are designed to connect garden hoses to. How do I go about connecting a garden hose to irrigation lines?

Prestige · Jul 4, 2014

I just wanted to say 'Thank You' to the people who have taken the time out of their lives to walk me thru all this, I really do appreciate it. You guys are what makes The Farm the best community/network to be apart of :)

seaslug · Jul 4, 2014

"Magdrive" type pumps have no oil, the motor is coupled to the impeller by magnetism. I have the smallest model (there are a number of nearly identical brands) and I do notice a couple degrees F temp rise if I leave it running.

seaslug · Jul 4, 2014

The veg room just got planted with a dozen Cantaloup Skunk (by ISP). This is an experiment, germinating the seeds right in the smartpots. Last grow from seed, I started in round 4" plastic pots and hand watered coco.

So anyway, I'm spraying the top of the coco every few hours right now. Once they get going, there will be a thin dry layer of coco on top and eventually a mound of root mass will grow up towards the drip.

I don't use the Blumat end fitting, instead I continue the line to a beige Blumat shutoff valve (shown in lower left corner). This lets me bleed the line very easily into a small bucket.

Prestige · Jul 4, 2014

Do you have those empty buckets there because the main line has to stay above the blumats?

Prestige · Jul 4, 2014

Does the magnet come in contact with the solution? Won't opposingly charged elements stick to the magnet, causing deficiencies? Like wouldn't iron stick to the magnets? And wouldn't that interfere with ppm readings? I just don't like the idea of magnets in my res.

Drip Irrigation Knowledge Wanted

Drip Irrigation Knowledge Wanted

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