Help design this new drip system

potpimp · #1 10-24-2007, 07:04 AM

I had an idea to use some 5" PVC fence posts to make a drip system. I bought all the necessary items I think I need. I haven't figured out how I'm going to do the rez tank (and barely anything else). I have vinyl glue to seal the end caps and one end can be cut off slightly to let the water out. I was thinking of maybe letting the water pour (drip) directly into the res tank or maybe into a feed trough that goes into it. I think hooking up a hose would have the water standing too long and it would be better if it were in the res tank where lots of air would be getting mixed in it. I'd want to keep the water from as much light exposure as possible. The drippers I have are 1/2 gal/hr, 1 and 2 ghp also but I don't know which ones would be best. The manifold has 6 nipples; the pump is 396gpm; the air pump is a dandy. The net pots are 3.5". I didn't show the hydroton rocks. Obviously the drip tubing is held in place with masking tape which is only used for illustration purposes.

I would love to hear any ideas any of you may have about the design. I'll post pix of the design when I decide how I'm going to make it - when I finish it.

Garden Knowm · #2 10-24-2007, 07:18 AM

keep us posted.. I am excited to see the finished product!!

cheers

dankie · #3 10-24-2007, 07:56 AM

I have found that the better end caps for the vynil posts are the ones that go into the post not over it, but looks like you are headed in the right direction.

potpimp · #4 10-25-2007, 06:46 AM

These were the only caps they had at HD. I've got vinyl glue but didn't put it in the pic. Anybody interested in giving a helping hand here? I think this should be an ebb and flow system if possible, although it could be a drip hydro or even an aeroponic possibly. Any takers?

potroast · #5 10-25-2007, 11:49 PM

Well, the one system you probably can't make is an ebb&flow, cause I don't know how you flood that tube. The fence posts are patterned after GH's AeroFlo system, which I call an enhanced NFT. There's lots of info about making these kinds of systems around, if you know what to look for. NFT is Nutrient Film Technique.

Rig it up with your drippers over each netpot (better two) and get it going. You can add to that, or make changes as you go.

HTH

potpimp · #6 10-26-2007, 06:22 AM

Yeah, I found the GH NFT system that you mentioned and got all excited that I must be onto something with this idea. I hadn't thought about using all 6 of the nipples but that would give me two drippers on each plant; great insurance if something plugs up. I still need to figure out the rest of the rig. I was thinking of maybe letting the tubes drain into one tube or something and that being slanted slightly to go into the res tank. I think I need to get some bulkhead fittings.

Tree?? · #7 10-27-2007, 05:25 PM

good idea...