Irrigation Hydraulic issues

[SoMEG]

I'm trying to automate my flower room. I have 18 plants in 7 gal coco pots. I purchased 9" Hydro Hat drippers, one for each plant.
I have a 55 gal reservoir with a 1000gph pump pushing the water through 5/8" ID hose. from the pump it splits into a closed loop. I have reducers going from the 5/8" main loop to 1/2" whips that then split with a 4 way into the 1/2" rain rings. So, 6 tables, each with three plants on it.
The problem is that I'm not getting a remotely even flow to each plant. All of the whips and lines to the drippers are the same length and relatively sitting at the same height trying to avoid any slack in the lines. I figured the 1000gph pump would be more than enough to charge the line quickly and create an even flow to each plant, but after several attempts it is extremely inconsistent.
Am I missing something here? I'm about ready to throw a plant across the room!!

 

[JohnDee]

SoMeg,
I feel your pain. I handbuilt an 8 pot dripper system and it nearly drove me crazy. No more DIY for me.

That pump seems way overkill for what you're doing...not that that would change anything regarding uniformity.

Couldn't you simply drill a few more (or larger) holes in the drip ring...on those that are running slow?
JD

 

[SoMEG]

SoMeg,
I feel your pain. I handbuilt an 8 pot dripper system and it nearly drove me crazy. No more DIY for me.

That pump seems way overkill for what you're doing...not that that would change anything regarding uniformity.

Couldn't you simply drill a few more (or larger) holes in the drip ring...on those that are running slow?
JD

Upon further reading, the pump, although large, has a lower PSI, around 4.7. I think I need a higher PSI pump because there are TOO MANY holes in the rain rings, not allowing it to create even back pressure.
I'm going to try a 15 PSI pump to see if it will charge the line faster and more equal.

 

[JohnDee]

SoMeg,
You're just talking a DTW coco auto watering system...not some high pressure NFT or something. Just seems like it should be easier. Maybe if you posted some photos so we could see what you're facing.
JD

 

[JohnDee]

Maybe something like this would help...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004RUJ2OE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[rkymtnman]

3 of these, 3 way smaller pumps, 3 timers=18 plants.

 

[SoMEG]

SoMeg,
You're just talking a DTW coco auto watering system...not some high pressure NFT or something. Just seems like it should be easier. Maybe if you posted some photos so we could see what you're facing.
JD

I agree! It should be easier!
Yes, just a coco DTW system.

 

[SoMEG]

3 of these, 3 way smaller pumps, 3 timers=18 plants.

Do these require a certain pressure before they delegate the flow to the plant?

 

[rkymtnman]

Do these require a certain pressure before they delegate the flow to the plant?

i have one of those on a pump (i'll go look at the specs) that feeds 2 GH waterfarms in a auto-feed, dtw setup that works flawlessly. 2 silicone airlines per waterfarm, 2 not turned on. set the timer to get as much run-off as needed and done.

same setup was used in coco dtw, then hempy buckets dtw and now waterfarms dtw.

 

[SoMEG]

Do these require a certain pressure before they delegate the flow to the plant?

Just saw that they are adjustable...we need a 1/2” outlet

 

[rkymtnman]

eco 396 gph pump. and a 5" 1/2" riser to mount the manifold to the pump

 

[SoMEG]

i have one of those on a pump (i'll go look at the specs) that feeds 2 GH waterfarms in a auto-feed, dtw setup that works flawlessly. 2 silicone airlines per waterfarm, 2 not turned on. set the timer to get as much run-off as needed and done.

same setup was used in coco dtw, then hempy buckets dtw and now waterfarms dtw.

What are you using for emitters? Or, is this just to fill the reservoirs for the two waterfarms?

 

[rkymtnman]

What are you using for emitters? Or, is this just to fill the reservoirs for the two waterfarms?

my top secret invention: a 5/8 or 1/2 nut on the end of the airline tubing, then a plastic tee to keep the nut from escaping. now you have a weighted emitter that won't move once in place. won't clog either.

 

[JohnDee]

same setup was used in coco dtw, then hempy buckets dtw and now waterfarms dtw.

rky...I'm hoping SoNeg won't mind asking you a question. It is related. Just curious why and how you chose to do that with waterfarm. I feel the air powered riser that drives the nutrient pump is what gives them such good growth...a sort of hyper aeration...yet you disabled that? Very curious.
JD

 

[rkymtnman]

rky...I'm hoping SoNeg won't mind asking you a question. It is related. Just curious why and how you chose to do that with waterfarm. I feel the air powered riser that drives the nutrient pump is what gives them such good growth...a sort of hyper aeration...yet you disabled that? Very curious.
JD

i'll keep it simple:

i didn't disable anything on the waterfarms. i did add an airstone in the lower res and use a 2 outlet airpump for each farm: one for the airstone when the roots hit the lower res and the other to run the waterfarm as it was intended 24/7

on the side of the waterfarm, i cut the blue tubing about an inch above the white line. that becomes the drain. my water pump runs for 8 minutes each day which gives me about a minute or more of runoff out of the blue tube.

shoot me a PM if that doesn't make sense and i'll explain further.

i can go away for 2 weeks and not worry which was my goal.

 

[JohnDee]

i can go away for 2 weeks and not worry which was my goal.

Thanks man...cool idea. An auto fill plus a little flush. Solves the occasional ppm rising issue.

OK SoMeg...back to you.
JD

 

[rkymtnman]

Thanks man...cool idea. An auto fill plus a little flush. Solves the occasional ppm rising issue.

OK SoMeg...back to you.
JD

yep, exactly. and it keeps the nutes balanced too.

it took a bit to figure out my timer "on" time. and not all nutes are stable for a week or more especially with some additives.

 

[JohnDee]

Rky,
I was thinking about the waterfarm system control unit...but that wouldn't do anything but autofill. Just setting up a new room and I love the growth (and growth rate) I get with waterfarms. And I'd rather not have to tend them individually. I rarely mix strains so your mod would work perfectly. Is there a thread available with your op?
JD

 

[hotrodharley]

Upon further reading, the pump, although large, has a lower PSI, around 4.7. I think I need a higher PSI pump because there are TOO MANY holes in the rain rings, not allowing it to create even back pressure.
I'm going to try a 15 PSI pump to see if it will charge the line faster and more equal.

If your main feed line resembles the symbol for "female" it will never deliver even pressures at all outlets. As air or fluid move through a pipe they lose pressure against the walls. Everything from the manifold on has to be equal length.

 

[SoMEG]

If your main feed line resembles the symbol for "female" it will never deliver even pressures at all outlets. As air or fluid move through a pipe they lose pressure against the walls. Everything from the manifold on has to be equal length.

The main feeder line is a closed loop, then there are 6 lateral lines, or whips, diverted water to the plants. Everything is even lengths and relatively equal heights.