Dtw drip irrigation problem

I'm at my wit's end someone please help! I've tried quite a few grow styles in my time started hydro did a bit of soil and I've turned to coco. I like my results with last time but as it just became legal in my state I want to learn to do bigger setups. Anyways I've tried all different types of 1/2 to 1/4 inch tubing to feed the babies. Problem being if you just use the old school hydro drippers with no emitters or anything on even watering and quite a bit of waste. Problem with flag emitters they clog up too easy and you can have serious problems in a day or two tops with fully rooted plants. Have strong pumps for the number of plants and size but even with 16 plants with two gph drip emitters uneven clogging all sorts of issues just anybody have insight on even watering for drain waste coco set up that is more than just a few plants. Looking to scale this as I really enjoy Coco but it's making me shake my head and wish I just went back to Rockwool and hydroton. Try to bigger pump at 1200 GPH that still didn't do it then I try to sprinkler pump and that was way too strong literally would blow my lines out and she water everywhere so not really an option. I'm damn handy so normally the stuff isn't a problem but after scrolling countless hours and forums talking with different people I really don't know where to turn somebody please help

I use pressure compensating drip emitters, and they don't clog. I use 4 pet pot, so if they do clog, I'd be ok anyway. I replace them every few cycles, or soak them.

Thanks for response and sorry about kinda wierd post. I was drunk and didn't proof read lol. I've got 2gph drip emitters but even so with 32 of them in 16 pots and a 890gph pump and only 7 ft of 1/2 line still not dripping consistent. Do you use the self cleaning emitters. I didn't realize difference when I bought flag emitters. If you've had good luck with those maybe I'll buy some and give that a go

I don't use flags, just drippers, not self-cleaning just the cheap rain-bird pressure-compensating ones from the hardware store. I think I'm using 1gph emitters right now. I also only use 1/4" line all the way around, and my pump is like 1/3 the size of yours.

Some nutrients will clog things up almost overnight while some will never cause issues. You don't say what you're using but something to think about.

xtsho said:

Some nutrients will clog things up almost overnight while some will never cause issues. You don't say what you're using but something to think about.

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Good point, and that's one of the reasons that I use the specific kelp product that I do. I've had other kelp products settle out with particulates, but not this stuff:

I've been using Floraflex round caps with 1/4" tubing, open ended, in a T shape like PJ's picture. No issue with clogging or uneven watering.
When I used blumats with nutrients, I would always use drip clean to keep them from clogging.

Using advanced Coco line. I found a pressure regulator on Amazon for $25 I think I'm gonna use sprinkler pump and tone down psi and switch the flag emitter for the type you had. Thanks for recommending. I'll let you guys know how I made out in a few days

I never use anything with organic materials in my drip lines. If you do they will clog and give uneven watering. If you are getting too much run off I would suggest getting a timer that can turn your pump on in 10-15 second intervals. My pump turns on every thirty minutes for 15 seconds and gives a 60 ml shot

If you want to use that kelp I would only use as a foliar spray

Spindle818 said:

I never use anything with organic materials in my drip lines. If you do they will clog and give uneven watering. If you are getting too much run off I would suggest getting a timer that can turn your pump on in 10-15 second intervals. My pump turns on every thirty minutes for 15 seconds and gives a 60 ml shot

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Spindle818 said:

If you want to use that kelp I would only use as a foliar spray

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I've used Clean Kelp in my res for a couple of years now, works great, never had a clog, and along with fulvic acid it gives my hydro that organic flavor.

PJ Diaz said:

I've used Clean Kelp in my res for a couple of years now, works great, never had a clog, and along with fulvic acid it gives my hydro that organic flavor.

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You run both in the res? Was just thinking about adding fulvic to my mix today when I mixed up a batch, but only had it for foliar and was just kind of dumb about not adding it I guess.

Learning1234 said:

You run both in the res? Was just thinking about adding fulvic to my mix today when I mixed up a batch, but only had it for foliar and was just kind of dumb about not adding it I guess.

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Yep, I use Jacks 321, plus Mr Fulvic and Clean Kelp in the res every time. The Fulvic also allows for lower ppms. I won't grow hydroponically without kelp and fulvic. The only other thing I add is Southern Ag Garden Friendly Fungicide to help keep the res happy. Oh, and I do sometimes add Mono Silicic Acid during veg up to week-3 of flowering, however I prefer foilar with that.

PJ Diaz said:

Yep, I use Jacks 321, plus Mr Fulvic and Clean Kelp in the res every time. The Fulvic also allows for lower ppms. I won't grow hydroponically without kelp and fulvic. The only other thing I add is Southern Ag Garden Friendly Fungicide to help keep the res happy. Oh, and I do sometimes add Mono Silicic Acid during veg up to week-3 of flowering, however I prefer foilar with that.

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Thanks for the response. Pretty similar to what I‘m doing. Just spaced on adding it to the mix instead of foliar. Makes it a lot easier. Then I can just rotate this PowerSI, until I use the bottle up, and Dr Zyme’s as foliar. Thanks again!

DankZs said:

have insight on even watering for drain waste coco

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i use one of these. with just regular aquarium tubing (black silicone). they do make bigger ones too.

PJ Diaz said:

Yep, I use Jacks 321, plus Mr Fulvic and Clean Kelp in the res every time. The Fulvic also allows for lower ppms. I won't grow hydroponically without kelp and fulvic. The only other thing I add is Southern Ag Garden Friendly Fungicide to help keep the res happy. Oh, and I do sometimes add Mono Silicic Acid during veg up to week-3 of flowering, however I prefer foilar with that.

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2 questions PJ:

why only up to week 3 with the MSA?

and have you heard of the 5:2 ratio of humic to kelp? it was a study by Oregon St (I think?) that it is the "best" ratio. i'm using it from kelp4less right now. i was out of the clean kelp and wanted to try this instead.

rkymtnman said:

2 questions PJ:

why only up to week 3 with the MSA?

and have you heard of the 5:2 ratio of humic to kelp? it was a study by Oregon St (I think?) that it is the "best" ratio. i'm using it from kelp4less right now. i was out of the clean kelp and wanted to try this instead.

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I just don't see the benefit from using Si past week 3, and in some cases using it in later flower seems to have possibly caused me issues.

How's the kelp4less working out for you? That's a powder, right? I've found that most kelp products other than Clean Kelp tend to have particulates which eventually settle out.

Yep, I've heard of that ratio, but I don't really follow it per se. I mean maybe I do, maybe I don't, not sure really. The ratio I use seems to be working pretty good.

PJ Diaz said:

How's the kelp4less working out for you? That's a powder, right? I've found that most kelp products other than Clean Kelp tend to have particulates which eventually settle out.

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i liked that clean kelp because it did mix up nice but damn, it's expensive at that mix ratio. i got a LB of the 5;2 for about 5 bucks more than a quart. it does settle a bit but not too bad. at that price, i can live with it. when my res gets to the bottom, i pour in some hot water and re-mix it up again by hand. i've only used it for a few weeks now so can't say if i like it or not yet. the plants don't seem to mind it so far.

and to your Si point, ive read both ways: stop using it roughly after stretch or use it all the way to harvest.

Are you using manifolds and all feed lines are the exact same length? Assuming you'd be running a quality filter straight from the res and clean it daily? Is the pump matched or are you trying to make do with what you have?

rkymtnman said:

i liked that clean kelp because it did mix up nice but damn, it's expensive at that mix ratio. i got a LB of the 5;2 for about 5 bucks more than a quart. it does settle a bit but not too bad. at that price, i can live with it. when my res gets to the bottom, i pour in some hot water and re-mix it up again by hand. i've only used it for a few weeks now so can't say if i like it or not yet. the plants don't seem to mind it so far.

and to your Si point, ive read both ways: stop using it roughly after stretch or use it all the way to harvest.

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CleanKelp isn't that expensive if you buy it by the gallon. If you are buying it by the quart, it's gonna be twice as expensive however.

I've used Si both ways, and I've settled on using it for a boost and biostimulant during certain periods only. I really like it as a foliar too, and it's much more affordable when used that way. I'll generally spray in veg a couple weeks before switching to 12/12, then hit it again at that transition, and maybe one more time two weeks later. At week 3 of flower, I like to spray Southern Ag GFF as a mold and mildew prevention, then I don't spray anything for the rest of the cycle.