This emitter okay? which emitter should I use? other questions abt first time drip irrigation setup...

Overgrowtho · Mar 10, 2021

It is my first attempt to setup a drip irrigation and I will start in a couple weeks, now I am looking at my materials.

The room is my 4x4 flower chamber with 6 plants in soiless grow medium of peat and vermiculite.

I am using a 1.1 GPM pump typically used in RVs or Yachts connected to smart wifi valve and 200 litre reservoir fertigation tank.

Questions:
1. Why does this emitter have 2 inputs and 2 outputs? I know the first can sprinkle in a circle and be adjusted. Maybe the 2nd simply shoots a line or something?

2. Is this going to be a suitable emitter for a 5 gallon pot with 1 emitter? Need 2 or 4?

3. If that emitter is not recommended what replacement emitter should I use and how many?

4. How to avoid irregular pressure issues in designing the rig if its a concern? Is there something I can do or be careful of? (I searched in my country and didn't find octa bubbler. I need to import that or do something?)

5. Other pro tips and issues to be careful about?

BobThe420Builder · Mar 10, 2021

Be sure you're pump has enough psi to work the emmiters

Most need 10-20psi to work and most pumps only do like 2-4psi

Overgrowtho · Mar 10, 2021

BobThe420Builder said:
Be sure you're pump has enough psi to work the emmiters

Most need 10-20psi to work and most pumps only do like 2-4psi

Thanks my pump says 70 PSI.

Did you mean it needs about 15 PSI per each emitter or just 70 PSI overall will be fine (even with like 12 emitters)?

What emitter do you recommend, or is my type in the picture good?

BobThe420Builder · Mar 10, 2021

What pump is it,I need a new one....ahh I see it, nice I'll look into that

Basically just needs a higher psi than most air pumps produce

I like those umbrella misters, easy to dial in,I use them outside in my veggie garden

BobThe420Builder · Mar 10, 2021

Not sure what u mean two outputs

The thing in the side cones off for either a plug or a splice for two hoses

Overgrowtho · Mar 10, 2021

Okay so I'm thinking 2x of these umbrella emitters. I hope it is enough and wont require 4... lets see.

Some people recommend netafim or sprayers/stakes with pressure compensation. Sounds good but I cant seem to find that where I live...

To help stablize pressure I understand the feed hose can go in a closed loop circle, and that should help a lot.

I've drawn a very crude schematic of the plan I have in mind:

Im still trying to determine if I can do that above with the staked sprayers or maybe even use a big drip cap:

Chopshop697 · Mar 11, 2021

That pump will work, but you can set up a test first. I have the exact same one I was using for a drain, but reworked it this morning to feed a 1/2 irrigation line with 12 emitters as a test. Worked well, but use a good filter or screen before the input of the pump. Also, you can use a timer and a bunch of solo cups to calibrate and match each emitter if they're adjustable. BTW, loved the floraflex caps when I had a gravity feed system in my stealth grow. No pump needed, just siphon and solenoids.

Overgrowtho · Mar 12, 2021

Chopshop697 said:
That pump will work, but you can set up a test first. I have the exact same one I was using for a drain, but reworked it this morning to feed a 1/2 irrigation line with 12 emitters as a test. Worked well, but use a good filter or screen before the input of the pump. Also, you can use a timer and a bunch of solo cups to calibrate and match each emitter if they're adjustable. BTW, loved the floraflex caps when I had a gravity feed system in my stealth grow. No pump needed, just siphon and solenoids.

Wow thanks so much for your reply, it sounds like we've done or are doing almost the same thing.

May I ask what type of emitters are you using?

I think I will take that advice and run some tests. Partly because I'm still determining if I should use 2 umbrella emitters or use any kind of drip emitters or the floraflex cap (6 inch or 8 inch) or some combination of these above. I tend to think an 8 inch flora flex is easiest to set up and manage, but I just measured the fabric pot which is more like 12-14 inches accross.

With 8" flora flex caps in 13 inch bags, I thought I should worry about the edges not getting enough moisture. Right? Why did you stop

Funny we have the same pump! This might sound like a weird question: I just tried to connect the wires to a power supply 12Volt/10Amp (that I bought separately to match with it) but nothing happened when I plugged in! Am I missing something here? The pump is 12Volt too. But only 1.2Amp. (I didnt connect the water/pipes -- maybe thats why? Or wrong power supply? Or my wiring was too poor haha?)

Chopshop697 · Mar 12, 2021

That power supply should definitely work. Only reason it might not is polarity. Red (or brown) is +, black (or blue) is - If you have a cheap voltmeter you can check the output of the power supply. Sometimes they have internal fuses that go. Also make sure the AC going in to the supply is within range - 120 vs 240V etc. Check the nameplate on the power supply to be sure.

Overgrowtho · Mar 12, 2021

Chopshop697 said:
That power supply should definitely work. Only reason it might not is polarity. Red (or brown) is +, black (or blue) is - If you have a cheap voltmeter you can check the output of the power supply. Sometimes they have internal fuses that go. Also make sure the AC going in to the supply is within range - 120 vs 240V etc. Check the nameplate on the power supply to be sure.

Sorry yup its working fine now, connection was bad to power supply. I need to get some wire splicer things or whatever.

I did a bit of testing. This pump should turn on and off when the pressure/valve opens or closes right?

Chopshop697 · Mar 12, 2021

Oh crap. Didn't see the pressure switch on the end. Mine doesn't have that, but same label and colors, so I just assumed..
No worries. The cycling pressure can be adjusted or eliminated. Check out this link: https://rvnstyle.com/why-your-rv-water-pump-pulsates-and-how-to-fix-it/
Should be as simple as turning the Allen screw at the end of the pump clockwise until the cycling stops. Then you can just use a timer or switch to turn your pump on, and it should stay on.

Overgrowtho · Mar 12, 2021

Thanks again. Looks like counter clockwise because I will control by wifi valve. I want the pump to come on only when valve opens.

So have you decided which emitters to use @Chopshop697 ?

Chopshop697 · Mar 12, 2021

I think I have the same as you, or pretty similar. https://www.amazon.com/Goldenvalueable-Adjustable-Irrigation-Drippers-Vegetable/dp/B07RJKZS6V
*edit* Don't get these! The barb doesn't fit a standard 1/4" tube. Craptastic!

lazaah · Mar 12, 2021

I have the same neta emitters. My pumps a 100gph ish aquarium pump that gives 3m head. 2 gal smartpots. 2 emmiters per pot.

First i found the pressure wasnt high enough to make them sprinkle. So i popped the caps off so they just 'dribbled'. After a month of using them i was having significant lock out issues, runoff at >3.6ec each week. 2 drip locations for even my small pots just wasnt enough. Ive now got 2 lines to each pot which have tees on the ends, giving me four evenly spaced drip points without the emitters.

I was feeding 500ml 5x during lights on, still getting an ec rise over the week. Im now following the 5x feed schedule from cocoforcannabis, but the first feed at lights on is 1L as i was still getting an EC rise

This emitter okay? which emitter should I use? other questions abt first time drip irrigation setup...

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