Automatic watering system.

Helmut79

Helmut79

Well-Known Member
I want to imitate handwatering with a help of a water pump and water pipes.

Very simple to do.

I'm unsure about one thing though - the pump.

If it pumps too fast, it will damage the surface and roots.

But if it doesn't pump fast enough? Is there such a thing?

I've heard of watering systems where water only drips on the pot. That's not what I'm thinking to do.

I'm thinking when water pipe is aimed at one point, then outcome could be unevenly hydrated root zone if the pressure is too low and water comes too slow. Don't you think?

How many seconds or minutes do you think it should take for 1L (for example) to flow in the pot and evenly hydrate coco medium?
 
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J

jkwrestling13

Well-Known Member
What i wkuld do is set up a resivour with a pump inside, then piping running through your system. Im interested in how long it would take to fully saturate a soil medium. maybe illogical, but you could set up pipe running to the base of your plant, then circular pipe surrounding the stem with 3 small holds drilled so the water would be more evenly distributed.
 
Reeferfish

Reeferfish

Well-Known Member
How many plants are you looking to water? I have a pump called an aqualifter it pumps really slow (like 3 gallons an hour) I used it on a timer that would make it run for about 15 mins a day. Worked like a charm
 
Helmut79

Helmut79

Well-Known Member
jkwrestling13 said:
What i wkuld do is set up a resivour with a pump inside, then piping running through your system. Im interested in how long it would take to fully saturate a soil medium. maybe illogical, but you could set up pipe running to the base of your plant, then circular pipe surrounding the stem with 3 small holds drilled so the water would be more evenly distributed.
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It's not illogical, but it's too complicated. I'd like more simplicity.
 
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Helmut79

Helmut79

Well-Known Member
Reeferfish said:
How many plants are you looking to water? I have a pump called an aqualifter it pumps really slow (like 3 gallons an hour) I used it on a timer that would make it run for about 15 mins a day. Worked like a charm
Click to expand...
You're basically saying that a slow flow will do?
 
Reeferfish

Reeferfish

Well-Known Member
Yeah it may not completely saturate the soil but if your going away for a week or so it will atleast add water. It was kind of trial and error. Plus the timer I had was all 15 min increments so I could have it add a little water at multiple points in a day. Working with aquariums most of my life I really learned some plumbing skills. The great thing about submersible pumps is that if its plumbed with pvc you can always add a ball valve to really dial in the ammount of water being pumped out.
 
BustinScales510

BustinScales510

Well-Known Member
Slow is best. It can be difficult with automated systems to get all the emitters to put out the same amount of water. It works best when the pump is strong enough to pressurize the line and have a slow stream come out.

I have an irrigation system set up and the lines put out about a 16 oz/red keg cup per 2 min ( usually water 10 min a night, so 5 cups per 5 gallon pot of coco/perlite). It waters pretty evenly but I still like to alternate nights and hand water with a pump and wand so I can even out the ones that are lighter.
 
Reeferfish

Reeferfish

Well-Known Member
BustinScales510 said:
Slow is best. It can be difficult with automated systems to get all the emitters to put out the same amount of water. It works best when the pump is strong enough to pressurize the line and have a slow stream come out.

I have an irrigation system set up and the lines put out about a 16 oz/red keg cup per 2 min ( usually water 10 min a night, so 5 cups per 5 gallon pot of coco/perlite). It waters pretty evenly but I still like to alternate nights and hand water with a pump and wand so I can even out the ones that are lighter.
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Yes pressurised is certainly best. I like hand watering just because of something goes wrong I don't have a flood or dry pots. I only see this being functional if you go on vacation or skmething
 
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