Planning my drip irrigation - Page 2

enchant · February 2, 2016

There IS one thing... Is there a rule of thumb when you'd use a 1/2" vs. 1/4" emitter tube?

Worth1 · February 2, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by enchant

That actually sounds like it would cost way way way more than I can justify for this. I've probably spent a total of $30 on drip irrigation so far. Of course, that's probably why my setups haven't lasted. But if my only option was to spend hundreds on a system, I'd have to go back to hand watering.

I could contact such a company, wrangle all the free advice I could get and then buy my gear at Amazon, but I know that they're doing this with a monetary end game in mind, and I feel like I'm cheating them if I take up lots of their time, knowing I'll buy the gear where it's less expensive. I'd prefer getting my knowledge here, where everyone knows in advance that they ain't gettin' a dime from me.

That is why I am here to get free advice from.
When you said Rainbird I somehow thought controller sorry.
Now we know where you are at.
The most important thing you will need to do is regulate your water pressure maybe and for sure filter it through a fine mesh filter.
This fine mesh filter is a must to preserve the life of your drip line trust me I found out the hard way.

This is the one you want.
http://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/DI...-p/p12-200.htm

enchant · February 2, 2016

That makes sense. Thanks for the pointer!

Worth1 · February 2, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by enchant

There IS one thing... Is there a rule of thumb when you'd use a 1/2" vs. 1/4" emitter tube?

I posted a link to a filter you will need in the above post.
Yes it amounts to water flow and how much you need to put out.
1/4 inch can only do so much.
Due to friction loss and capacity it will play out real fast.
I highly suggest 1/2 inch.

Worth

Worth1 · February 2, 2016

I will say I dont have a regulator on my drip system but I do have about the best valves money can buy to regulate the water flow.

Worth

Worth1 · February 2, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by enchant

That sounds like more than I want to put you through. Let me look through that link, and if I have some fine-tuning questions, I can ask then.

You are not putting me through anything I love doing this, many people have told me I need to start my own business.

What you want is easy.

Worth

BigVanVader · February 2, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by enchant

That actually sounds like it would cost way way way more than I can justify for this. I've probably spent a total of $30 on drip irrigation so far. Of course, that's probably why my setups haven't lasted. But if my only option was to spend hundreds on a system, I'd have to go back to hand watering.

I could contact such a company, wrangle all the free advice I could get and then buy my gear at Amazon, but I know that they're doing this with a monetary end game in mind, and I feel like I'm cheating them if I take up lots of their time, knowing I'll buy the gear where it's less expensive. I'd prefer getting my knowledge here, where everyone knows in advance that they ain't gettin' a dime from me.

Either way I would check on the options they provide, you might be surprised how inexpensive it can be. Like most things it boils down to "you get what you pay for" that being said if you would rather spend a little money every year then I'd go back with soaker hoses. Cheapest way I can think of other than that would be a spigot control box with 1/2 inch drip line and inline emitters. Good luck in whatever you decide!

enchant · February 2, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Worth1

I highly suggest 1/2 inch.

Excellent. Half-inch it is.

zeuspaul · February 2, 2016

How are your soaker hoses set up? Are they attached to a header? Can you just substitute drip line for the soaker hoses? If my memory serves me Rainbird drip line is rated to 60 psi but I wouldn't go that high. You also have to consider the fittings might come apart at higher pressures. If your water pressure is 60 psi at he source it would be considerably less in a large zone.

I run a one inch hard PVC header, then a PVC tee, then a ball valve, then an adapter and the 1/2 inch drip line. There are several sizes of 1/2 inch drip line and not all adapters will fit all 1/2 inch drip line.

I like the Perma-Loc fittings available at Drip Depot. They are easy to install and Drip Depot has a low minimum for free shipping ($49). I use the 1/2 male pipe thread x 3/8 tubing adapter to go from the PVC to tubing. (3/8 is one of the nominal 1/2 inch tubing sizes)

OzoneNY · February 4, 2016

Holy cannoli ... I'll stick with micro-controllers and computers. Less complicated than this irrigation irritation.

mikemansker · February 5, 2016

I use Toro 53640 Blue Stripe Drip 1/4-Inch Tubing Sprinkler with Emitters, 100-Feet from Amazon. Good stuff, easy to work with and cheap.

WhippoorwillG · February 5, 2016

I use drip tape. It is simple, hardy, reusable(sometimes), and easy to keep a check on its efficacy. This would work best if you have rows, especially long rows.

I also like that it is very easy to alter a setup or fix chewed or cut lines. A pressure regulator, and a few fittings and you can be ready to go, depending upon the size of your setup.

Worth1 · February 5, 2016

There are a thousand ways to water something.
They all have there pros and cons.
When I put my irrigation system in the very first thing I considered was the controller/timer.
They are all not the same.
I chose one that had 12 stop and start times and could be expanded to 48 watering zones.
It will also go on and off in a minute if you want.
The programs are infinite.
My next step was to look at every possible selection of valves and to choose one that would operate at any water flow with the least amount of friction loss.
Then there were the two filters I put in.
One for the main system ans another for the drip.
The heads were considered and many other things.
What I ended up doing was getting the best that each company had to offer and combining them.
It took maybe three years to save and buy everything then once I had it all I installed it.
While I was waiting to put this system in I ran the drip on the garden with battery operated timers.

One thing I did was I built a seed watering overhead system in the raised beds.
This way I could plant seeds go away for two weeks come back and everything would be sprouted in the beds.
In each bed I simply take apart a pipe union pull out the drip lines do my work and put it back in.

One of the better products I have is the hunter pop up bubblers that you can change the amount of water to each plant.
http://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/Hu...zles-s/324.htm

Worth

Gerardo · February 5, 2016

RGGS almost completely done. I now have to figure out a hands-off watering method for my free standing containers.

I don't have much to contribute here since I'm running with only gravity. This will be my first year attempting a drip irrigation setup. Given the low pressure, most emitters are out of question for me so I'll be using recycled and or QA/QC rejects of medical infusion sets, adjusted to X amount of drops per minute.

Haven't decided if they will be fed by a rigid pvc tube with holes or a flexible 3/4 pierced at intervals with the infusion sets.

A bottle cap with lots of tiny holes can serve as a large particle filter too, yes?

Worth1 · February 5, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerardo

RGGS almost completely done. I now have to figure out a hands-off watering method for my free standing containers.

I don't have much to contribute here since I'm running with only gravity. This will be my first year attempting a drip irrigation setup. Given the low pressure, most emitters are out of question for me so I'll be using recycled and or QA/QC rejects of medical infusion sets, adjusted to X amount of drops per minute.

Haven't decided if they will be fed by a rigid pvc tube with holes or a flexible 3/4 pierced at intervals with the infusion sets.

A bottle cap with lots of tiny holes can serve as a large particle filter too, yes?

The bubblers I posted above would be the cats meow for you.

Let me show you what you can do with them.
You buy these either they or the bubbler comes with a filter screen.
You buy 1/2 or 3/4 PVC pipe and Tees threaded on the bull head.
Screw a close nipple the adapter then the bubbler and you are good to go.
You can either by them adjustable or a set amount of water.
You can also get them at lowes or home depot I cant remember which.

Worth

http://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/Aq...or-p/psa-m.htm

February 5, 2016	#27
WhippoorwillG Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Hartwell, Georgia Posts: 174	I use drip tape. It is simple, hardy, reusable(sometimes), and easy to keep a check on its efficacy. This would work best if you have rows, especially long rows. I also like that it is very easy to alter a setup or fix chewed or cut lines. A pressure regulator, and a few fittings and you can be ready to go, depending upon the size of your setup. __________________ Mark Whippoorwill Gardens

February 2, 2016	#16
enchant Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 142	There IS one thing... Is there a rule of thumb when you'd use a 1/2" vs. 1/4" emitter tube?

February 2, 2016	#20
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	I will say I dont have a regulator on my drip system but I do have about the best valves money can buy to regulate the water flow. Worth

February 2, 2016	#24
zeuspaul Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2007 Location: North County, San Diego Posts: 419	How are your soaker hoses set up? Are they attached to a header? Can you just substitute drip line for the soaker hoses? If my memory serves me Rainbird drip line is rated to 60 psi but I wouldn't go that high. You also have to consider the fittings might come apart at higher pressures. If your water pressure is 60 psi at he source it would be considerably less in a large zone. I run a one inch hard PVC header, then a PVC tee, then a ball valve, then an adapter and the 1/2 inch drip line. There are several sizes of 1/2 inch drip line and not all adapters will fit all 1/2 inch drip line. I like the Perma-Loc fittings available at Drip Depot. They are easy to install and Drip Depot has a low minimum for free shipping ($49). I use the 1/2 male pipe thread x 3/8 tubing adapter to go from the PVC to tubing. (3/8 is one of the nominal 1/2 inch tubing sizes)

February 4, 2016	#25
OzoneNY Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Frisco Texas Posts: 390	Holy cannoli ... I'll stick with micro-controllers and computers. Less complicated than this irrigation irritation.

February 5, 2016	#26
mikemansker Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Branson MO Posts: 441	I use Toro 53640 Blue Stripe Drip 1/4-Inch Tubing Sprinkler with Emitters, 100-Feet from Amazon. Good stuff, easy to work with and cheap.

February 5, 2016	#29
Gerardo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Diego-Tijuana Posts: 2,598	RGGS almost completely done. I now have to figure out a hands-off watering method for my free standing containers. I don't have much to contribute here since I'm running with only gravity. This will be my first year attempting a drip irrigation setup. Given the low pressure, most emitters are out of question for me so I'll be using recycled and or QA/QC rejects of medical infusion sets, adjusted to X amount of drops per minute. Haven't decided if they will be fed by a rigid pvc tube with holes or a flexible 3/4 pierced at intervals with the infusion sets. A bottle cap with lots of tiny holes can serve as a large particle filter too, yes?