G
Gulliveig21 May 2015 16:42Good evening,
although this concerns a balcony, since it is about automatic plant irrigation, I think this thread fits well in the plumbing section; if not, please feel free to move it.
A ready-made drip irrigation system is not an option for the reasons below (containers with water reservoirs).
I would prefer to build a stable pipe system, probably using a copper pipe, which will be supplied by a rain barrel water pump. The pipe (without the suction part) should run at about 1 meter (3 feet) above the floor along the railing, with a total length of about 8 meters (26 feet).
Several T-joints will be installed in this pipe—one for each container to be watered (around 20 in total)—and, of course, the end will be closed with an end cap.
At each T-joint, I want to draw water to supply my containers with integrated water reservoir systems (Lechuza) with the right amount of water for each planter, so different amounts for different plants. This should be possible by using different T-joint diameters, from which I would hang clear PVC tubes and lead them into the filling openings of the containers, or will this not work? (Overwatering is not really a concern because my containers have overflow protection.)
It would be even better if the outflow volume at the T-joints could be adjusted, for example, with adjustment screws—does such a thing exist?
I really have absolutely no experience with pipe installation (which any knowledgeable plumber reading along has probably already noticed), let alone with choosing the correct diameters. Therefore, probably the most important question: what websites would you recommend for someone mathematically literate but a plumbing novice, to gain insight into the required pressures (for selecting a suitable pump) and transport capacities? And what tools do I need to cut threads on copper pipes?
Can my plan even work?
Many thanks in advance for any hopefully enlightening contributions!
although this concerns a balcony, since it is about automatic plant irrigation, I think this thread fits well in the plumbing section; if not, please feel free to move it.
A ready-made drip irrigation system is not an option for the reasons below (containers with water reservoirs).
I would prefer to build a stable pipe system, probably using a copper pipe, which will be supplied by a rain barrel water pump. The pipe (without the suction part) should run at about 1 meter (3 feet) above the floor along the railing, with a total length of about 8 meters (26 feet).
Several T-joints will be installed in this pipe—one for each container to be watered (around 20 in total)—and, of course, the end will be closed with an end cap.
At each T-joint, I want to draw water to supply my containers with integrated water reservoir systems (Lechuza) with the right amount of water for each planter, so different amounts for different plants. This should be possible by using different T-joint diameters, from which I would hang clear PVC tubes and lead them into the filling openings of the containers, or will this not work? (Overwatering is not really a concern because my containers have overflow protection.)
It would be even better if the outflow volume at the T-joints could be adjusted, for example, with adjustment screws—does such a thing exist?
I really have absolutely no experience with pipe installation (which any knowledgeable plumber reading along has probably already noticed), let alone with choosing the correct diameters. Therefore, probably the most important question: what websites would you recommend for someone mathematically literate but a plumbing novice, to gain insight into the required pressures (for selecting a suitable pump) and transport capacities? And what tools do I need to cut threads on copper pipes?
Can my plan even work?
Many thanks in advance for any hopefully enlightening contributions!
EveundGerd21 May 2015 17:02How much time does the conventional watering method take so far?
Or is it more about carrying the full watering can from the barrel to the balcony?
At my parents-in-law’s horticultural business, we used pressure pumps and suction hoses to draw water from wells. The operation of the pumps was supervised and done manually.
Your idea probably won’t be cost-effective if you want to do it properly.
In nurseries, drip irrigation systems or hoses are usually used for watering. 😉 Whether your idea will work while maintaining a good cost-benefit ratio remains to be seen.
Or is it more about carrying the full watering can from the barrel to the balcony?
At my parents-in-law’s horticultural business, we used pressure pumps and suction hoses to draw water from wells. The operation of the pumps was supervised and done manually.
Your idea probably won’t be cost-effective if you want to do it properly.
In nurseries, drip irrigation systems or hoses are usually used for watering. 😉 Whether your idea will work while maintaining a good cost-benefit ratio remains to be seen.
G
Gulliveig22 May 2015 18:56Oh no, it’s not about the time or (at least not yet) the heavy lifting 🙂
My partner and I are just tech enthusiasts: anything that can be automated, we want to have automated. It helps that we both work in IT and have developed our own home automation system.
But to answer the question anyway: last year, with fewer containers, we needed about 50-70 liters (13-18 gallons) of water per day. This season, it will probably be around 20%-30% more – overall, definitely not greenhouse-level quantities!
Regarding the “not cheap” issue, we are already budgeting a (low) four-digit amount…
Best regards
Herbert
My partner and I are just tech enthusiasts: anything that can be automated, we want to have automated. It helps that we both work in IT and have developed our own home automation system.
But to answer the question anyway: last year, with fewer containers, we needed about 50-70 liters (13-18 gallons) of water per day. This season, it will probably be around 20%-30% more – overall, definitely not greenhouse-level quantities!
Regarding the “not cheap” issue, we are already budgeting a (low) four-digit amount…
Best regards
Herbert
I'm just curious about this now (although I don't have any solutions 😉 ), since I have 12 Lechuza containers on my rooftop terrace. They are all very different, with water reservoirs ranging from 1.5 to 4 liters (0.4 to 1 gallon).
The main problem with automatic watering is probably that the containers are never all completely empty at the same time. So even a mechanism that regulates the flow rate of the T-piece according to the theoretical volume of the containers will result in too much water being supplied. Of course, that doesn’t harm the containers because they have an overflow. But I guess you would have to accept that?
And then... my containers are all at different heights—on the ground, on parapets of various heights, etc. I’m imagining a piping system running all around with hoses going upwards. I probably wouldn’t like that.
Just a question, did you really have to distribute these amounts of water daily? I did a quick calculation and my containers hold about 35 liters (9 gallons) in total. On average, I had to refill them every third or fourth day. When it was particularly hot, it was every 2 to 3 days, otherwise every 4 to 5 days. That was actually the reason I got them: so I could go on a business trip for 2 to 3 days without having to arrange a watering helper every time.
The main problem with automatic watering is probably that the containers are never all completely empty at the same time. So even a mechanism that regulates the flow rate of the T-piece according to the theoretical volume of the containers will result in too much water being supplied. Of course, that doesn’t harm the containers because they have an overflow. But I guess you would have to accept that?
And then... my containers are all at different heights—on the ground, on parapets of various heights, etc. I’m imagining a piping system running all around with hoses going upwards. I probably wouldn’t like that.
Just a question, did you really have to distribute these amounts of water daily? I did a quick calculation and my containers hold about 35 liters (9 gallons) in total. On average, I had to refill them every third or fourth day. When it was particularly hot, it was every 2 to 3 days, otherwise every 4 to 5 days. That was actually the reason I got them: so I could go on a business trip for 2 to 3 days without having to arrange a watering helper every time.
EveundGerd22 May 2015 21:20I use expanded clay aggregate as a water and nutrient reservoir in my pots.
It works really well and is a good, affordable solution.
After three days, I refill using a hose.
I don’t want to have pipe systems lying around on our terrace.
Gardena offers various systems, including a professional system that might be suitable, with an irrigation controller. 😉
It works really well and is a good, affordable solution.
After three days, I refill using a hose.
I don’t want to have pipe systems lying around on our terrace.
Gardena offers various systems, including a professional system that might be suitable, with an irrigation controller. 😉
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