Blumat auto watering

[oldboat]

Hey guys,

Just discovered Tropf Blumat, and looking to get myself a kit. I have a few questions if any of you has the time to answer.

1. I want to get the 12 carrots kit, and I want to share it with a friend. We both grow in just one pot each. What other accessory do we need to get, so both of us can use the kit? We figured , one extra tank connector, extra hose (didn't figure what thickness). What else?

2. What other accessory do you recommend to get upfront to make our lives easier? A closed loop would be a better option? I've read a few pages from the front, and a few from the back of this thread. I see this needs cleaning, although I will only use plain water. I would like to make that easy. This and taking out the air from the system if somehow it runs out of water.

3. You guys that have this system for a few years, anything else I need to know?

Thank you for your time !

 

[Ez Rider]

Hey guys,

Just discovered Tropf Blumat, and looking to get myself a kit. I have a few questions if any of you has the time to answer.

1. I want to get the 12 carrots kit, and I want to share it with a friend. We both grow in just one pot each. What other accessory do we need to get, so both of us can use the kit? We figured , one extra tank connector, extra hose (didn't figure what thickness). What else?

2. What other accessory do you recommend to get upfront to make our lives easier? A closed loop would be a better option? I've read a few pages from the front, and a few from the back of this thread. I see this needs cleaning, although I will only use plain water. I would like to make that easy. This and taking out the air from the system if somehow it runs out of water.

3. You guys that have this system for a few years, anything else I need to know?

Thank you for your time !

1. Are you planning on pressurized or gravity fed system(s)? Be sure to get the flexible 8mm line. Don't buy a kit, piece together your own system(s). 1 pot = 1 carrot...why do you need 12?

2. With plain water, you won't need cleaning, but you may want to add a bleeder branch for air bubbles and priming. If I had a clear idea of what you have in mind it would be easier to give you specific advice.

3. It involves water...have a plan to contain ALL of it.

 

[Ez Rider]

Any Coco is fine really, I like botanicare bricks BC they are cheap, easy to transport and store, and bug free. I'm almost certain I got root aphids from bagged coco. In my opinion, straight coco works best. It has plenty of air porosity for the roots and usually perlite and the like just causes issues with carrots drying too fast.

What size pots/plants are you doing with straight coco?

 

[oldboat]

1.Gravity fed, with a 8-10 gallon tank. Our pots are 40cm (16") diameter, and I was thinking 4 carrots a pot X2 =8, and 4 spares, or maybe the third pot in a eventual future . I can get them separately , but we are afraid we'll miss something and have to reorder

Be sure to get the flexible 8mm line.

Check.

2. bleeder branch... Do you mean THIS ?
I can leave the system as it's designed, or continue the line and get back in the tank. Like double line exit from the tank(with 2 tank adapters), and the lines unite in the pot. If at some point the line clogs, the other end continues to feed the water. Just sayn... I can let it be as it is designed. Just wanted to complicate things In this case we will need a second end of the line plug... I think.

3. LOL I'll try not to have more than a gallon of water in the tank for the first 2 weeks, and than gradually increase the level.

 

[Bwanabud]

1.Gravity fed, with a 8-10 gallon tank. Our pots are 40cm (16") diameter, and I was thinking 4 carrots a pot X2 =8, and 4 spares, or maybe the third pot in a eventual future . I can get them separately , but we are afraid we'll miss something and have to reorder
Check.

2. bleeder branch... Do you mean THIS ?
I can leave the system as it's designed, or continue the line and get back in the tank. Like double line exit from the tank(with 2 tank adapters), and the lines unite in the pot. If at some point the line clogs, the other end continues to feed the water. Just sayn... I can let it be as it is designed. Just wanted to complicate things In this case we will need a second end of the line plug... I think.

3. LOL I'll try not to have more than a gallon of water in the tank for the first 2 weeks, and than gradually increase the level.

You only use 1 carrot per pot, multiple spray/drip heads. If the pot is under 15" tall use regular carrot sensor, if larger use 1 super carrot.

 

[Ez Rider]

1.Gravity fed, with a 8-10 gallon tank. Our pots are 40cm (16") diameter, and I was thinking 4 carrots a pot X2 =8, and 4 spares, or maybe the third pot in a eventual future . I can get them separately , but we are afraid we'll miss something and have to reorder
Check.

2. bleeder branch... Do you mean THIS ?
I can leave the system as it's designed, or continue the line and get back in the tank. Like double line exit from the tank(with 2 tank adapters), and the lines unite in the pot. If at some point the line clogs, the other end continues to feed the water. Just sayn... I can let it be as it is designed. Just wanted to complicate things In this case we will need a second end of the line plug... I think.

3. LOL I'll try not to have more than a gallon of water in the tank for the first 2 weeks, and than gradually increase the level.

For a gravity system, I'd recommend a 3 gal rubbermaid tote as your res. I'd be amazed if your 1 plant ever uses more than 1/2 gal/day with a blumat, unless the dripper is running away. Remember: the res needs to be at least 6' above the carrot. Use 2 8mm bulkhead fittings to run a loop from the res to your pot and back. ALWAYS run a loop. Use a 8mmx8mmx3mm tee at the pot for your 3mm feeder line, and to tie the two 8mm lines together. place another tee, (8mmx8mmx8mm) next to the first, and use the valve you pictured to close off the open end of the tee. This will be your bleeder valve. I can snap a few pics for detail if you'd like.

You only use 1 carrot per pot, multiple spray/drip heads. If the pot is under 15" tall use regular carrot sensor, if larger use 1 super carrot.

I agree about 1 blumat/pot and if they're deeper than 15" get the maxi's. The distribution drippers SUCK, don't waste your money. The carrot itself is plenty.

 

[Jhhnn]

For a gravity system, I'd recommend a 3 gal rubbermaid tote as your res. I'd be amazed if your 1 plant ever uses more than 1/2 gal/day with a blumat, unless the dripper is running away. Remember: the res needs to be at least 6' above the carrot. Use 2 8mm bulkhead fittings to run a loop from the res to your pot and back. ALWAYS run a loop. Use a 8mmx8mmx3mm tee at the pot for your 3mm feeder line, and to tie the two 8mm lines together. place another tee, (8mmx8mmx8mm) next to the first, and use the valve you pictured to close off the open end of the tee. This will be your bleeder valve. I can snap a few pics for detail if you'd like.


I agree about 1 blumat/pot and if they're deeper than 15" get the maxi's. The distribution drippers SUCK, don't waste your money. The carrot itself is plenty.

My instruction sheet specs that the res must be at least 1/2 meter above the carrot for each 5 meters of 8mm tubing. My res maintains constant level with a float valve with the surface level varying between 3-5 ft above the carrots. The longest 8mm line is ~2M. The light is fixed & I move the plants lower as they grow. Works great.

Blumat specs 1 carrot in a 25cm pot, two in 40cm & 3 at 50cm. 5 gal fabric pots are only slightly larger than 25cm so one carrot works fine.

 

[Ez Rider]

My instruction sheet specs that the res must be at least 1/2 meter above the carrot for each 5 meters of 8mm tubing. My res maintains constant level with a float valve with the surface level varying between 3-5 ft above the carrots. The longest 8mm line is ~2M. The light is fixed & I move the plants lower as they grow. Works great.

Blumat specs 1 carrot in a 25cm pot, two in 40cm & 3 at 50cm. 5 gal fabric pots are only slightly larger than 25cm so one carrot works fine.

I always had shit results with less than 6' of drop, YMMV. Actually, I've upgraded to a pressurized system, which I believe makes the blumats much more reliable and versatile. I believe I can run thicker stuff, like biobizz, or ACT without clogging the 3mm lines. I will probably test it out once I've got my new lights dialed.

FWIW, I've personally seen a 10gal pot working just fine with 1 carrot.

 

[Bwanabud]

I always had shit results with less than 6' of drop, YMMV. Actually, I've upgraded to a pressurized system, which I believe makes the blumats much more reliable and versatile. I believe I can run thicker stuff, like biobizz, or ACT without clogging the 3mm lines. I will probably test it out once I've got my new lights dialed.

FWIW, I've personally seen a 10gal pot working just fine with 1 carrot.

I'm installing a big pressurized/injection system now, looks like a big time saver to me..let's hope so anyway. How did you balance your system on start-up ?...did you place pans under the pots to check for run-aways, or just watch the tables for excess drainage ?

 

[Jhhnn]

I always had shit results with less than 6' of drop, YMMV. Actually, I've upgraded to a pressurized system, which I believe makes the blumats much more reliable and versatile. I believe I can run thicker stuff, like biobizz, or ACT without clogging the 3mm lines. I will probably test it out once I've got my new lights dialed.

FWIW, I've personally seen a 10gal pot working just fine with 1 carrot.

I'm sure things change if you're running more than water thru the lines. That's what blumats are designed to do so you're flying by the seat of your pants after that.

 

[Ez Rider]

I'm installing a big pressurized/injection system now, looks like a big time saver to me..let's hope so anyway. How did you balance your system on start-up ?...did you place pans under the pots to check for run-aways, or just watch the tables for excess drainage ?

Not exactly sure what you mean by "balance". Once all the carrots are planted, I let them stabilize in saturated pots for a few hours. Then I turn on the pump, and open my bleeder valve until I get continuous pressure with no air bubbles on the bleeder line. It takes a few minutes of "bleeding" for the accumulator and lines to fully pressurize.Once the system is pressurized and free of air, I dial in the in individual drippers. 1 arrow back from a clinging drip seems to work good now. With the gravity system it was 2 arrows back. I have each pot in a 10" saucer, and all the saucers sitting in a 4'x4'x8" tray. Runaways are actually worse with the gravity system in my experience...YMMV.

In any event, blumats are an enormous labor saver when set up properly.

 

[Bwanabud]

Not exactly sure what you mean by "balance". Once all the carrots are planted, I let them stabilize in saturated pots for a few hours. Then I turn on the pump, and open my bleeder valve until I get continuous pressure with no air bubbles on the bleeder line. It takes a few minutes of "bleeding" for the accumulator and lines to fully pressurize.Once the system is pressurized and free of air, I dial in the in individual drippers. 1 arrow back from a clinging drip seems to work good now. With the gravity system it was 2 arrows back. I have each pot in a 10" saucer, and all the saucers sitting in a 4'x4'x8" tray. Runaways are actually worse with the gravity system in my experience...YMMV.

In any event, blumats are an enormous labor saver when set up properly.

Appreciate the advice

So "1 arrow back from a clinging drop"...does it still feed pressure for the adjustment when the carrot is in a saturated pot ?...seems like the carrot wouldn't "call" for water if it was wet.

 

[Ez Rider]

Appreciate the advice

So "1 arrow back from a clinging drop"...does it still feed pressure for the adjustment when the carrot is in a saturated pot ?...seems like the carrot wouldn't "call" for water if it was wet.

It will take a little playing with depending on your medium, pot size, and atmospheric conditions. If they drip until runoff, dial them back some.

 

[Jhhnn]

Appreciate the advice

So "1 arrow back from a clinging drop"...does it still feed pressure for the adjustment when the carrot is in a saturated pot ?...seems like the carrot wouldn't "call" for water if it was wet.

It's all in the adjustment. In saturated soil, open up the adjustment until water flows freely, dial it back until a drop just clings to the dripper, then go one arrow more in the closing direction. As the soil dries a little the valve opens up a tiny bit & dripping commences.

Once you've done that there's a very narrow range of adjustment where the system works as intended. Tiny adjustments either way make the soil slightly wetter or dryer.

If the soil & the carrot get too dry for any reason like a pinched line then the setup of soaking the soil, soaking the ceramic & refilling the carrot needs to be repeated. Otherwise there's air in the carrot & it won't work right. I always readjust if that happens but it may not be necessary. dunno for sure.

 

[Sforza]

Actually, I've upgraded to a pressurized system, which I believe makes the blumats much more reliable and versatile. I believe I can run thicker stuff, like biobizz, or ACT without clogging the 3mm lines.

I ordered the Blumat pressure reducer from Sustainable Village and am waiting for it to arrive. It was cheaper from SV even after paying for shipping than it was on Amazon with "free" shipping.

I am going to be using straight water, but I noticed that SV has some nice looking filters that look like they would work well in a system using a pump and an accumulator to pressurize the system. I think they were $31 and had connections to fit the 8mm hose.

 

[Bwanabud]

I ordered the Blumat pressure reducer from Sustainable Village and am waiting for it to arrive. It was cheaper from SV even after paying for shipping than it was on Amazon with "free" shipping.

I am going to be using straight water, but I noticed that SV has some nice looking filters that look like they would work well in a system using a pump and an accumulator to pressurize the system. I think they were $31 and had connections to fit the 8mm hose.

The reducer should knock it down to 15psi, and I'm running a dual filter system from them..along with dual pressure gauge kit.

 

[Ez Rider]

I ordered the Blumat pressure reducer from Sustainable Village and am waiting for it to arrive. It was cheaper from SV even after paying for shipping than it was on Amazon with "free" shipping.

I am going to be using straight water, but I noticed that SV has some nice looking filters that look like they would work well in a system using a pump and an accumulator to pressurize the system. I think they were $31 and had connections to fit the 8mm hose.

In a pump/accumulator system, you want the filter BEFORE the 8mm line, preferably before the pump. ShurFlo makes a nice, removable strainer one that threads right onto the inlet side of the pump...it's ~$6. The blumat filters are a complete rip-off.

The reducer should knock it down to 15psi, and I'm running a dual filter system from them..along with dual pressure gauge kit.

I've seen several people with a pressure gauge. The pressure reducer is preset to ~15psi. It will put out 15 psi with anywhere from a 15-87psi input. What is the point of a pressure gauge besides looking pretty?

 

[Bwanabud]

I've seen several people with a pressure gauge. The pressure reducer is preset to ~15psi. It will put out 15 psi with anywhere from a 15-87psi input. What is the point of a pressure gauge besides looking pretty?

Look pretty ?

It shows the pressure differential drop across the filter system, and the high side outlet pressure. Then you know when the filters need cleaned(I use well water), and if the pressure reducer would fail.

 

[Ez Rider]

Look pretty ?

It shows the pressure differential drop across the filter system, and the high side outlet pressure. Then you know when the filters need cleaned(I use well water), and if the pressure reducer would fail.

That's why I asked...I use RO water, and nothing in my feed a simple filter/strainer won't handle. The screen has 1mm holes, the feed lines are 3mm. I don't know that there's anything in the pressure regulator to "fail", unless you're running a lot of sediment through it. I'd call that "I clogged up the regulator", not "the regulator failed".

 

[Bwanabud]

That's why I asked...I use RO water, and nothing in my feed a simple filter/strainer won't handle. The screen has 1mm holes, the feed lines are 3mm. I don't know that there's anything in the pressure regulator to "fail", unless you're running a lot of sediment through it. I'd call that "I clogged up the regulator", not "the regulator failed".

With a well system I have no choice, but double filters & pretty gauges will tell me if I "clogged" anything up..."better safe than sorry" for me. I'm running big rooms, if it goes down I have big problems.