Blumat auto watering

[rrog]

Great info. So you'd go for the disconnect and screw the shutoffs. Cool since they're not cheap.

 

[sunnydog]

Sunny, any thoughts on the shutoff / quick connect per plant? Seems like a good idea. I can use the Watts Quick Connect in conjunction with the BM shutoff, but man, that seems like a lot of plumbing per plant. I was hoping Watts or Kent had an all-in-one component, but I'm not finding they do.

I'm kina boring... I just have a main shut off, and just use REALLY LONG 3mm lines,so I can move pots around,no problem. Just use the clothes pin to close individuals. Bravo to everyone who has experimented with different hardware, I just do not have the time, I just need it to work.

Also, don't forget, for every malfunction reported here, hundreds,(if not thousands, work perfectly). So far,so good on the P-R!!!!!

I would recommend getting lots of Ts, they always seem to be needed, and and the hose to hose connector/ repair part.
Right angles are good to have too. Having 1 or two shut off valves is a good idea.

My designs are always changing, so I like to have spare parts around, other wise I am always saying; FUCK!!! I'm one T short!!!

 

[wisco61]

I wouldn't pay money for disconnects either. If you wanted to be able to easily pull out the plants, I'd buy some 3/32" barbed connectors from kent and use it in between the feed line and the carrot. Just pinch off the drip line before the connector when you want to pull out a plant.

 

[rrog]

My irrigation is getting more and more simple. I love it! Thanks to you both!

 

[sunnydog]

My irrigation is getting more and more simple. I love it! Thanks to you both!

More stuff = more potential failure points to me. Also, I hate buying a bunch of thingys and doo-dads which eventually become junk.

 

[rrog]

I agree.

OK from Kent I am getting 30 each of the 3/32" barbed Tees, and Unions. 10 Elbows. Anything else fun from Kent I should get?

How about a tool to punch a hole in my 1/2" Drip Line for the 3/32" Tees?

I appreciate the patience with my un-ending questions.

EDIT: after Wisco61's great idea, I upped the qty to 30 of each

 

[wisco61]

I'd get like 30 each of the Tees and unions. They are cheap and the shipping is irritating because they come in an envelope but you pay package shipping so get as many as you could possibly need for a while.

 

[sunnydog]

Tip;

Tip;

When pulling out B/Ms, put them in a small cont. of water....they will not drip and if you are careful will usually stay adjusted for the next plant!

 

[rrog]

Good tip!

Here's my latest perplexion: Will hard well water clog these things? I have been working on an RO feed system with enough pressure to do this. The assumption is that the mineral deposits of the hard water would create potential problems.

Is this a good assumption? This would be a hell of a lot easier and cheaper if this system could operate with hard well water.

Having said that, are you using well water, Sunny? You must be.

 

[sunnydog]

Good tip!

Here's my latest perplexion: Will hard well water clog these things? I have been working on an RO feed system with enough pressure to do this. The assumption is that the mineral deposits of the hard water would create potential problems.

Is this a good assumption? This would be a hell of a lot easier and cheaper if this system could operate with hard well water.

Having said that, are you using well water, Sunny? You must be.

Not sure.
I have a question, if you are growing organically, why are you using RO???

 

[rrog]

RO because I have it from my chem hydro days. Also I just never knew what may or may not be in the local well water. So I just use CalMag and RO.

Then when I became aware of blumats, the thought of no mineral deposits hit me as a way to reduce runoff.

Sunny you're not sure if you're using well water?

My Well Water


.

 

[sunnydog]

RO because I have it from my chem hydro days. Also I just never knew what may or may not be in the local well water. So I just use CalMag and RO.

Then when I became aware of blumats, the thought of no mineral deposits hit me as a way to reduce runoff.

Sunny you're not sure if you're using well water?

My Well Water


.

I use WW. No problems.

 

[rives]

I need some more parts and was wondering which suppliers people have had the best luck with recently. Planet Earth looks like they've got their shipping costs more in line with reality than was the case earlier. Grener's was supposed to start carrying them, but every time I talk to them they still haven't gotten the Blumats into their product line. The last time I ordered from Way to Grow, the shipping costs were ridiculous and the items that showed as being in stock were back ordered. Any success stories out there?

 

[rrog]

Wow. Glad you posted that Rives. I was about to order from Sustainable Village. Hope that's a good idea

 

[rrog]

I use WW. No problems.

Then screw the RO system. Thanks Sunny

I'm going with that emergency backup valve that Rives found (thanks again, Rives).

 

[WasntMe]

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/CAMP356-1.html
Dual Ceramic Water Filter Bag 10 GPH Flow Rate

came in handy in a more remote auto flowering auto water rig I experimented with this Summer. The filter worked great to ensure only clean rain collection and hauled river water was in the the water tank for the blumats. I have a lot of confidence in the next run using this setup. Did better then expected for only going out there a few times.

 

[heady blunts]

I use hard tap water and sometimes I'll get q little calcification on the drip ends, but no problems from it so far. I just roll it between two fingers every few weeks and it comes off easily. I think it would take many months of neglect to become a problem.

 

[rrog]

Thanks for that reinforcement Heady. I'm glad to abandon the RO. Makes this easier. I also omit the CalMag.

 

[rrog]

I have a bunch of good 1/2" supply line.

How about a tool to punch a hole in my 1/2" Line for the 3/32" Tees? Anyone have a source for the little punch?

ALSO: Planning to order from Sustainable Village. They are out rolls of 3mm drip line right now. I can wait, unless someone tells me Sustainable Village isn't the place to go...

Thanks

 

[beta]

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