Opinion on pump size for drip system

[Jungle.Microbes]

I'm in the process of designing a drip style irrigation system for my vertical cage setup. I run a self-amended soil mix using air pots in a SOG vert style grow. I have 18 1 gallon pots that I'm going to be watering with this system. I have decided to go with either drippers or open ended hose for each site, and will need to move the solution from the res on the floor, to the top of the structure, and then gravity can take over for the most part.

I need to rise the water approximately 4 feet in the air.. If needed I can rig up a stand for the res and keep it higher, but ideally I want to keep it on the floor and rise it using 1/2" PVC.

I'm going to be running plain water through, and tea solution, no salt ferts at all. In the event my drippers clog, I'll run it open ended, so if I decide to go this route, the pump would have to be a bit bigger to compensate for the reduced pressure.

Cliffnotes:
Rise: 4' to 3 way manifold (one line for each level in the structure)
1/4" tubing from manifold to each site in row (6-9 sites per row)

drain to waste setup, no need to recycle. All opinions welcome.

 

[krunchbubble]

grab a MONDI pump......
http://www.growsmarthydroponics.com...&gdftrk=gdfV22646_a_7c984_a_7c4625_a_7c727095

and remember, grab some H@G drip clean to go with your drip system...

 

[Jungle.Microbes]

why would you recommend such a big pump? It seems that would be a bit of overkill, but if you think I need that much juice, I'm open to understanding the mechanics behind it, this is the first automated system I've built. I was initially thinking a 400-600gph pump would be sufficient, but that's just speculation.

 

[krunchbubble]

its what worked best for me with such a high lift, like you have....

better to overdo it, then under power your system.....

 

[Hammerhead]

Mag drive pumps are solid pumps.. The 9.5 will work fine for yuor needs

Mag Drive Pumps are the perfect combination of power and efficiency. These powerful pumps feature an epoxy encapsulated motor and a ceramic, magnetic impeller. Use the Mag Drive Water Pump as an in-line or submersible pump in any freshwater or marine application. Prefilter included for all models, except 24. No oiling required and no seals to wear out.

 

[Jungle.Microbes]

its what worked best for me with such a high lift, like you have....

better to overdo it, then under power your system.....

yeah this is what I'm trying to avoid, I'd rather do it right the first time than have to get a bigger pump later on. Thanks for the input!

 

[shuswap]

hey krunch i find those mondi pumps complete garbage i have returned 4 of them and exchanged for a mag drive,every one of the mondis with 3-6 months use lost its flow and 2 of them totally lost all flow with motor turning,stay away from these pos....!

 

[SensiBC]

I've had 3 Mag Drives going on 5 years now, and none of them have failed me yet.

Also have a 1000gph+ flotec that I thought had crapped out on me after a year, but turned out to just have a jammed impeller. Cleaned it out and it was good to go.

I will say though, if your pump sits in the bottom of your res, I prefer the flotec design. The flotec draws water in from a screened area on it's bottom, thus draining more of the liquid from the res than a mag drive style pump and it's side mounted inlet/filter.

Solid pumps either way though.

 

[budleydoright]

Check this out:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200249074_200249074?cm_mmc=Google-pla-_-Water%20Pumps-_-Utility%20Pumps-_-52067&ci_sku=52067&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw={keyword}

200 gph but tons of pressure. This is the same type of pump an rv uses to pump water from the tank. Your drippers need pressure not volume.

 

[CannaBunkerMan]

You can always use a partially closed shut-off valve right off of the pump if the pressure is too high at the dripper end.

 

[Lammy]

why would you recommend such a big pump? It seems that would be a bit of overkill, but if you think I need that much juice, I'm open to understanding the mechanics behind it, this is the first automated system I've built. I was initially thinking a 400-600gph pump would be sufficient, but that's just speculation.

I've used the 700 g p h mag drive on a 9 foot lift with pressure compensating dripping emitters. Which ran pretty weak considering the 75 drippers I had connected. But it did work, if i ran half the drippers or half the head feet it would of worked great. I got my pump from amazon but the prices have went up a little since then.

its what worked best for me with such a high lift, like you have....

better to overdo it, then under power your system.....

4' isn't very high. I tried using small sump pumps but with the higher pressure, pressure compensating drip emitters eventually close off. I have never tried the mondi.

You will need pressure compensating drip emitters or all your water will go to the bottom plants and none will go to the top. I got my drip stuff from irrigationdirect and I was happy with it.

You can always use a partially closed shut-off valve right off of the pump if the pressure is too high at the dripper end.

I believe that will only slow water flow, I don't see how it could reduce pressure.

 

[CannaBunkerMan]

I believe that will only slow water flow, I don't see how it could reduce pressure.

Sorry, that's what I meant. Pressure isn't really a concern though, is it? Garden hoses don't ususally burst.

 

[Jungle.Microbes]

I've used the 700 g p h mag drive on a 9 foot lift with pressure compensating dripping emitters. Which ran pretty weak considering the 75 drippers I had connected. But it did work, if i ran half the drippers or half the head feet it would of worked great. I got my pump from amazon but the prices have went up a little since then.

4' isn't very high. I tried using small sump pumps but with the higher pressure, pressure compensating drip emitters eventually close off. I have never tried the mondi.

You will need pressure compensating drip emitters or all your water will go to the bottom plants and none will go to the top. I got my drip stuff from irrigationdirect and I was happy with it.

I believe that will only slow water flow, I don't see how it could reduce pressure.

I do have pressure compensating drippers, so that's good. If I were to raise the res and only need a 2' max lift, is there a smaller pump that would be better suited? I'm in the process of remodelling the grow room and was just presented as this as an option for more floor space.

Thanks everyone for the input

 

[budleydoright]

I think what you guys need is a pump that can handle back pressure and can create pressure. An impeller type pump will simply spin out once the pressure is too great. Much like trying to push air through your hoods with a desk fan instead of an inline fan designed to push and create pressure.

All of the drippers and irrigation supplies are designed for water pressure levels present at the hose bib, not from a fountain pump or gravity feed.

This shureflo pump has 100 feet of lift, 50 psi 200 gph and is 100 bucks:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200249074_200249074?cm _mmc=Google-pla-_-Water%20Pumps-_-Utility%20Pumps-_-52067&ci_sku=52067&ci_gpa=pla& ci_kw={keyword}

 

[Jungle.Microbes]

so essentially you're saying the diaphragm style pumps are better for drip systems than impeller type pumps?

Thanks for that link budley, I found the same pump on amazon for a few bucks cheaper also. I'll post back with my results

 

[AOD2012]

I use a flotec 1/6 hp utility pump. Works great for me. I have a three level stadium that is about 3.5 feet off the ground.



aod

 

[budleydoright]

so essentially you're saying the diaphragm style pumps are better for drip systems than impeller type pumps?

Thanks for that link budley, I found the same pump on amazon for a few bucks cheaper also. I'll post back with my results

I'm suggesting that they are, but I have not used one for this purpose. My experience with high lift pumps is with water cooled Co2 generators, which require household pressure levels to function. Low volume, high pressure. An impeller pump will simply spin out once the pressure builds. this pump will make your garden hose hard, and provide pressure from the 1st to the last dripper on the line. These drippers and irrigation parts are also designed for city water pressure levels that are typical at a hose bib.

I would also suggest a pressure relief be used as well. Just a T off of the main line with some sort of flow control returning water to the rez will do. This will keep your rez stirred up as well. Reduce the flow on the bypass enough to provide the pressure required on your drippers. Constant high pressure on these pumps will wear them out prematurely.

Impeller fountain pumps are nice for high volume low pressure.

Yes, please do post your results, I believe using a proper pump will make these drip irrigation systems work as well indoors as out.

 

[ogatec2]

I use a flotec 1/6 hp utility pump. Works great for me. I have a three level stadium that is about 3.5 feet off the ground.



aod

+1 i have 3 and have been using 1 for 5 yrs now.. no problems and they are easy to get @ home depot or n.t.

harbor freight also carries the exact same pump under their house brand for cheaper...


i run a 36 site open-hose setup with these with no pressure problems(plus an anti-siphon hole) so any dripper style should also work..

if u are worried abt over pressure, an inline pressure regulator can be had for around $5 @ home depot

 

[Hammerhead]

depending on the size of the pump lets take the mag 9.5. I would not put the pump in the rez it will heat up the water to much. You will need some bulkhead fillings and plumb the pump to run on the out side of the rez. You can place the bulkhead within 1" of the bottom. If the rez is elevated the bulkhead can be placed right in the center on the bottom and have no water left in the rez..

 

[TranceAddictT7]

Check this out:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200249074_200249074?cm_mmc=Google-pla-_-Water%20Pumps-_-Utility%20Pumps-_-52067&ci_sku=52067&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw={keyword}

200 gph but tons of pressure. This is the same type of pump an rv uses to pump water from the tank. Your drippers need pressure not volume.

Don't use this pump. I made the mistake of buying one and it is complete garbage not designed at all for drip irrigation. These types of pumps build up pressure quickly and shut off. When the lines (drippers) are open they can supply as much pressure as an 8 year old blowing bubbles from soap. The 40psi they get up to is misleading as these pumps can't put out 40 psi continuously, which is what drip irrigation needs. Specially if you're using pressure compensating drippers.