please help - show me the best auto water!!! Do you know a better way, Do they work well ? Capillary Mat Systems

Rocket Soul · Apr 14, 2024

I think youre missing the PPK system from the list: not only is it auto watering but also auto draining, making sure you can flood your pot several times a day.
Look into postings by delta9 / greyfader (same guy who lost his old account).
Its something youd have to diy though.

acespicoli · Jun 11, 2024

Know Your Threads Print

Modified on: Wed, 16 Jan, 2019 at 4:12 PM

Drip irrigation parts and components are connected together using different methods, one of which is by threaded connections. A garden hose connected to a hose bib (sometimes referred to as a spigot) is a simple example of this type of connection.

Threaded connectors are available in two options, one option has a male threaded end and the other option has a female threaded end. You can see the difference just by taking a look at them; if the ridges are raised and prominent on the outside, it is a male connector. If the ridges are on an inside surface, they are female threads. As an example, the spigot outside your home has male threads and the hose that you attach to the spigot will then have female threads allowing you to screw one onto the other making a tight, leak-free connection.

What Types of Fittings are Available?

Of the threaded connectors, the fitting can be either hose thread or pipe thread depending on the application. Hose threads are almost always the same size, ¾”. Whereas pipe threads can vary greatly from one manufacturer to another and one system to another as well. Pipe threads found in drip irrigation systems are usually between ½” to 1".

Hose threads and pipe threads are not compatible with each other and cannot be interchanged with systems using one or the other. Just as only male and female threaded fittings can be used together, certain sizes of pipe threads can only be used with those sizes that fit appropriately and adapters must be used otherwise.

Common acronym designations have been adopted to easily describe the different types of fittings:

MHT = Male Hose Thread

FHT = Female Hose Thread

MPT= Male Pipe Thread

FPT = Female Pipe Thread

As we mentioned earlier, hose thread sizes are usually all ¾” so you may not always see this number after the MHT or FHT designations. Pipe thread sizes will always have the size clearly marked on the fitting and this includes specialty pipe thread fittings that have a different size fitting on each end. For these, you will see descriptive markings for each end showing exactly what size fitting you have. An example would be: ½ MPT x ¾ FHT refers to an item which has ½” Male Pipe Threads on one end and ¾” Female Hose Threads on the other end.

How Do These Fittings Work?

Now that we know about the different types of threaded fittings, it is important to know how they work. For a hose thread connection to make a tight bond, pressure is applied to a washer seated within the female fitting and all that is needed to create this pressure is hand-tightening of the fittings. Pipe threads, for their watertight seal, have slightly tapered threaded ends that when screwed together tightly create the bond. It is recommended to use Teflon tape and a wrench to tighten the seal.

You will find a variety of drip irrigation parts in both pipe thread or hose thread fittings. Drip Depot carries a wide array of drip irrigation components in standard hose thread fittings so they can be easily attached to any garden hose and used within minutes of set-up. We also carry a full line of adapters to be used with other drip irrigation components that have either pipe thread fittings or any other type of fitting on the market.

As always, Drip Depot staff is available to assist you in obtaining the right items to make the right connections for your particular drip irrigation system. We love getting feedback, so please feel free to share your experiences on this topic, whether or not you found this article helpful, and if there are any specific topics you would like us to cover in the future

Know your Irrigation Thread Types

Drip irrigation parts and components are connected together using different methods, one of which is by threaded connections. A garden hose connected to a hose bib (sometimes referred to as a spigot) is a simple example of this type of connecti...

help.dripdepot.com

How to Connect Poly Tubing & Tape to PVC Pipe

There are many options available to convert a PVC pipe system to poly tubing or drip tape. The use of multiple adapter fittings is required. A few examples are noted below in the illustrations. Here is a helpful video: https://youtu.be/M15Lpin...

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One of the better irrigation sites

acespicoli · Oct 15, 2024

Tonicity concept related to the transport of water towards the more concentrated aqueous solution (osmotic transport): In isotonic solutions, water flows equally into and out of the cell (equilibrium). In hypertonic solutions water flows out of the cell and the cell shrinks (plasmolysis). In hypotonic solutions, water flows into the cell and the cell swells (turgescence).

Osmotic shock - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Osmotic shock or osmotic stress is physiologic dysfunction caused by a sudden change in the solute concentration around a cell, which causes a rapid change in the movement of water across its cell membrane. Under hypertonic conditions - conditions of high concentrations of either salts, substrates or any solute in the supernatant - water is drawn out of the cells through osmosis. This also inhibits the transport of substrates and cofactors into the cell thus “shocking” the cell. Alternatively, under hypotonic conditions - when concentrations of solutes are low - water enters the cell in large amounts, causing it to swell and either burst or undergo apoptosis.[1]

All organisms have mechanisms to respond to osmotic shock, with sensors and signal transduction networks providing information to the cell about the osmolarity of its surroundings;[2] these signals activate responses to deal with extreme conditions.[3] Cells that have a cell wall tend to be more resistant to osmotic shock because their cell wall enables them to maintain their shape.[4] Although single-celled organisms are more vulnerable to osmotic shock, since they are directly exposed to their environment, cells in large animals such as mammals still suffer these stresses under some conditions.[5] Current research also suggests that osmotic stress in cells and tissues may significantly contribute to many human diseases.[6]

In eukaryotes, calcium acts as one of the primary regulators of osmotic stress. Intracellular calcium levels rise during hypo-osmotic and hyper-osmotic stresses.

Recovery and tolerance mechanisms

[edit]

For hyper-osmotic stress

Calcium plays a large role in the recovery and tolerance for both hyper and hypo-osmotic stress situations. Under hyper-osmotic stress conditions, increased levels of intracellular calcium are exhibited. This may play a crucial role in the activation of second messenger pathways.[7]

One example of a calcium activated second messenger molecule is MAP Kinase Hog-1. It is activated under hyper-osmotic stress conditions[8] and is responsible for an increase in the production of glycerol within the cell succeeding osmotic stress. More specifically, it works by sending signals to the nucleus that activate genes responsible for glycerol production and uptake.[8]

For hypo-osmotic stress

Hypo-osmotic stress recovery is largely mediated by the influx and efflux of several ions and molecules. Cell recovery after hypo-osmotic stress has shown to be consistent with an influx of extracellular Calcium.[9] This influx of calcium may alter the cell's permeability.[9]

Additionally, in some organisms the efflux of amino acids associated with hypo-osmotic stress can be inhibited by phenothiazines. [9]

Hypo-osmotic stress is correlated with extracellular ATP release. ATP is used to activate purinergic receptors.[10] These receptors regulate sodium and potassium levels on either side of the cell membrane.

acespicoli · Oct 15, 2024

"Osmolarity" redirects here. Not to be confused with Osmolality.
Osmotic concentration, formerly known as osmolarity,[1] is the measure of solute concentration, defined as the number of osmoles (Osm) of solute per litre (L) of solution (osmol/L or Osm/L). The osmolarity of a solution is usually expressed as Osm/L (pronounced "osmolar"), in the same way that the molarity of a solution is expressed as "M" (pronounced "molar"). Whereas molarity measures the number of moles of solute per unit volume of solution, osmolarity measures the number of osmoles of solute particles per unit volume of solution.[2] This value allows the measurement of the osmotic pressure of a solution and the determination of how the solvent will diffuse across a semipermeable membrane (osmosis) separating two solutions of different osmotic concentration.

Molality - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Bulk density - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Soil has four important functions:

as a medium for plant growth
as a means of water storage, supply, and purification
as a modifier of Earth's atmosphere
as a habitat for organisms

All of these functions, in their turn, modify the soil and its properties.

Osmosis - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

acespicoli · Oct 15, 2024

Dry bulk density = mass of soil/ volume as a whole

$\rho _{b}={\frac {M_{s}}{V_{t}}}$

Wet bulk density = mass of soil plus liquids/ volume as a whole

$\rho _{t}={\frac {M_{t}}{V_{t}}}$

The dry bulk density of a soil is inversely related to the porosity of the same soil: the more pore space in a soil the lower the value for bulk density. Bulk density of a region in the interior of the Earth is also related to the seismic velocity of waves travelling through it: for P-waves, this has been quantified with Gardner's relation. The higher the density, the faster the velocity.

Properties

[edit]
Biofilms are usually found on solid substrates submerged in or exposed to an aqueous solution, although they can form as floating mats on liquid surfaces and also on the surface of leaves, particularly in high humidity climates. Given sufficient resources for growth, a biofilm will quickly grow to be macroscopic (visible to the naked eye). Biofilms can contain many different types of microorganism, e.g. bacteria, archaea, protozoa, fungi and algae; each group performs specialized metabolic functions. However, some organisms will form single-species films under certain conditions. The social structure (cooperation/competition) within a biofilm depends highly on the different species present.[40]

Extracellular matrix

[edit]

Scanning electron micrograph of mixed-culture biofilm, demonstrating in detail a spatially heterogeneous arrangement of bacterial cells and extracellular polymeric substances.
The EPS matrix consists of exopolysaccharides, proteins and nucleic acids.[41][42][43] A large proportion of the EPS is more or less strongly hydrated, however, hydrophobic EPS also occur; one example is cellulose[44] which is produced by a range of microorganisms. This matrix encases the cells within it and facilitates communication among them through biochemical signals as well as gene exchange. The EPS matrix also traps extracellular enzymes and keeps them in close proximity to the cells. Thus, the matrix represents an external digestion system and allows for stable synergistic microconsortia of different species.[45] Some biofilms have been found to contain water channels that help distribute nutrients and signalling molecules.[46] This matrix is strong enough that under certain conditions, biofilms can become fossilized (stromatolites).

Bacteria living in a biofilm usually have significantly different properties from free-floating bacteria of the same species, as the dense and protected environment of the film allows them to cooperate and interact in various ways.[47] One benefit of this environment is increased resistance to detergents and antibiotics, as the dense extracellular matrix and the outer layer of cells protect the interior of the community.[48][49] In some cases antibiotic resistance can be increased up to 5,000 times.[50] Lateral gene transfer is often facilitated within bacterial and archaeal biofilms[51] and can leads to a more stable biofilm structure.[52] Extracellular DNA is a major structural component of many different microbial biofilms.[53] Enzymatic degradation of extracellular DNA can weaken the biofilm structure and release microbial cells from the surface.

However, biofilms are not always less susceptible to antibiotics. For instance, the biofilm form of Pseudomonas aeruginosa has no greater resistance to antimicrobials than do stationary-phase planktonic cells, although when the biofilm is compared to logarithmic-phase planktonic cells, the biofilm does have greater resistance to antimicrobials. This resistance to antibiotics in both stationary-phase cells and biofilms may be due to the presence of persister cells.[54]

Habitats

[edit]

Mats of bacterial biofilm color the hot springs in Yellowstone National Park. The longest raised mat area is about half a meter long.

Thermophilic bacteria in the outflow of Mickey Hot Springs, Oregon, approximately 20 mm thick.
Biofilms are ubiquitous in organic life. Nearly every species of microorganism have mechanisms by which they can adhere to surfaces and to each other. Biofilms will form on virtually every non-shedding surface in non-sterile aqueous or humid environments. Biofilms can grow in the most extreme environments: from, for example, the extremely hot, briny waters of hot springs ranging from very acidic to very alkaline, to frozen glaciers.

Biofilms can be found on rocks and pebbles at the bottoms of most streams or rivers and often form on the surfaces of stagnant pools of water. Biofilms are important components of food chains in rivers and streams and are grazed by the aquatic invertebrates upon which many fish feed. Biofilms are found on the surface of and inside plants. They can either contribute to crop disease or, as in the case of nitrogen-fixing rhizobia on root nodules, exist symbiotically with the plant.[55] Examples of crop diseases related to biofilms include citrus canker, Pierce's disease of grapes, and bacterial spot of plants such as peppers and tomatoes.[56]

Percolating filters

[edit]
Percolating filters in sewage treatment works are highly effective removers of pollutants from settled sewage liquor. They work by trickling the liquid over a bed of hard material which is designed to have a very large surface area. A complex biofilm develops on the surface of the medium which absorbs, adsorbs and metabolises the pollutants. The biofilm grows rapidly and when it becomes too thick to retain its grip on the media it washes off and is replaced by newly grown film. The washed off ("sloughed" off) film is settled out of the liquid stream to leave a highly purified effluent.[57]

Slow sand filter

[edit]
Slow sand filters are used in water purification for treating raw water to produce a potable product. They work through the formation of a biofilm called the hypogeal layer or Schmutzdecke in the top few millimetres of the fine sand layer. The Schmutzdecke is formed in the first 10–20 days of operation[58] and consists of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, rotifera and a range of aquatic insect larvae. As an epigeal biofilm ages, more algae tend to develop and larger aquatic organisms may be present including some bryozoa, snails and annelid worms. The surface biofilm is the layer that provides the effective purification in potable water treatment, the underlying sand providing the support medium for this biological treatment layer. As water passes through the hypogeal layer, particles of foreign matter are trapped in the mucilaginous matrix and soluble organic material is adsorbed. The contaminants are metabolised by the bacteria, fungi and protozoa. The water produced from an exemplary slow sand filter is of excellent quality with 90–99% bacterial cell count reduction.[59]

Rhizosphere

[edit]
Plant-beneficial microbes can be categorized as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria.[60] These plant growth-promoters colonize the roots of plants, and provide a wide range of beneficial functions for their host including nitrogen fixation, pathogen suppression, anti-fungal properties, and the breakdown of organic materials.[61] One of these functions is the defense against pathogenic, soil-borne bacteria and fungi by way of induced systemic resistance (ISR)[62] or induced systemic responses triggered by pathogenic microbes (pathogen-induced systemic acquired resistance).[63] Plant exudates act as chemical signals for host specific bacteria to colonize.[64] Rhizobacteria colonization steps include attractions, recognition, adherence, colonization, and growth.[61] Bacteria that have been shown to be beneficial and form biofilms include Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Azospirillum.[65][66] Biofilms in the rhizosphere often result in pathogen or plant induced systemic resistances. Molecular properties on the surface of the bacterium cause an immune response in the plant host.[64] These microbe associated molecules interact with receptors on the surface of plant cells, and activate a biochemical response that is thought to include several different genes at a number of loci.[64] Several other signaling molecules have been linked to both induced systemic responses and pathogen-induced systemic responses, such as jasmonic acid and ethylene.[61] Cell envelope components such as bacterial flagella and lipopolysaccharides, which are recognized by plant cells as components of pathogens.[67] Certain iron metabolites produced by Pseudomonas have also been shown to create an induced systemic response.[64] This function of the biofilm helps plants build stronger resistance to pathogens.

Plants that have been colonized by PGPR forming a biofilm have gained systemic resistances and are primed for defense against pathogens. This means that the genes necessary for the production of proteins that work towards defending the plant against pathogens have been expressed, and the plant has a "stockpile" of compounds to release to fight off pathogens.[64] A primed defense system is much faster in responding to pathogen induced infection, and may be able to deflect pathogens before they are able to establish themselves.[68] Plants increase the production of lignin, reinforcing cell walls and making it difficult for pathogens to penetrate into the cell, while also cutting off nutrients to already infected cells, effectively halting the invasion.[61] They produce antimicrobial compounds such as phytoalexins, chitinases, and proteinase inhibitors, which prevent the growth of pathogens.[63] These functions of disease suppression and pathogen resistance ultimately lead to an increase in agricultural production and a decrease in the use of chemical pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides because there is a reduced amount of crop loss due to disease.[69] Induced systemic resistance and pathogen-induced systemic acquired resistance are both potential functions of biofilms in the rhizosphere, and should be taken into consideration when applied to new age agricultural practices because of their effect on disease suppression without the use of dangerous chemicals.

Layout-of-the-trial-wicking-bed-left-photographs-of-plants-growing-inside-the.png

acespicoli · Oct 19, 2024

Soil horizon - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

acespicoli · Oct 19, 2024

Characteristics of rapid and slow sand filters[6]

Characteristics	Rapid sand filter	Slow sand filter
Filtration rate [m/h]	5–15	0.08–0.25
Media effective size [mm]	0.5–1.2	0.15–0.30
Bed depth [m]	0.6–1.9	0.9–1.5
Run length	1–4 days	1–6 months
Ripening period	15 min – 2 h	Several days
Regeneration method	Backwashing	Scraping
Maximum raw-water turbidity	Unlimited with proper pretreatment	10 NTU

Sand filter - Wikipedia

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Rapid sand filter - Wikipedia

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Drippy Sally · Oct 19, 2024

acespicoli said:
All sieve cells have groups of pores at their ends that grow from modified and enlarged plasmodesmata, called sieve areas. The pores are reinforced by platelets of a polysaccharide called callose.[10]

Callose - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Sieve tube element - Wikipedia

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Vascular tissue is a complex conducting tissue, formed of more than one cell type, found in vascular plants. The primary components of vascular tissue are the xylem and phloem. These two tissues transport fluid and nutrients internally. There are also two meristems associated with vascular tissue:
View attachment 19084394
the vascular cambium and the
View attachment 19084395
cork cambium.
All the vascular tissues within a particular plant together
constitute the vascular tissue system of that plant.
View attachment 19084396

Plant
In plants, ATP synthase is also present in chloroplasts (CF1FO-ATP synthase). The enzyme is integrated into thylakoid membrane; the CF1-part sticks into stroma, where dark reactions of photosynthesis (also called the light-independent reactions or the Calvin cycle) and ATP synthesis take place. The overall structure and the catalytic mechanism of the chloroplast ATP synthase are almost the same as those of the bacterial enzyme. However, in chloroplasts, the proton motive force is generated not by respiratory electron transport chain but by primary photosynthetic proteins. The synthase has a 40-aa insert in the gamma-subunit to inhibit wasteful activity when dark.[31]
View attachment 19084403
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATP_synthase
View attachment 19084397
Cross section of celery stalk, showing vascular bundles, which include both phloem and xylem

Vascular tissue - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

acespicoli · Oct 19, 2024

Drippy Sally said:
View attachment 19086249

Lucky horse shoes and smiles :huggg:

ty

acespicoli · Oct 19, 2024

Finite water-content vadose zone flow method solution of the Soil Moisture Velocity Equation. In the case of uniform initial soil water content and deep, well-drained soil, some excellent approximate methods exist to solve the infiltration flux for a single rainfall event. Among these are the Green and Ampt (1911)[9] method, Parlange et al. (1982).[10] Beyond these methods, there are a host of empirical methods such as SCS method, Horton's method, etc., that are little more than curve fitting exercises.

General hydrologic budget

The general hydrologic budget, with all the components, with respect to infiltration F. Given all the other variables and infiltration is the only unknown, simple algebra solves the infiltration question.

$F=B_{I}+P-E-T-ET-S-I_{A}-R-B_{O}$

where

F is infiltration, which can be measured as a volume or length;

$B_{I}$

is the boundary input, which is essentially the output watershed from adjacent, directly connected impervious areas;

$B_{O}$

is the boundary output, which is also related to surface runoff, R, depending on where one chooses to define the exit point or points for the boundary output;P is precipitation;E is evaporation;T is transpiration;ET is evapotranspiration;S is the storage through either retention or detention areas;

$I_{A}$

is the initial abstraction, which is the short-term surface storage such as puddles or even possibly detention ponds depending on size;R is surface runoff.
The only note on this method is one must be wise about which variables to use and which to omit, for doubles can easily be encountered. An easy example of double counting variables is when the evaporation, E, and the transpiration, T, are placed in the equation as well as the evapotranspiration, ET. ET has included in it T as well as a portion of E. Interception also needs to be accounted for, not just raw precipitation.

acespicoli · Oct 19, 2024

Water content

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Soil composition by Volume and Mass, by phase: air, water, void (pores filled with water or air), soil, and total.
Water content or moisture content is the quantity of water contained in a material, such as soil (called soil moisture), rock, ceramics, crops, or wood. Water content is used in a wide range of scientific and technical areas, and is expressed as a ratio, which can range from 0 (completely dry) to the value of the materials' porosity at saturation. It can be given on a volumetric or mass (gravimetric) basis.

Definitions

Volumetric water content, θ, is defined mathematically as:
wet

$\theta ={\frac {V_{w}}{V_{\text{wet}}}}$

where

$V_{w}$

is the volume of water
and

$V_{\text{wet}}=V_{s}+V_{w}+V_{a}$

is equal to the total volume of the wet material,
i.e. of the sum of the volume of solid host material
(e.g., soil particles, vegetation tissue)

$V_{s}$

, of water

$V_{w}$

, and of air

$V_{a}$

.

Legalcdn · Oct 21, 2024

Expandable Sip design. Passive.

About — Alaska Grow Buckets

www.alaskagrowbuckets.com

acespicoli · Oct 22, 2024

Anaerobic organism - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

An anaerobic organism or anaerobe is any organism that does not require molecular oxygen for growth. It may react negatively or even die if free oxygen is present. In contrast, an aerobic organism (aerobe) is an organism that requires an oxygenated environment. Anaerobes may be unicellular (e.g. protozoans,[1] bacteria [2]) or multicellular.[3] Most fungi are obligate aerobes, requiring oxygen to survive. However, some species, such as the Chytridiomycota that reside in the rumen of cattle, are obligate anaerobes; for these species, anaerobic respiration is used because oxygen will disrupt their metabolism or kill them. The sea floor is possibly one of the largest accumulation of anaerobic organisms on our planet, where microbes are primarily concentrated around hydrothermal vents. These microbes produce energy in absence of sunlight or oxygen through a process called chemosynthesis, whereby inorganic compounds such as hydrogen gas, hydrogen sulfide or ferrous ions are converted into organic matter.

Anaerobic respiration and its end products can facilitate symbiosis between anaerobes and aerobes.

Ca++ · Oct 22, 2024

Legalcdn said:
Expandable Sip design. Passive.

About — Alaska Grow Buckets

www.alaskagrowbuckets.com

I should add this to my F&D buckets. A way of keeping a minimum water level. I literally have them buckets plumbed already, except the float, and a pipe to the tank. I must give this serious thought. My tiny tiny recirc pump clogged just this week. It didn't have the power to churn on, when the stodge got between the rotor and pump body. Leaving me to find a fuel filter for the fines.

I do like F&D buckets. It's kinda like sip, as you have a pot with a small res below it. Instead of capillary action though, you get the flood. With it's oxygenation benefits. Also it can be run sterile, with loose media. Add to this that the water in the sip is exchanged every few hours, not just topped up, and it's a fair few advances on the passive system alone. Though of no real use to soil growers, and even with coco, it's missing the point. F&D pebbles is aeroponics. I have not found anything to get within 10% of it.

please help - show me the best auto water!!! Do you know a better way, Do they work well ? Capillary Mat Systems

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Know Your Threads Print ​

What Types of Fittings are Available?​

How Do These Fittings Work?​

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Recovery and tolerance mechanisms​

For hyper-osmotic stress​

For hypo-osmotic stress​

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See also​

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Plant​

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There are a lot of ways to grow crops so why grow in deep water?​

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Properties​

Extracellular matrix​

Habitats​

Percolating filters​

Slow sand filter​

Rhizosphere​

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Characteristics of rapid and slow sand filters[6]​

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Plant​

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General hydrologic budget​

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Water content​

Definitions​

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Well-known member

Well-known member

Know Your Threads Print

What Types of Fittings are Available?

How Do These Fittings Work?

Recovery and tolerance mechanisms

For hyper-osmotic stress

For hypo-osmotic stress

See also

Plant

There are a lot of ways to grow crops so why grow in deep water?

Properties

Extracellular matrix

Habitats

Percolating filters

Slow sand filter

Rhizosphere

Characteristics of rapid and slow sand filters[6]

Plant

General hydrologic budget

Water content

Definitions