(Part 3) Best automatic irrigation equipment according to redditors

I plugged my circular saw into a GFCI extension cord:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/GFCI-Inline-Power-Extension-Cord-3-Outlets-25-FT-Cord/603339349

Then trickled water in front of the blade with some irrigation drip line:

https://www.amazon.com/Barbed-Adapter-Drip-Irrigation-Systems/dp/B01986DKXK

This is what I currently use for (12) Five gallon fabric pots.

KORAM 100ft 1/4" Irrigation

Sioux Chief Mini Rester - I stopped using this because my faucet is not secure 100% and it adds unnecessary tension at an angle. Not sure if the winter caused my faucet to bust or damage from the tension over the summer, so I opted out this year. I think I'm okay, who knows.

Programmable Timer

2 Way Splitter

Bought a 25ft hose from Lowes to give the irrigation tub some extra length.

This is basically what I use...

The basics:

• Tote for your res
  
  
• Digital timer
  
  
• Pump
  
  
• Manifold (has an assortment of flow rate inserts so you can set it up how you want)
  
  
• fitting to attach hose from pump to manifold
  
  
• pump-to-manifold tubing
  
  
• Drip tubing
  
  Extras, that make things nice and easy:
  
  
• FloraFlex cap for even distribution through the medium
  
  
• Floraflex clips to hold the drip lines in place
  
  
  If you feed drain-to-waste, you'll want to come up with some way to collect runoff. Maybe something like THIS small HD tote, with a few holes drilled through the top. Just set your plant on top and it will collect all your runoff.

Thanks! I have done some research and found the same. Do you think this one would work for a fridge https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01G4XK11O/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?smid=A32C9H60XM6JNX&psc=1

Thanks! Not any guide in particular, but cobbled together ideas from a few, mostly from this awesome Instructable

I did find a cheap(ish) lazy watering system that made the plumbing a lot easier, and most of it off amazon as I don't have many good hardware stores near me and absolutely no room for serious carpentry or plumbing (1 bed flat in Central London...). Links are below though:

Solar Powered Waterpump - £20

Recycled Plastic Container - £15

Recycled Plastic 15 Litre Plant Pots - £10 for 12

Reusable Nylon Fine Mesh Food Strainer - £30 for 5

Hozelock Easy Drip Micro Kit - £30 for 15 drippers

Vermiculite - £40 for 100l (waaaaay too big, I miscalculated here!)

Perlite - £20 for 100l (again...)

Probably worth saying I intend to extend the system with a second setup so I had to 'overbuy' components... I'd estimate that the total cost of the components for the system in the video was roughly £70, which, given that I had to use amazon for everything, and most of it is reusable, I'm not too upset about!

No worries, it's a little bit of a faff to start off with, figuring out what connectors you need and the like, but pretty easy to use once you know what you're doing and get it set up. I attach mine to an external tap so just used standard garden hose adaptors from a garden centre to fit mine. Think I used one of these pressure reducers to connect the wider garden hose to the narrow hose the filter uses.

I think the bit I find hardest is trying to get it undone and then done up again tightly enough when I have to change the cartridge as I'm a weakling (it leaks slightly if it's not done up tight enough). That and remembering to go check how full the bottle I'm filling is...

Like so? https://www.amazon.com/Drip-Depot-assembly-Marlex-Fitting/dp/B01986O64W

Cut out the hole and and a coupling. Due to coupling's length, you probably don't need to add any.

We are talking about the black, irrigation tube sold in rolls?

Here is an example coupling
Barbed 1/2" Tubing Conector for Drip Irrigation Systems- 5 Pack link:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01986D8NC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_.402Cb5G3E4SW

Good call. Something like this with a bit of extra funny pipe.
https://www.amazon.com/Drip-Depot-Global-Swing-Adapter/dp/B01BE4DSEK/


Is most of the funny pipe they run to sprinkler heads this same size? Just unsure of what sized barbed connector I'd need (if there are different options). House was new, cheap, construction, circa 2011.

DIY all the way.

You have two watering areas. front and rear. Front has three sections, rear has two. You will most likely need two timers, unless you can bring a hose from the front to the back.

I just rebuilt my irrigation system to drip. 4 raised beds, 20x 5 gallon buckets, and hopefully more soon. Let me know if you have any questions on this, just doing a data dump here.

I am assuming your water comes from a hose. Get a cheap hose timer, (i'm just going to link to some simple stuff on amazon, not the exact thing you should buy, you can get a lot at home depot and it might be cheaper there) https://www.amazon.com/Orbit-Single-Programmable-Standard-Packaging/dp/B004INGS8S you will probably need two.

Get some 1/2" irrigation tubing. This will run the majority of water. Think of this as the main line. https://www.amazon.com/Rain-Bird-T70-50S-Irrigation-Distribution/dp/B00J9Q2TC8/ref=sr_1_4?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1521909237&sr=1-4&keywords=1%2F2+inch+irrigation+tubing

You will need a hole punch (this was a lot cheaper at home depot) https://www.amazon.com/Drip-Irrigation-Standard-Tubing-Punch/dp/B0035LSREW/ref=sr_1_5?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1521909306&sr=1-5&keywords=1%2F2+inch+irrigation+tubing+hole+punch

Then you will need the smaller tubing. This will bring the water from the main 1/2" line to each plant. https://www.amazon.com/KORAM-Irrigation-Distribution-Tubing-Watering/dp/B013WJYKZQ/ref=sr_1_5?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1521909338&sr=1-5&keywords=drip+irrigation+tubing

Then you will need some emitters. There are a ton of options, I would recommend going to home depot to browse. https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=a9_asi_1?rh=i%3Alawngarden%2Ck%3Adrip+irrigation+emmiters&keywords=drip+irrigation+emmiters&ie=UTF8&qid=1521909391

For my emitters I use mostly drip but in a couple areas I use sprayers.

You are going to need some other random parts, and will need to take trips to the hardware store for them because if you are like me you measure once and cut twice. You might need T connectors, you will need the adapter to fit the hose to your water times, maybe a pressure regulator, and some hose terminators for the main line.

I am going to follow up with another comment on installation.

[edit] More detail on connectors

You will need the 3/4 to 1/2 connector. Check this list for a bunch of the connectors. I didn't need a pressure regulator because I have shit water pressure. But you might as too high water pressure is bad.

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Outdoors-Garden-Center-Watering-Irrigation-Drip-Irrigation-Drip-Irrigation-Fittings/N-5yc1vZbx4u

I have used the Mister Landscaper valves I got at Lowes but this is the same idea: https://www.amazon.com/Antelco-Barbed-Coupling-Irrigation-Systems/dp/B01986AZA6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1521844755&sr=8-3&keywords=drip+irrigation+valve+1%2F4"

I have all my 1/2" on the same zone so I have not shut offs there. One tee was all I needed.

We are looking at these things for our container plants: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HXXA6E6/r

They seem to be well reviewed, and upside down wine bottles look kinda cute in a classy/trashy kinda way, no?

I don't think so - it's this item:
https://www.amazon.com/Sprinkl-SR-301-Conserve/dp/B01I0I52U6/

And I don't see how it would fit in any of these categories:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=14113001

This looks like it should do the trick!

https://www.amazon.ca/Teekini-Irrigation-Venturi-Fertilizer-Injectors/dp/B01KO1BPGM/ref=asc_df_B01KO1BPGM/?tag=googlemobshop-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=292975503724&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13082987818208050884&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001299&hvtargid=pla-491855147986&psc=1

Thanks again

If its a small-ish pump, it will likely have a 1/2" barb fitting to connect Poly or PVC hose to it. Use PVC hose for small setups as its more flexible and easier to work with.


https://www.amazon.com/Koram-Irrigation-Tubing-Distribution-Diameter/dp/B01LSC84ME/


you can buy it in small lengths at hardware and garden stores if you just need less than 100ft, but its much cheaper by the roll if you will ever use it.


If you are only watering a few plants, just run the hose from the pump, and out next to your plants (within a few feet).


Then you poke driplines into the hose near each plant (I like the brown stuff from home depot, it seems to seat better: http://www.homedepot.com/p/DIG-1-4-in-x-100-ft-Vinyl-Micro-Drip-Tubing-B38100/100212036).


This is a pain until you get the hang of it - First cut a length of the dripline to get to your plant, then cut one end off at a sharp angle (at least 45deg) then you need something to poke a small hole in the PVC hose, I use a nail punch that has been sharpened to make puncturing the tubing easier. You poke a hole in the tubing at an angle toward the pump, then quickly (and forcefully) push the angled dripline end into the hole in the hose. it will seat the first time you run water through it.


put a drip stake at the end of each dripline like this-
https://www.amazon.com/Grodan-Dripper-Stake-Degree-Bag/dp/B008UFC0B4


repeat at each plant.



put a hose clamp on the hose where it attaches to the pump, and crimp the other end so water/nutrients dont just go rushing out the end. you can just fold the hose over a couple times and zip tie it, or get a 1/2" plug and a hose clamp.

https://www.amazon.com/Wyndham-House-Watering-Globe-Set/dp/B01M32CRKG/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=plant+waterer&qid=1565579554&s=gateway&sr=8-3 these plant waterers are made just for this situation!

Drain blaster won't cut it, even one of the larger ones, there's just too much bulk in a tshirt for the amount of power it has. The quick and dirty way you could get something possible of shooting a tshirt would be a sprinkler valve at least 1" bore or greater, and a tank of some sort.

You can easily power the solenoid with a 9v battery, increase voltage for faster activation, or modify the valve for much faster activation. Be aware that increasing DC voltage on the solenoid will quickly increase the current draw and you will reach the point where you'll overdraw alkaline or lower end rechargeable batteries.

PVC makes a super quick/easy tank, but you have to be conscious of the risks associated with a material that is rated for water pressure instead of air pressure. I personally will not recommend using it, but if you choose this route be sure to keep the pressure used well within the ratings on the pipe, probably under 50% of the operating pressure, and a sleeve over the pipe such as the leg from a pair of jeans would be a good precaution in case of a rupture.

Black steel pipe would work similarly to PVC, but with an enormously higher pressure rating and a much increased price tag and weight to go with it. This would be a combination of easy and safe.

You could use an emptied fire extinguisher for a much safer pressure vessel, though you must be aware of the differences in ratings between them. Water extinguishers will have the lowest rating, usually under 100psi, while a dry chemical extinguisher will be rated around 300psi, and CO2 extinguishers the highest at 900psi or more though they're also the most expensive. In my experience your "average" sized extinguishers use a 3/4" NPT thread, though your experience may vary depending on the size/type you look for.

Oh i was looking on my phone before. The retro-1800 model is a low flow sprayer head. Typically you see these in beds with drought resistant plants. These work fine but waste a little more water than drip tubing. This may be an easier way for you to lower your water out

Typically when someone says "drip irrigation" they mean tubes like this. Its the most efficient way to water the soil - there is much less wasted water. You just space the tubes as far apart as the emitters are spaced.

This tubing will work with the RCKIT. But it does not look like RCKIT includes a filter. The drip tubing gets clogged pretty easily so typically you put a filter like this inline after the valve and a flush valve that periodically flushes the drip tube of any sediment buildup. Both of thes would be placed in a small box. Sediment buildup and drip tubes clogging can be a big deal if you are using non-potable water like well water. It's not nearly as big of an issue for systems using potable water.

Are you having issues where the drip line connects to the main supply line? I am having the same issue so I am going to switch to pvc pipe and these:

Barb Tubing Coupling Adapter-Thread (1/4") x Barb 1/4"- 10 pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019866O1U/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_Osn-ybXV99Q40

Screws into the pipe so it doesn't leak as bad.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01EUU940M/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1465401998&sr=8-2&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=aqua+spikes&dpPl=1&dpID=51VG9ZSf1tL&ref=plSrch

Something like this might be cheap and easy.