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Auto-Watering System: Trouble Shoot My Shopping List and Plans

Campesino

Campesino

Banned
As many of you know, I am working on a DIY auto-watering system. I have 6 plants. Planning to run a pump in a Res bucket, which can be elevated to reduce pump pressure. I already have a separate drainage system in place. This is Drain to waste.
Wondering if I need the ball valves, and how many (the emitters are adjustable, but might not adjust enough?). Also wondering about the suitability of the pump. Hoping to get about 1 quart per plant in 15 minutes using 2 emitters.
Shopping List:
Timer: Century Digital http://a.co/3zWY3rr
Pump: Homsay 320GPH http://a.co/0kt65Ko
½ in vinyl tubing: http://a.co/fLJ3EQn
Ball Valves: http://a.co/3YGDcMz
“T” Connectors: http://a.co/c0PBVqY
Emitters: http://a.co/g0cbz9I
Goof Plugs: http://a.co/dlWodDY

Current Shopping Cart total: $68.66
Grower Love to all and HAPPY 4/20!!!​
 

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Yeah that should suffice. I did an aeroponic grow many years ago and I used a super small bubble for a 5 gallons reservoir and a tiny pump to circulate the nutes. Post some pics once you build it, looks nice. Good luck!
 
My Schematic changed somewhat and I bought the tubing and connectors at a big box. The pumps arrived today from Amazon. The whole thing took 15 minutes to build and the initial test run in the shower was a complete success! This is going to work, but fine tuning it while they are on 12/12 lighting will be... Interesting.
After it is installed, I will update with more details!
 

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Pure guess! That was a part (one of many) that worried me.
The pump seems perfect. It is adjustable and I do not have to turn it up all the way. It is the pump linked in the original post.
All drippers seem to emit the same flow regardless of relative height. I have not tested that exactly, but it is close enough that the adjustments on the drippers themselves will solve. I forewent the ball-valves, but they can be added easily later if needed to control flow. It was ridiculously simple to put together.
Ordered one 10 gallon bucket for res, but found a better 14 gallon one and am waiting for it to arrive - http://a.co/5dFZFX1
Still need to solve the catchment issue... The saucer I am currently using is barely adequate to contain the run-off from one fertigation (word of the day). I need a pan that is 3" tall, 12" wide, up to 39" long... Or another pump to bucket. I don't have enough room to use more gravity on this grow!
 
I’m trying to work out what size pump I’ll need. Have you actually tested the pump? Keen to see how it went as I might get the same one
 
Yep, but just in the tub!
I thought the flow from the 12 drippers was a little low, but the pump did 6 quarts total in 2.5 minutes, which is faster than I was anticipating.
I did elevate various drippers to see if that affected them and it did not. I think there is good pressure in the system and it is flowing from the heads at their designed rate of flow.
Tried turning the pump all the way up and all the way down and very similar flow, so may be overkill. But it is tiny and cheap and seems perfect. So far I recommend!
 
Exactly what I use to change out my buckets in the net. Fast enough....any bigger and the pressure will straighten out the hose and spray it on the floor, if unattended. Would be nice to have a back up pump connected too. Extra measure of course but can't be too careful.
 
Alright... I got some leads! :)
I have been thinking about re-purposable trays and maybe having to build something. Also thinking about a moisture activated pump in the saucer to a bucket - but talk about potential problems ;)
Next grow I can raise them a couple inches and use a taller catchment. That is absolutely not an option right now though!
 
They make pumps like that for furnace/ac units to pump off the condensation if there's no drain near by. A small box with a pump in it, activated by a float switch.
 
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