water manifold!?

[iniganja]

i have searched the web inside and out but no luck. my local hydro store doesn't care the one i need. part 2 of the youtube video 'i grow chronic' it shows him using a manifold with a 1/2" connector and 6 1/4" drip line connectors. if anyone knows where to get one of these will you please let me know. someone somewhere has to make this thing.

[iniganja]

insight if ya could

[iniganja]

what are you guys using with your drip irrigation???

[rhizome]

Make up your own manifold outta 1/2" for the main line, w/ 1/4" double barbed connectors everywhere that you want to put a drip line. Any hydro stores gonna have the parts- shouldn't cost more'n a couple bucks to build.

Never seen one for sale- ya just make one to fit whatever your sys is.

[iniganja]

so i would have to get a 1/2" to 1/4" tee..right? or am i not getting this at all...

[iniganja]

...im confused now

[the image reaper]

most hardware stores carry that PVC irrigation tubing and fittings, nozzles, etc .... :smokin:

[iniganja]

its the actual set up-- the way i have it pictured you would need bout 7 tees...

[rletanx]

Try an irrigation site:

XBD-80 - Xeri-Birdâ?¢ 8 Multi-Outlet Emission Device (http://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/XBD-80-Xeri-Bird-8-Multi-Outlet-Emission-Device-p/xbd-80.htm)

or

XB-10-6 - Multi-Outlet Xeri-Bug (barb inlet) Black (http://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/XB-10-6-Multi-Outlet-Xeri-Bug-barb-inlet-Black-p/xb-10-6.htm)

[rletanx]

By the way you need to buy a connector from a hardware store to connect the tube to the 1/2' screw on the emitter. They should be around the tubes at any home depot or lowes. Hope that helps.

[rhizome]

OK- step by step instructions don't apply, as design is determined by application.

-Create a main manifold out of 1/2" poly hose. If you are running open 1/4" feeder hoses, or unregulated (basket) drip stakes, it is desirable to create a circuit ( say you've got 16 pots in a 4 pot by 4 pot square and you want to run open tube- it makes sense to make a square manifold, which will keep your feed pressure more regular) If you're using regulated emitters, it doesn't make any differance- You can just use a straight hose and plug the end that's not attached to the pump. Of course, you can also use elbows and tees as the spirit moves you.

- Punch 1/4" barbed connectors thru the 1/2" tube wherever you want to put in a feeder line. Do they have to be regular? Depends... Should I use tees? Maybe- they change flow in an unpressurized sys a lot, less @ +pressure, you might like the changes or not...Depends...

-Insert button drippers at the end of feed line if you're using button drippers, or not if you're not. Place emitters ( an open tube is also an emitter, by default- just a really coarse one) where you want them.

-Attach pump output to manifold, intake to res ( or drop it in if submersible), power pump, fix whatever needs fixing.

Anyway- If you're not using a regulated emitter, you want your 1/4" feeder tubes to be about the same length, so you have about the same flow rate to each pot. (Essentially, the 1/4" feed tube acts as the regulator, as it presents the most resistance to flow thru the system- ya know how you get better pressure thru a short garden hose than a long one. ) Differing lengths of 1/2" don't present the same issues, as they present less resistance to flow.

With an open-ended system, it is possible to get good balance just by bringing up the pressure, regardless of varying drag to each hose end- but you won't get balance that way until your capacity to build pressure within the system exceeds the capacity of the system to discharge pressure- with many open-ended 1/4" hoses, this is a whole load of water moving, much more than I can imagine you want.

Regulated emitters are much easier to, well, regulate. Button emitters work really well to give you the same flow from each emitter across the system- I highly rec them, unless you are using some a lot of organics, as they tend to clog the very fine apetures of the buton emitters.

Take a look at Dripworks Drip Irrigation Design Overview (http://www.dripworksusa.com/design.php) and look through their design tools and faqs- they're geared toward differant applications than I imagine you're thinking, but the design principles are the same.

Hope this helps.

[iniganja]

rhizome- thanks brother! i got it together now and works perfectly!

and everyone else i appreciate the enlightenment!