Drip Systems And Hydroponics
Drip systems are great systems for operations of all sizes and they are pretty simple to set up. I will admit they are not the most exciting systems mostly because they work exactly the same essentially regardless if you are growing in soil or hydroponically.
Now when it comes to drip systems there are two major types that basically boils down to if you have a circulating or recirculating systems. If you want to get specific there are point-source emitters, in-line drip emitters, basin bubblers, and micro-spray sprinklers. These all change how the plant receives the water and nutrients but can be used in a set-up based around either reusing your nutrient solution or disposing of the drainage.
For the purpose of the article i will be speaking specifically in terms of a hydroponic drip system but as i had said earlier the design is the same in both soil based growing and hydroponics.
To start off you will need to create a water way to deliver the water to your plants. When doing this it will be custom to your setup but there are some rules that will maximize your efficiency. The piping should be symmetrical to ensure that resources are equally distributed and that water pressure is maintained.
Once this frame is built you will need to create drip liens to each of your plants. These systems tend to clog after repeated use so try to clear your pipes after every harvest.
You can use hydrochloric acid and put it in the main pipeline. You should let it run for about an hour to ensure everything is properly clear. The next step is marking where on the pipe you will be placing your drip pipes, also known as spaghetti pipe, and making your holes.
I find this process is easier if you take a pair of pliers to make it otherwise you will strain your hands trying to make it. I’ve seen people do this in a few ways but the basic idea is that you want to make the hole at the top as center as you can get it.
There is a special tool that will make the hole the perfect size just ask at your local grow store. You then attach a nipple into the hole. This can be a little tricky sometimes and I find dish soap or baby oil help get them in place without having to use too much force.
Then you attach the spaghetti pipe to the mainline via the nipple and bring the other end to your plant. Then you can secure the drip line facing your plant with a dripper stake.
I have a few more tips to keep in mind while you set up your grow station. First try to keep the main pipeline in the center of your plants and keep a symmetrical shape. So circles, rectangles, and squares for the most part.
This does not mean that they have to be these shapes as long as the system has symmetry but I do find that I prefer these shapes to more unconventional designs.
Next, in most cases you will have to create all the holes and cut your piping to fit your own design. This will create debris in your pipes and it is best to flush them before you start your first crop or else the pipes will likely clog at very crucial times.
My final tip would be to make sure that your pump is strong enough to support your pipeline. This is relatively simple: you can take the area of your grow tray, multiply it by 20 and take a pump with that many GPH on the pump. It is okay to go above this number but be careful not to go too high because you can create a lot of strain on your system if the water is coming too fast. This leads to leaks or the pipeline coming apart which would turn your grow room into an aquarium.