Attention Customer's; Due to an enormous amount of spam we have locked the forum.
Instead please email us at Forum Questions with your questions. Once we review your question, we will post
your questions and our answer on the forum. We apologize for any inconvenience and
we value your opinions and your business.

Thank you, The Drip Store Staff

The Drip Store Forum Forum Index -> Home & Garden -> drip system for my 2nd floor balcony
	View previous topic :: View next topic

Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:20 am drip system for my 2nd floor balcony

kyakely Site Admin   Joined: 28 Feb 2004 Posts: 17 I would like to set up a drip system for my 2nd floor balcony. The balcony is about 50’ long and will have about 8 plants to be watered. I would like to run the tubing along the ceiling and tee each feeder line off to the plants. I have an existing sprinkler system on the lower level and I would like to run the drip system off that controller with a solenoid valve. My water pressure is 82 psi. The solenoid valve will be located on the lower level so I will need to overcome head pressure of about 20’, this will mean I will have about 70’ of tubing total, with the first 20’ or so not having any drip emitters. Will I need anything special to accomplish this, ie: pressure regulator, pressure balanced emitters. Thanks for your help, Mark

Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:22 am Our response:

kyakely Site Admin   Joined: 28 Feb 2004 Posts: 17 In reply to your e-mail regarding the use of a drip system on a balcony: This system is for different sizes of pots and containers, combined on the same system. This recommendation is with our suggestion of how to install the drippers or drip line together. Our suggestion is to run the 1/2" drip tubing from the water supply to the plants area and along the containers (assuming this system using some type of pots or containers). Near each pot or container insert a ¼" connector and use the ¼" micro tubing to deliver the water to the plant. Depending on the size of the pot or container add a dripper or ¼" drip line see detail recommendation Part list needed for this system: 1. 3/4" 24 VAC drip zone assembly model VA001. All parts included, from a 24 VAC FNPT in-line valve to a pressure regulator. This assembly uses a 3/4" 24 -VAC In-line valve, 3/4" "Y" filter, and adjustable pressure regulator. This unit can be used above the ground or inside an irrigation box. Connected this assembly to 3/4" PVC pipe and any 24 VAC controllers via standard electric wire for a drip system 2. To the regulator connect the 3/4" MPT x 1/2" adaptor model LF085 listed for $.51 each 3. To the adaptor connect the 1/2" drip tubing and run to the plants area. Use 50' 1/2" drip tubing model T004 or 100' 1/2" drip hose model T003. Using the 1/2" drip tubing allow for a system with up to 220 gallon per hour 4. Near each pot or container punch a hole into the 1/2" drip tubing and insert a ¼" barb model SF001or tee model SF003 ¼". To the barb or tee connect a ¼" micro tubing model T009 for model T028 for 100'. Insert the micro tubing by pushing and wiggling the micro tubing into the ¼" barb or tee. Run the micro tubing to the container. 5. Inside the container attach a ¼" ball valve model A018. This ball valve will allow you to have a good control on flow rate for the container. As the system is running and the container begin to drain, you can adjust the flow using the ball valve to make sure that all the containers will drain at the same time. 6. For small pots use the following: To the end of the ¼", and for each basket of up to 8" in diameter add .5 GPH model D005 or 1 GPH dripper and secure with a stake model S003. For basket larger then 8" and up to 12": in the basket instead of the dripper, add a ¼" tee model SF003, to each side of the tee add a 3" to 5" micro tube, and to the end of the two micro tubes add a .5 GPH dripper. For basket or containers larger then 12" or for a very long containers, inside the basket instead of the dripper, add a ¼" tee model SF003. To the tee connect the ¼" drip line model T046 or the ¼" laser drilled soaker hose model T012. Make a loop around the basket or containers, if needed have two loops and then connect back to the other side of the ¼" tee 7. Plugs (if needed) model SF007. Use the plug to close the hole and for the ¼" drip line use the large size of the plug to close the end of the ¼" drip line. When watering a patio, balcony or deck on a regular basis, it is ideal to allow very little water to drain out of the containers. This helps conserve water and generally keeps the area cleaner. After the initial start up you will want to determine how long the system should run each time to sufficiently irrigate the containers without excess runoff. To do this, run the system checking to see how long it takes all the containers to drain. We want to set irrigation schedules about 1-2 minutes less then it takes for the containers to drain. For example, lets say it initially took the containers 5 minutes to all begin draining. This means you will want to leave the system on regularly for about 2-3 minutes each time to minimize the runoff. After a week check the soil, the health of the plants, and adjust the watering time as needed. Thank you for your inquiry, The Drip Store Staff