How do you size an irrigation pump?

[TreeFiddy350]

I am needing to create an irrigation pvc pipe system to water my coco plants.
I have heard that Leader is a good brand to get. How do you go about deciding what size pump you need?
I will be needing to water about 24 plants in 3 gal fabric pots.
i will probably have my nutes in either a 27gal storage tote or 55 gal barrel and going out into some pvc (not sure if I should go 3/4” or full 1”) and will run it down the middle of the 4x8 table with a few floraflex pieces to connect to each plant.
Anways, how do you go about deciding what size pump to use?
Are there other pumps just as good as leader without spending too much on it?

 

[Renfro]

The pump size isn't as critical as you think, close is good enough, the timing can be adjusted to get the volume you need. You might want flow control valves for each site to you can make sure they all get equal flow.

 

[TintEastwood]

No idea how to size a pump, but this was more than enuff for my outdoor hydro halos. Tossed it in my 35g barrel....then adjust pressures.

I think ---- more lift = more pressure.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01CGAD986?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title&th=1

Hopefully others know sizing info specific to your grow.

 

[Renfro]

Yeah an over sized pump can be used, just put a bypass valve that dumps any extra pressure back to the reservoir.

 

[TreeFiddy350]

Alright thanks guys. I’m gonna do the research on the bypass valve thing. I have a couple weeks before I throw them into flower and will need to feed multiple times a day.

 

[Renfro]

A bypass valve: Put a tee inline right after the pump and connect a valve to that tee. All of this should be in the reservoir with the submersible pump. Opening the valve will bleed off extra flow back into the reservoir.

Once your all setup place empty buckets at each site and run the pump. Adjust your bleed (if needed) to get the pressure you want at the farthest site. Then you can use your flow valves at each site to equalize the flow. You can now time how long the system takes to deliver the proper amount of water.

 

[westcoast420]

Are you going to be running drippers or just open spagetti lines? If drippers make sure they are pressure compensating. That many plants a 500-1000gph pump would be fine, different brands have different power even tho they may state the same gph. Id go with a mag drive, if you wana go cheaper the eco plus ones are decent just dont expect to get more than a year out of it.

 

[Renfro]

different brands have different power even tho they may state the same gph.

It's all about the head height the GPH is measured at. To compare pumps you need to look at numbers from the same head height.

 

[TreeFiddy350]

Are you going to be running drippers or just open spagetti lines? If drippers make sure they are pressure compensating. That many plants a 500-1000gph pump would be fine, different brands have different power even tho they may state the same gph. Id go with a mag drive, if you wana go cheaper the eco plus ones are decent just dont expect to get more than a year out of it.

I was going to have the floraflex lines. With 2 clips on each side and just the 2 lines to the 6” caps. i would imagine it shouldn’t be too difficult to figure out. I’m good with computers. Not irrigation stuff. Lol at least not yet

 

[ToFarGone]

I was going to have the floraflex lines. With 2 clips on each side and just the 2 lines to the 6” caps. i would imagine it shouldn’t be too difficult to figure out. I’m good with computers. Not irrigation stuff. Lol at least not yet

So my back story is my older brother owns an irrigation supply store and also an installation / repair company. I spent 4 summers of the college learning way to much then I’d like to admit on the irrigation subject.

500-1000gph pump is plenty for most if not all drip systems

Yes total head determines pressure and output. However most are rated for at least 12’ and you really can’t go wrong oversizing it.

I would suggest pressure compensating drippers however

If you go the floraflex route. To make sure even distribution

- make sure all your spaghetti hoses or lines that run from your manifold to your pots are exactly the same length even if it means you coil the extra under the pot or soe
Thing

- you can get away with 3/4” manifold. it’s best to run the manifold in a complete loop and back to itself and connect to your pump with a TEE, most people just run it right down the middle and tap the lines wherever it is convenient.

- make sure the manifold is as level as possible.

All the of above not done correctly will end up with way uneven water distribution. some plants will get more then they need while others won’t get enough

My personal recommendation is to use pressure compensating drippers or PC droppers Much much much cheaper then flora flex and accomplish the exact same thing some would say even better results as the flow is much much slower. I personally like .5gph and just run your pump longer.

Only drawback is clogging. Yes they do clog so buy extra. amazon sells them cheap enough that it’s a mute point more of annoying to replace then anything. I find that if I run my pump for shorter more frequent waterings it doesn’t allow the salt build up as fast and they last longer.

 

[Renfro]

Pressure Compensated Dribble Ring - 36 In. Tube X

The Pressure Compensated Dribble Ring is a simple, effective way to evenly water a large pot or container.

www.greenhousemegastore.com

 

[TreeFiddy350]

Y’all are the real MVP’s! I’m currently getting my money together and gonna start putting this stuff together! I’ll send updates when I finish

 

[Aheadatime]

So my back story is my older brother owns an irrigation supply store and also an installation / repair company. I spent 4 summers of the college learning way to much then I’d like to admit on the irrigation subject.

(Useful stuff)

Would you recommend airbleed valves at the high point of the system? I had a real siphoning issue last run with a pvc/manifold system hooked up to a pump on a timer.

 

[ToFarGone]

Would you recommend airbleed valves at the high point of the system? I had a real siphoning issue last run with a pvc/manifold system hooked up to a pump on a timer.

Your best bet is a check valve or backflow preventer plumbed right after the outfeed of your pump

 

[Renfro]

Put a normally closed solenoid valve on the pump output and connect it to the pump timer.

 

[Renfro]

An air bleed better be in the reservoir as it will spray water. Best not to use it.

 

[2com]

- you can get away with 3/4” manifold. it’s best to run the manifold in a complete loop and back to itself and connect to your pump with a TEE, most people just run it right down the middle and tap the lines wherever it is convenient.

- make sure all your spaghetti hoses or lines that run from your manifold to your pots are exactly the same length even if it means you coil the extra under the pot

Good tips.

I'm looking into the dc RV pumps / bilge pumps. Self priming, maintain pressure, low power usage. For dtw. Use these before @Renfro @TintEastwood ?

 

[TintEastwood]

Good tips.

I'm looking into the dc RV pumps / bilge pumps. Self priming, maintain pressure, low power usage. For dtw. Use these before @Renfro @TintEastwood ?

No experience. Seems like something great for bigger grows than my lil space.

 

[2com]

No experience. Seems like something great for bigger grows than my lil space.

I don't think they're for larger sized grows necessarily, just more well suited to irrigation that is more dependent on pressure (over flow). These are the styles used in an RV, for example, to provide a shower or faucet with consistent pressure - that is there when you turn the valve/faucet on. So when your pump turns on to water the garden (manifolds/emitters) it provides instant pressure and flow at the rated specs, for consistent, even irrigation intervals each time.

That's my understanding of how they can be used. But maybe, as a side benefit of how they work (the psi ratings) that would actually make it great for larger grow spaces / multiple individual lines/plant sites. Good point... hmm.