Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Aug 26, 2010 1:46 pm Hi Fu - can you recommend a brand/model of tap timer to be used with a drip irrigation system? The brands I've seen around are Galcon, Pope and Holman. I've used some Pope hose connectors before and wasn't too impressed with the quality. The Holman stuff is what they promote on Garden Gurus but I'm not sure if that is just advertising hype. I wanted to set up a drip system for my fruit trees - easier than remembering to water daily, especially in summer. I was just going to use black poly pipe and then punch holes where required (rather than a netafim dripline with the drippers spaced evenly - I need to send the pipe about 15m before it needs to start dripping) It will be going off tank water - but the tank has a pump (underground concrete) so no need to worry about low pressure. After 4 years - we're in! Re: Tap timer recommendations 2Aug 26, 2010 8:12 pm Over many years I have used many types. In fact it would be fair to say I have used almost every model on the market. Galcon. No science degree needed to programme and is very user friendly after the programmes have been set. Yeah they cost a bit more and are worth every cent. I normally do what ever I can to avoid the use of that type of irrigation timer but if you have to then Galcon is it. For a normal controller you would connect the pump up to the port marked MP,Pump or M. That is connected to a pump relay. *For other readers I will say that designing irrigation systems off garden taps is not recommended where ever possible. Run off the mains or a pump Re: Tap timer recommendations 3Aug 26, 2010 10:56 pm Oh and they do a nifty valve that alternates the water between two stations with each programme. Each time the water goes off, it switches over to be ready on the second station for the commencement of the next programmed cycle Re: Tap timer recommendations 4Aug 27, 2010 8:18 am Thanks Fu! I don't really want to run off the mains (it's wasting potable water and I have a tank) - is it ok to run it from my rain water tank because it has a pump? What would you otherwise recommend? (I have a 10,000L concrete tank underground with a pump in tank that has pretty good pressure) After 4 years - we're in! Re: Tap timer recommendations 5Aug 27, 2010 12:22 pm I'd really suggest using a regular controller if it is more permanent. The Galcon would do the job well for now though. I nearly always use the Hunter XC controllers. They do a battery operated version as well. Other good controller is the Irritrol Rain Dial, it's been around for a long time and is also ridiculously easy to use and adjust as well as having the capacity for water efficient programming. The pump off the tank is going to be just fine Good pressure Just like a running a system off a bore. Re: Tap timer recommendations 6Aug 27, 2010 2:21 pm Hi, I want to install drip system exactly like stonecutter do, as I only have trees some section at the moment. I don't have water tank and water mains in the front yard, so i have to use garden tap from backyard to connet poly pipes around plant beds which is around 50m long(10m left+30m back+10m right side). The question is do i have to install pump to get enough pressure all around bed? or is there any pressure poly pipe can handle 50m length? At the moment, using the garden tap is the only option. appreciate any advice Re: Tap timer recommendations 7Aug 27, 2010 2:51 pm A bit like saying how long is a piece of string. 50m is fine normally but then it depends on the flow rate you have from your garden tap and the pressure it gets. Re: Tap timer recommendations 8Aug 27, 2010 5:55 pm Thanks Fu - I'm not sure how permanent it's going to be - I'm most worried about my fruit trees getting sufficient water if we go on holidays. I actually like hand watering during the way (it lets me get some much needed Vitamin D!) I'll take those brands to my local irrigation shop and check them out. After 4 years - we're in! Re: Tap timer recommendations 9Aug 27, 2010 8:24 pm Hand watering is the most inefficient means there is to water plants. water is saved in a city because no one can be bothered to do it. Re: Tap timer recommendations 10Aug 28, 2010 8:01 am Really? Wow - I found that I get much more even watering of my lawn if I do it by hand - though it does take 2 hours! (compared to a sprinkler) After 4 years - we're in! Re: Tap timer recommendations 11Aug 28, 2010 12:31 pm Studies done in Qld last year or the year before found massive improvements in water savings with irrigation. At the same time a good mate of mine was doing one here in the west and found almost identical results. This is also something that nurserymen have long been aware of. I'm not talking trivial saving either. 1500% in a few cases. In most it is more like 300-500% less water used and with negligible surface run off. A further saving can be made by programming several short waterings as opposed to one or two long waterings. That figure is around 25%. now use junk irrigation and this is not the case but use the types I speak of and that will be very different indeed Re: Tap timer recommendations 12Aug 28, 2010 12:33 pm Fu Manchu What we are learning here in WA and educating the public on are very different form the many long held traditional concepts of gardening. What is happening as a result of that is having serious consequences on the environment. Water management in retail nurseries and garden centres : Nursery and Garden Industry Australia Scheduling irrigation to maximise efficiency : Nursery and Garden Industry Australia Water use in the nursery and garden industry - results of the 2006 Water Use Survey : Nursery and Garden Industry Australia and we can thank I am pretty sure Dr John Colwill for this If not then the Water Corporation Now granted the soil is different here but the concepts are the same and considering that WA leads Australia in domestic water management and public education strategies then it is pretty solid info. John Colwill's work has been copied around Australia by a few state governments. Not all plant roots absorb water. They also play a major role in structure. The magic layer of soil is mostly 30- 40 cm deep in regard to where the overall action is happening. ie, the living layer of soil. Re: Tap timer recommendations 14Aug 28, 2010 12:39 pm When we hand water, we are applying water at rates far higher than the soil can absorb. This leads to increased nutrient leaching and surface run off. Also nearly every person uses nozzles that are designed more for people than for applying water efficiently. Nearly all mist water into the air at enormous rates. Just watch someone in the early morning with the sun behind them as they water, You'll see just what I mean that will depend on the kitchen bench depth. you'll have to specify it so it allows for both the tap and the sink 1 7400 7 5147 Brass or 2) Stainless steel made - which Kitchen tap is good for drinking.Brass kitchen taps in Australia contain lead… 0 6739 |