Drip system problem

Hello all...

I have a a simple drip system problem that I cannot figure out......

My drip system has a 20 gallon reservoir and a timer controlled pump. I literally only run the pump for 1 minute a day.

Why is it that when I fill up my reservoir the drip system is operating like it's on BUT WITHOUT the pump even being turned on?!

Yes my reservoir is higher than the plants and I cannot control this, but why would gravity matter if I have a pump? Also keep in mind that I run my valves ABOVE the reservoir so there is no way without a pumps power that it could possibly pass water through the valves.

Is this a pressure issue? I was told to poke a hole in the valve close to the pump....


Please help as my plants are constantly getting fed and I'm having to refill the reservoir everyday.

The pump is just an impeller in a housing there's no flapper in there to stop water from flowing, if your res. is higher than your lines it's going to act like a gravity system. Get some line 1/4" individual shut offs. or a main shut off for the 1/2" line.

You just need a way for to stop the water. They have timer controlled shut offs but they are more for outdoortaps and most have pressure decreaser dealies built in.

*BY FAR NOT A DRIP EXPERT*

Mr.Head said:

The pump is just an impeller in a housing there's no flapper in there to stop water from flowing, if your res. is higher than your lines it's going to act like a gravity system. Get some line 1/4" individual shut offs. or a main shut off for the 1/2" line.

You just need a way for to stop the water. They have timer controlled shut offs but they are more for outdoortaps and most have pressure decreaser dealies built in.

*BY FAR NOT A DRIP EXPERT*

Click to expand...

Even with the 1/2 inch line having to run UP and along the wall... then back down is gravity? Wouldn't something like pressure need to push the water up?

Here is my drip setup, not as large as yours, but perhaps it helps. I'm only using a 100 gph pump, 3x day for 1 minute. Sounds like yours is flowing after pump is shutoff to relieve pressure. A hole in the output line of the res, inside the res above water line, would help allow the water to flow back into the res and relieve pressure. If you have shutoffs at each plant, you can adjust flow individually or shutoff completely if needed. I refill the rez once per week, thats it! I dig this DTW

M.Organics said:

Even with the 1/2 inch line having to run UP and along the wall... then back down is gravity? Wouldn't something like pressure need to push the water up?

Click to expand...

If it runs up it's losing pressure but when it heads back down it's creating pressure and sucking more water down behind it, if your down run is longer than your up run you've got an increase in pressure happening there as well.

https://www.irrigationtutorials.com/elevation-pressure-loss-in-irrigation-systems/

@visajoe1 beat me to it.
What you need to do is install a hole in your hose right above the high water line in the reservoir. When the pump kicks on it will spray into the reservoir just like another feeder line was attached and when it shuts off this hole will break the siphon.

there are valves that only allows the line to be open when pump is running. They are designed for pump protection and hydronic systems.

http://store.waterpumpsupply.com/lepucohycomo.html

Thanks everyone!! I ended up poking a hole in the line near pump inside reservoir... seems to be working now!!