talon
Well-Known Member
Alright, this season I'm going to be doing a few plants on a 55-gallon drip irrigation system.
The components I have worked out so far:
Basically, the plan is to create a 8' x 10' rainwater collection surface suspended from 4 trees. It should have a bit of sag in it to create a concave surface. I'm going to rig up a funnel/hose system in a hole in the center of the tarp to drain collected rainwater down to the elevated(~2.5 foot) 55-gallon plastic drum. The drum will of course have a screen installed on it to keep out large debris.
An 8' x 10' surface can collect 50 gallons of water in 1" of rain fall, which is probably the point where I will drill my overflow holes at the 50 gallon mark. Coming from the lower part of the barrel will be a 3/4" garden hose spigot with a water timer attached set to release water to the 100 ft hose at specific times. Drip emitters will be attached along the hose once I figure how many GPH I need to run, etc.
I've done the research on average rainfall amounts in my area, which isn't necessarily relevant to you but helps me keep all my information organized.
Month/Inches of Rain----------------- Water Collected
January - 4.3" ------------------------ 214.14 gallons
February - 3.6" ------------------------ 179.28 gallons
March - 3.5" -------------------------- 174.3 gallons**
April - 3.9" -------------------------- 194.22 gallons**
May - 5.0" --------------------------- 249.00 gallons**
June - 3.6" --------------------------- 179.28 gallons**
July - 2.9" --------------------------- 144.42 gallons**
August - 3.0" --------------------------- 149.40 gallons**
September - 3.4" --------------------------- 169.32 gallons**
October - 3.4" --------------------------- 169.32 gallons**
November - 4.3" --------------------------- 214.14 gallons**
December - 4.6" --------------------------- 229.08 gallons
During the Summer months, I may need to top the tank off weekly/bi-weekly. It really depends on how many plants I end up growing.
With the combination of this and subcool's Super Soil mix, I'm hoping to have a pretty low-maintenance set-up for my outdoor grow.
I'm sure I'm missing something here, I just wanted to get some input. Do you think this setup, or a doubled up setup could possibly support 20 plants?
The components I have worked out so far:
- 55 Gallon Drum with spigot installed(Painted brown to blend in)
- 8'x10'(or similar) camouflage tarp
- In-line Water Timer - http://www.amazon.com/Melnor-3060-6-Cycle-Electronic-AquaTimer/dp/B00004SDVT
- Automatic Mechanical Rain Sensor - Like this one
- 3/4" Hose --> 1/2" Tubing Adapter - Lowe's
- 100' x 1/2" Polyethylene hose - Doitbest.com
- Drip emitters - Various Sizes/Flow Rates @ Lowe's
Basically, the plan is to create a 8' x 10' rainwater collection surface suspended from 4 trees. It should have a bit of sag in it to create a concave surface. I'm going to rig up a funnel/hose system in a hole in the center of the tarp to drain collected rainwater down to the elevated(~2.5 foot) 55-gallon plastic drum. The drum will of course have a screen installed on it to keep out large debris.
An 8' x 10' surface can collect 50 gallons of water in 1" of rain fall, which is probably the point where I will drill my overflow holes at the 50 gallon mark. Coming from the lower part of the barrel will be a 3/4" garden hose spigot with a water timer attached set to release water to the 100 ft hose at specific times. Drip emitters will be attached along the hose once I figure how many GPH I need to run, etc.
I've done the research on average rainfall amounts in my area, which isn't necessarily relevant to you but helps me keep all my information organized.
Month/Inches of Rain----------------- Water Collected
January - 4.3" ------------------------ 214.14 gallons
February - 3.6" ------------------------ 179.28 gallons
March - 3.5" -------------------------- 174.3 gallons**
April - 3.9" -------------------------- 194.22 gallons**
May - 5.0" --------------------------- 249.00 gallons**
June - 3.6" --------------------------- 179.28 gallons**
July - 2.9" --------------------------- 144.42 gallons**
August - 3.0" --------------------------- 149.40 gallons**
September - 3.4" --------------------------- 169.32 gallons**
October - 3.4" --------------------------- 169.32 gallons**
November - 4.3" --------------------------- 214.14 gallons**
December - 4.6" --------------------------- 229.08 gallons
During the Summer months, I may need to top the tank off weekly/bi-weekly. It really depends on how many plants I end up growing.
With the combination of this and subcool's Super Soil mix, I'm hoping to have a pretty low-maintenance set-up for my outdoor grow.
I'm sure I'm missing something here, I just wanted to get some input. Do you think this setup, or a doubled up setup could possibly support 20 plants?
