DIY - Garden Irrigation System

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BinaryLimited

796 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#1460895 4-Jan-2016 07:23

Paulluap: Here is my watering system I have been working on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dUU0VIeZRk

Looks cool!

A few questions :
- How long does that water last, 3000L?
- How long do you water for?
- Do you water your lawn? If so ,for how long?
- What's the LPM from the pump?
- What sprinklers do you use? Or do you use drippers?
- black 20mm irrigation piping?

And lastly, what timer do you use?

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Paulluap

30 posts

Geek

#1460918 4-Jan-2016 09:24

Thanks.

- How long does that water last, 3000L? ---- I have a total of 5000L now with 5 tanks. The pump can empty 1 tank in just under 1 hour.

- How long do you water for? ---- The system automatically waters every 2 days for 10mins if there is water. I will also water the vege garden for 20 mins when needed.

- Do you water your lawn? If so ,for how long? ---- No I don't water my lawn. Not really needed.

- What's the LPM from the pump? ---- Not sure how many litres/min but it is a $200 pump from bunnings that can do 50 psi.

- What sprinklers do you use? Or do you use drippers? ---- I use normal garden sprinklers and drippers.

- black 20mm irrigation piping? ---- yes 20mm black pipe from bunnings (use those spinkler kits)

And lastly, what timer do you use? ---- I have a PLC to control the system. At my Mums we just use a manual 4 hour twist timer. (About $10)

Cheers

openmedia

3324 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1460924 4-Jan-2016 10:22

How did you pipe in the washing machine water. We've been trying to find a connector to run a soaker hose out to our citrus trees. They seem to love that water,

Awesome setup. Who have you been using for all of the pipe parts as I've now to 2 tanks and the pipes/connectors appear to cost a lot more than the tanks.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

Paulluap

30 posts

Geek

#1460935 4-Jan-2016 11:11

openmedia: How did you pipe in the washing machine water. We've been trying to find a connector to run a soaker hose out to our citrus trees. They seem to love that water,

Awesome setup. Who have you been using for all of the pipe parts as I've now to 2 tanks and the pipes/connectors appear to cost a lot more than the tanks.

Hey Thanks.
I just made the washing machine drain hose longer and run it through a hole in the wall to the tank. It goes via this water float switch.
Make sure you don,t run it to high or the washing machine pump won,t be able to pump the water out.

Yes the plastic pipe is not cheap. Don't buy it from bunnings, much cheaper from plumbing outfit. (Edward Gibbins in Nelson)

I brought a hole lot of used pipe from the recycle centre and worked out if you use a heat gun, you can remove the glued in piece. So a lot of my bends and tees are second hand.
Cheers

Aredwood

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#1461032 4-Jan-2016 14:22

Do you do any filtering or treatment of the washing machine water? As I tried diverting my washing machine into one of those IBC tanks - didn't take long for the water to get really smelly.

Paulluap

30 posts

Geek

#1461059 4-Jan-2016 15:26

Aredwood: Do you do any filtering or treatment of the washing machine water? As I tried diverting my washing machine into one of those IBC tanks - didn't take long for the water to get really smelly.

Hi Yeah I use a stocking to collect the lint (need to clean it regularly), and use the water within 48 hours. Also it is not allowed to be sprayed more than 600mm high.
Wife did washing couple of weeks back before the rain. About 3 or 4 loads gave me 500 litres for the ferns.

I turn the washing machine water off in winter, so only collect rain water.
Cheers

Paulluap

30 posts

Geek

#1484755 3-Feb-2016 19:39

Added a bit more to the system over the weekend. Swimming pool pump and filter.

I used one of these on my mums fish pond as the $400 dollar ones were only lasting 12 months. Her one has been going for over 2 years now, not bad for $5 (Recycle centre).

I am only using the filter for my system.

Wanted to upgrade the filter to something easier to change and less frequent.

Works well. Have to add one to mums now.

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