Adding additives to my irrigation system.

[JesseFrank]

This is what operates my automatic irrigation system

It draws the water from my well tank, from which also water to house is sourced, and operates the lawn irrigation system with pop up sprays.

So at certain times I would like to supply liquid micro organism to the lawn, which I understand should be applied with loads of water.

I can't add the micro organism to my well tank, because it would get in the house water system as well that way.

So my idea was that I fill a separate container, maybe 100 liter in size, with the micro organism from where the system sucks the liquid and mixes it with the water that goes to the irrigation system, so that the 100 liter liquid actually get mixed with a few thousand liter of water.

Now that is where my knowledges stops.

Anyone can help me out with advice what I need to buy and how to install it ?

Edited April 26, 2014 by JesseFrank

[Canada]

Check this thread in another section.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674653-drip-irrigation/#entry7741951

[JesseFrank]

Check this thread in another section.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674653-drip-irrigation/#entry7741951

Yes a venturi system is what I'm looking at.

Did you see the Venturi valve at Global house? If so it will most probably been sourced from Superproducts. I have a catalog from Superproducts but can't locate it.

Edit : found the venturies in the catalog now. They go from 490 Baht for a 1/2" to 1220 for a 2" ventury. Thanks for the tip

Edited April 26, 2014 by JesseFrank

[Canada]

Yes. I bought one from Global in Udon. Not sure what brand, but it's sold in the section where they sell all the super product stuff.

[JesseFrank]

Yes. I bought one from Global in Udon. Not sure what brand, but it's sold in the section where they sell all the super product stuff.

Do you have any idea about the flowrate of your ventury valve ?

[JesseFrank]

Found an interesting flowrate calculator.

http://www.flowmeterdirectory.com/flowmeter_venturi_calc.html

And one more simple

http://www.efunda.com/formulae/fluids/venturi_flowmeter.cfm

Edited April 26, 2014 by JesseFrank

[Canada]

No. I have no idea of the flow rate. I have not used it yet, nor did it come with any documentation.

[weegee]

JesseFrank....I have done exactly your idea, but i have the 100 ltr tank in line on the suction side of pump (seperate lines)...I fill the 100ltr tank after adding the fertilizer first and mix until dissolved...Then, shutting off the water supply and opening the 100ltr tank tap it's pumped to the lawn and works great.

When you have finished with the small tank, just let the main water source flush the lines...

I do my lawns every 2 months this way...

[JesseFrank]

JesseFrank....I have done exactly your idea, but i have the 100 ltr tank in line on the suction side of pump (seperate lines)...I fill the 100ltr tank after adding the fertilizer first and mix until dissolved...Then, shutting off the water supply and opening the 100ltr tank tap it's pumped to the lawn and works great.

When you have finished with the small tank, just let the main water source flush the lines...

I do my lawns every 2 months this way...

Probably not a bad idea to do it that way but I will have to get hold of a bigger tank, as I have about 30 sprayhead per zone and each uses about 6 liter/min. Do you also use the micro organism ( EM) and doesn't it clog the sprayhead filters ?

I see now you use fertilzer, does fertilizer dissolve easy in water ?

[weegee]

for your lawns just use Urea...it dissolves easily in water. and i have found after a couple of experiments that it's probably still the best for grass....after about a week the grass is lush and grows profusely.

[JesseFrank]

for your lawns just use Urea...it dissolves easily in water. and i have found after a couple of experiments that it's probably still the best for grass....after about a week the grass is lush and grows profusely.

Urea is Nitrogen, which I have an oversupply from already as I don't pick up my clippings, so i actually would like those clippings to decompose faster.

[cdmtdm]

get rid of the clippings and your grass will be much happier

[JesseFrank]

get rid of the clippings and your grass will be much happier

I'm not sure if I agree with that, because since i started to leave the clippings about a year ago my lawn has significantly improved, not to forget that it saves me a lot of time as well.

[weegee]

for your lawns just use Urea...it dissolves easily in water. and i have found after a couple of experiments that it's probably still the best for grass....after about a week the grass is lush and grows profusely.

Urea is Nitrogen, which I have an oversupply from already as I don't pick up my clippings, so i actually would like those clippings to decompose faster.

Dr. weegee says to go and BUY a bag of Urea....If you lawn is not perfect (weed free), pick up the clippings....

[JesseFrank]

for your lawns just use Urea...it dissolves easily in water. and i have found after a couple of experiments that it's probably still the best for grass....after about a week the grass is lush and grows profusely.

Urea is Nitrogen, which I have an oversupply from already as I don't pick up my clippings, so i actually would like those clippings to decompose faster.

Dr. weegee says to go and BUY a bag of Urea....If you lawn is not perfect (weed free), pick up the clippings....

I don't need Urea, I have a fridge to keep my beer cold.

No seriously, my lawn is completely weed free, and I get a lot of compliments about how nice it looks, however I have very poor soil .

Today I fertilized by hand using a 16-16-16 +Te, so now I know that after a week there will be spots where the grass will be longer and darker, because it is almost impossible to throw the fertilizer even everywhere.

With adding to the irrigation system I hope to make it easier to have an even dispersing of the fertilizer.

[weegee]

for your lawns just use Urea...it dissolves easily in water. and i have found after a couple of experiments that it's probably still the best for grass....after about a week the grass is lush and grows profusely.

Urea is Nitrogen, which I have an oversupply from already as I don't pick up my clippings, so i actually would like those clippings to decompose faster.

Dr. weegee says to go and BUY a bag of Urea....If you lawn is not perfect (weed free), pick up the clippings....

I don't need Urea, I have a fridge to keep my beer cold.

No seriously, my lawn is completely weed free, and I get a lot of compliments about how nice it looks, however I have very poor soil .

Today I fertilized by hand using a 16-16-16 +Te, so now I know that after a week there will be spots where the grass will be longer and darker, because it is almost impossible to throw the fertilizer even everywhere.

With adding to the irrigation system I hope to make it easier to have an even dispersing of the fertilizer.

Yes JF...your lawn wont have those spots you talk about as soon as you mix and deliver with the water.....

From memory you can make a ventury yourself by joining 2 x half inch or bigger (The secret is not to go too big in diameter), at an angle of 30 degrees on a straight piece...but not sure of angle size anymore. I always used copper pipe , so if you want you can bash it to the delivery strength you want...

Surely someone near you, will fabricate you one for a couple of beers....I am too dear, I charge by the JD...

[JesseFrank]

Weegee, you still haven't answered me if pouring the mixed fertilizer through your irrigation system clogs up the filters of your spray heads.

With spray heads I mean something like this, do you have them ?

[weegee]

Weegee, you still haven't answered me if pouring the mixed fertilizer through your irrigation system clogs up the filters of your spray heads.

With spray heads I mean something like this, do you have them ?

You will have no problems with your spray heads if you mix the Urea with water and pump it through...but make sure you mix it properly in the delivery tank.

Dont forget to flush your lines, after you have finished pumping the fertilizer....I give mine about 20mins after fertilizer. i have made a different type of spray head to yours,(pictured) as i found they do block if you are using bore water as a source....

[JesseFrank]

Weegee, you still haven't answered me if pouring the mixed fertilizer through your irrigation system clogs up the filters of your spray heads.

With spray heads I mean something like this, do you have them ?

You will have no problems with your spray heads if you mix the Urea with water and pump it through...but make sure you mix it properly in the delivery tank.

Dont forget to flush your lines, after you have finished pumping the fertilizer....I give mine about 20mins after fertilizer. i have made a different type of spray head to yours,(pictured) as i found they do block if you are using bore water as a source....

Weegee, you made the spray heads yourself or you bought them ?

Care to elaborate on that? Maybe a picture or something.

[Mrjlh]

Excellent article on the subject. Might answer all your questions.

http://www.caes.uga.edu/publications/pubDetail.cfm?pk_id=7180

[weegee]

JesseFrank....here's a photo of what i made...Stands a metre in the air, covers around 20mtr circle with the pump., and 10mtrs with town water.

The second photo is the best i have found to irrigate your fertilizer mix, via a hose....You get a great wet down, even distribution, and you can drag it to the position you want done....Can be bought at Home Pro, cheap as chips.

hope these help to explain

[weegee]

JF....first photo above has a small irrigator head for farm use (vegetable Farm)....bought in Home Pro Also.

The second Photo of the small one.....This little bugger DOES NOT BLOCK...even when pumping the gray water through it.

Edited May 10, 2014 by weegee