Sorry not a tap just drill a hole. I think it was 1/8 inch drill bit. A 3/32 is to small because that is the internal diameter of the union. I also dropped the union in hot water before I inserted it into the pvc.
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Blumat auto watering
- Thread starter sunnydog
- Start date
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- Tags
- blumat drippers irrigation watering
Cali MedPatient
Member
Hi Ichabod. I'm confused. It looks to me like there's a barb that that hose is on. I'm thinking that you mean drill a hole in the pvc and shove the 3mm line into the hole. Not sure where that picture fits in. Or am I missing something?
Sorry for the crappy picture. Here is what I used. It is a 3/32 inch barbed union made by Kent Systems. Take the little white piece (the union) and put it in a hole in the pvc cap. I did a cap so that if it broke off I could replace it latter. The valve is so I can turn off each individual blumat.
Cali MedPatient
Member
Oh, OK, now I get it. Do you think I could put that through PVC schedule 40 pipe? Since I've already got that running through my room, I was looking for a way to get the blumats to connect to the PVC pipe. But the more I read, the more I think I should keep the PVC pipe that goes from my res area to where the plants are, then change it from PVC to 3/4" black tubing under my plants so I have something that I can more easily put the barbed fittings into.
I'm 40 pages into the thread, but still not clear about what I need. I ordered a 50 pack of blumats, and a bunch of 3mm hose. If I am going to use 3/4 black plastic tubing from my hydro shop, will I need anything else? It looks like the blumats come with one barb, so I can just plug those into the black tubing. I have all of the res. stuff that I need. Is that correct, or do I need to order the 3/32 barbs also? Thanks. Back to reading...
I'm 40 pages into the thread, but still not clear about what I need. I ordered a 50 pack of blumats, and a bunch of 3mm hose. If I am going to use 3/4 black plastic tubing from my hydro shop, will I need anything else? It looks like the blumats come with one barb, so I can just plug those into the black tubing. I have all of the res. stuff that I need. Is that correct, or do I need to order the 3/32 barbs also? Thanks. Back to reading...
G
greenmatter
^^^^^ the blumats come with a T ...... if you don't use their supply line (or something the same size) then they are pretty useless to you
if you are going with the standard grow store black poly hose it sounds like the only thing you are missing is all the barbed fitting from kent systems .........order more than you think you will need. the fittings are cheap,but the shipping is not
if you are going with the standard grow store black poly hose it sounds like the only thing you are missing is all the barbed fitting from kent systems .........order more than you think you will need. the fittings are cheap,but the shipping is not
Cali MedPatient
Member
Oh, that's right, they're the type of T that has to go into the end of the line, not through a hole in the side. So, I assume since there's so much talk about Kent Systems parts, that even though 3/32 is pretty close to 1/8," standard 1/8" irrigation parts won't work? And is the 3mm line really soft? Usually when I use 1/8" line in an irrigation system, I cut it at an angle and jam it into a hole in the line, that way no T or elbow is needed and there's less to get clogged. But I'm guessing that won't work with this stuff?
The 3mm line will work with the Kent System unions, it is what I have pictured. I ran the PVC so I had a more rigid set up that was easier for me to work with. The 50 pack of blumats comes with a fitting to run their main feed line with though. I am not using their main feed line, I am using only their 3mm line.
G
greenmatter
So, I assume since there's so much talk about Kent Systems parts, that even though 3/32 is pretty close to 1/8," standard 1/8" irrigation parts won't work? And is the 3mm line really soft?
the 3mm line is REALLY soft, but the 1/8" stuff at home depot is not the same as the 1/8" stuff at kent systems. you can stretch blumat 3mm line over the kent 1/8" (a pair of pliers is a good way to hold the fittings) but it aint easy. the standard 1/8" drip fittings at home depot would push the limits on the 3mm line no matter how stretchy it is. 1/8" is 1/8" but these are two different animals
the 3mm line is REALLY soft, but the 1/8" stuff at home depot is not the same as the 1/8" stuff at kent systems. you can stretch blumat 3mm line over the kent 1/8" (a pair of pliers is a good way to hold the fittings) but it aint easy. the standard 1/8" drip fittings at home depot would push the limits on the 3mm line no matter how stretchy it is. 1/8" is 1/8" but these are two different animals
A
ak-51
It would be so nice if blumats used a regular size of feed line. I accept that the drip line is going to be an odd size because of how they work and the requirements as far as squishyness and flexibility.
Agreed.
MrAwder
Member
Yea sourcing all this various stuff is kind of a pain. Especially since for some reason all the places that carry these products have the worst websites and online ordering ever. Wish my regular hydro places would start carrying blumats and all the extra accessories. I find it hard to believe they are oblivious to the product.
joedogsong
Member
Your local shops will usually be happy to order the parts for you through their distributors. Thats how I got my mine and started a dialogue, now they carry or will order for me what I need, with no shipping charges or home deliveries.
E
ekomsi
When soaking blumats is the brown cap suppose to be totally closed clockwise like the green cap? I removed the tubing hope that dont matter, while to cones are filled and soaking
I completely remove the caps when soaking the spikes. Where did you see that they should be installed?
Hey all I'm planning to outfit a 600w 4x4 tent with 6
A) 2gal smartpots 100% coco
B) 3gal smartpots 100% coco
c) 3gal smartpots 80% coco / 20%perlite
fed by blumats, which do you recommend? Also, is there any advantage to using spigots like
http://www.brewgadgets.com/p-1300-fast-flow-bottling-spigot-vintage-shop.aspx
instead of bulkheads?
This is what I'm looking at for a parts list...
6 pack reg blumats for houseplants
5gal bucket with (2) 1/2" bottling spigots, elevated 3'
~20ft loop of 1/2" poly tubing.
6 (order 12 just in case) Kent 3/32" straight unions OR 3 tee unions, punched into the black tubing.
Connect blumats to kent unions, put hose clamps on spigots, and that's it? Do you use any silicone on the unions or do they seal well enough? Is there any downside to using 3 tee unions versus 6 straights, or vise versa? Seems like less penetrations = less points to leak?
EDIT: After further review, I've decided to go with a 5gal sterlite tote instead of a 5gal bucket, since the spigot/bulkhead gasket will fit it's flat sides better, it's less tip prone, and being wider than it is tall, the head pressure should vary less as the res level drops. I may even go 10gal tote, though IDK how fast the coco will drink it? Also, I just realized it's the tropf blumats and not the blumats for houseplants that I want, correct? is it overkill for me to use 1/2" poly on only 6 plants? Should I just use the supply line and tees and tank fitting that comes with the terrace 1 kit? It's pretty expensive though, is that why everyone DIY's their supply lines? Just for costs sake? Where is the best place to buy these things anyway, 28,20 € shipping is crazy.
A) 2gal smartpots 100% coco
B) 3gal smartpots 100% coco
c) 3gal smartpots 80% coco / 20%perlite
fed by blumats, which do you recommend? Also, is there any advantage to using spigots like
http://www.brewgadgets.com/p-1300-fast-flow-bottling-spigot-vintage-shop.aspx
instead of bulkheads?
This is what I'm looking at for a parts list...
6 pack reg blumats for houseplants
5gal bucket with (2) 1/2" bottling spigots, elevated 3'
~20ft loop of 1/2" poly tubing.
6 (order 12 just in case) Kent 3/32" straight unions OR 3 tee unions, punched into the black tubing.
Connect blumats to kent unions, put hose clamps on spigots, and that's it? Do you use any silicone on the unions or do they seal well enough? Is there any downside to using 3 tee unions versus 6 straights, or vise versa? Seems like less penetrations = less points to leak?
EDIT: After further review, I've decided to go with a 5gal sterlite tote instead of a 5gal bucket, since the spigot/bulkhead gasket will fit it's flat sides better, it's less tip prone, and being wider than it is tall, the head pressure should vary less as the res level drops. I may even go 10gal tote, though IDK how fast the coco will drink it? Also, I just realized it's the tropf blumats and not the blumats for houseplants that I want, correct? is it overkill for me to use 1/2" poly on only 6 plants? Should I just use the supply line and tees and tank fitting that comes with the terrace 1 kit? It's pretty expensive though, is that why everyone DIY's their supply lines? Just for costs sake? Where is the best place to buy these things anyway, 28,20 € shipping is crazy.
I dont believe it will work very well. Likely too porous, and I have my doubts that it has enough capillary action to support lateral movement of water through your media. A peat/lite, or coco formulation are you best choices for Blumats.
G
greenmatter
IME even if they carry them they don't have a copy of the instructions to give you. without this thread i would have A) not known about them B) gotten so frustrated with them i would be hand watering again
the web site for kent systems DOES SUCK! their phone number is 970-593-3185. if you need your stuff fast picking up the phone will save you a few headaches
I called Bobblehead and asked him.
