ewwwe, yuck!
Ken, thanks for posting those pics. It’s not often that I see someone doing things the way I did, and I’ll admit that might be fer good reason, haha! But in this case, and leveraging Bob’s affirmation to your approach, I’d also like to share a few thoughts on the Mister Landscaper system.
Yep, filtering is important. I have a Y-filter on the inlet to my solenoid valve manifold, which feeds two circuits currently. The mini sprinkler heads won’t tolerate much stuff in their orifi. But if you want to see how things go over a year or two, without filtering, the little nozzles are easy to clean (with a bit of wire) and cheap to replace. In other words, you can add a filter later, and no harm done.
I’d really recommend that you eventually get a timer and a solenoid valve or two. It’s just so satisfying to see the little sprinklers do their thing, morning after morning, without any intervention. Also nice to know they’re working when on vacation. I use the Orbit 4-station timer, and it was less than $40. Hugely programmable. I used the Rainbird valves, ~$25 each.
Having said that, if you only need a single-circuit system, you can get basic in-line hose timers (battery op) that provide much of that functionality.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Orbit-1-Outlet-Hose-Faucet-Timer-56619/205585027
Last point, and I hope I don’t sound preachy, but Have fun with these little suckers! Lowes has all the bits individually and (for the nozzles) in packs. You can adjust spray head type (360, 180, 90 degree), height, direction, flow amount, all that. You can shape the sprays around an important expensive dwarf tree, and mist it over a broader expanse. Once you lay your trunk line(s), you can stab in sprinklers or bubblers anywhere, and change your mind later. Tons of fun!
OK, I’ll stop…
===>Cliffy
oops, dupe post
Bob Hyman said:
Ken,
When you install your new drip irrigation system for the layout, make sure you have a good filter on the line that is easy to get to. I have four separate circuits that each have their own filter and I need to clean them about once a month. Each circuit covers a quarter of the layout. Of course, I’m on a well with quite a bit of fine sediment, so if you’re on city water YMMV. Also, I found that each circuit required its own pressure regulator to get nice even flow throughout the lines without blowing out the closest emitters. I use combination 30 PSI regulators/filters that I got on Amazon. I run each circuit off of a 3/4" solenoid valve controlled by an automatic timer so I don’t have to remember to water.
See my earlier post for details and ideas. drip irrigation post
Bob
That’s good to know, Bob. None of that was mentioned in the DVD. I’m also on a well, but it’s filtered as it leaves the holding tank that takes care of any sediment and the hose connection that came with the kit has a screen filter in it. I also have some of those hoses that curl up when not being used and they have a shut-off valve on one end, so I may be able to regulate the flow that way.
Since the layout is located at the very back of my yard, I have to make an effort to water it at least every other day.
I still have to eyeball the whole thing to figure how I want to run this thing around the layout and there’s probably be a few more items I’ll have to buy. But this I thought would be a good starting point.
Thanks Cliff, that also good stuff to know. I did notice that Lowe’s had quite an assortment of parts available for these things, once I found the area where they stock them. I think this experience is all gonna be a trial and error type thing, to find what will work and what won’t.
Like I mentioned in my previous post, I’m on a well and when we go away, I usually shut the pump off.
Ken,
You might consider running the mainline (1/2 or 5/8) which ever your using under the table and bringing the 1/4 lines up through the table and using tee fittings to run lines under the “filling” on the table tops to your sprinklers or emitters.
I found this method worked best for me because it was easy to find the main line and punch in new lateral lines or to cut/remove/plug an existing line. Also if, no, not if, but when you have a blow out the resulting spray may not remove as much soil from the table top or splatter as many structures.
Just some thoughts
Rick
Rick, that’s something I’m going to work on today. My thought is to run it under the Delores area to the inside of the layout. Then clamp it to the outside under the sills and run the emitter line under the sill in the gap between the PVC boards to where ever it has to go. That way it’s easy to get to to add more lines to it in the future.
The module where Delores sits is easy enough to get to under the module, so I can run lines under the table there then up through to each plant. I can see another trip to Lowes this morning for more of the smaller emitter line and fittings…(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)
Would’a been easier to run those lines whilst you was building it. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-innocent.gif)
Well, somebody had to say it. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)
Steve, with all of the planning and engineering that went into the work so far, maybe that detail just sort of slipped through the cracks.
Steve Featherkile said:
Would’a been easier to run those lines whilst you was building it. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-innocent.gif)
Well, somebody had to say it. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)
It may have been easier if I had know exactly where I was going to plant stuff. As it is it wasn’t all that difficult to run them now. Drilled a few holes, screwed in a few clamps, poked a few holes in the screen…(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)
Hose connection with flow restrictor.
Clamped it to the benchwork…
Poked a few holes in the screen, ran the tubing down, connected it to the main…
All in all it took less then 4 hours. I may buy a few more emitter heads and experiment with them to get the right spray pattern. And another roll of 1/2" tubing so I can finish up the Mancos area.
Ken,
Hope you have figured out an easy drain for all that system.
I put a valve stem in my lines and used low air pressure to blow
them out for over wintering.
Rick
How long is the service track from the end of the watertower to the end of bumper device (west to east) ? 20 feet or more?
Is it long enough for Amtrak to roll in there for photo ops.
(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)
Edited : because I’m more into the photo ops than running
" Rooster " said:
How long is the service track from the end of the watertower to the end of bumper device (west to east) ? 20 feet or more?
Is it long enough for Amtrak to roll in there for photo ops.
The service track ties into the turntable, so yea, it’s probably 20 ’ or so.
Depends on how long your train is. That’s also a “Restricted Area” back there, so no cameras are allowed…(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)
Rick Marty said:
Ken,
Hope you have figured out an easy drain for all that system.
I put a valve stem in my lines and used low air pressure to blow
them out for over wintering.
Rick
Yea, Rick, the low end is under Delores, so I figured just slipping off the 2 emitter lines under there would help to drain the line. All the emitter lines are readily accessible so they’re easy to drain too.
Geez Ken, you just keep going. and even after you gave that pink hat back to Shawn too. You’ve managed to get quite an impressive amount of work done this year and it just keeps getting better. I figured you might have trouble keeping things wet for the plants with the open bottom. You might end up with the best of both worlds now. Plants you want will grow where you have the water and the weeds won’t have enough moisture to start poping up where you don’t. Lookin good.
Thanks Randy. I’ve had a lot of fun working on it and one of the problems I have is sitting out there and looking at ways to improve it. But that may not be a problem depending on who you talk to…(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)
I’ve had a plant or 2 bite the dust and 2 others that are struggling which is why I figured I better get this irrigation system in. It doesn’t help with the weather being hot and muggy, that just stresses everything out, too. This way I can hook up the hose and let it run for about an hour while I do something else.
That Ken, he be a smart fellar.
I certainly wouldn’t go that far, Ric…(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)