"How do I connect the 1/4" tubing to the .700 tubing?"
You connect them with a normal 1/4" drip coupling.
You punch a hole in the .700 tubing with a drip hole punch, and then you
press in the coupling. The 1/4" tubing slips over the other end of the 1/4" coupling.
"How do I connect the .700 tubing to a hose bibb (garden hose thread)?"
Simply use a .700 x 3/4 FHT (female hose thread) adapter.
"Do the drippers have to attach to the end of 1/4" tubing?"
No. All of the drippers that we sell can be attached directly to the .700
tubing. Just punch a hole and press the dripper into it.
"What's the difference between .700 tubing and the 1/2" drip
tubing at my local garden supply store? And where's the 1/4" tubing fit in
all this?"
' 1/2" ' drip tubing actually varies in size from .455"od all the way up to .900"od.
The tubing we sell measures .700"od (.600"id). We call it .700 because the different sizes of
tubing are not always interchangeable (although, we have adapters for just about
any size). This is in contrast to the 1/4" drip tubing,
which is almost universally 1/4" outside diameter (.170"id).
You normally use the ' 1/2" ' tubing for main supply lines and the 1/4" tubing for
individual feeder lines.
"I already have some tubing. Can I adapt my existing to
yours?"
You sure can! We have adapters for most sizes of tubing.
And if you're not sure what size your tubing is, just cut off a small piece and
mail it to us.
"How flexible is the .700 tubing?"
The .700 tubing that we sell should easily handle a turn with a 9" radius.
"What do I do to cap off the end of the .700 tubing?"
You can use either a figure-eight fitting (slide the fitting over the
tubing, fold over the end of the tubing, and slide the end back through
the fitting), a .700 x 3/4"MHT adapter and a cap, or a .700 in-line valve.
"What do some of these terms mean?"
Common terms used in drip irrigation are:
MHT = Male hose thread - like you find on the business end of a garden hose.
FHT = Female hose thread - like on the faucet end of the garden hose.
MIPS = Male iron pipe size - male threads typically used in water piping.
FIPS = Female iron pipe size - female threads like above.
GPM = Gallons per minute.
GPH = Gallons per hour |
"If my system is running at 20psi, how much water will I get out of it?"
If you start with at least 40psi and install one of our 20psi regulators, your
system will produce 8gpm (480gph) maximum.
"Is the In-line Regulator a flow restriction device or an actual pressure
regulator?"
It is actually a pressure regulator (not just a piece of plastic with a small
hole in the center).
"What is the maximum length I can run the .70 drip tubing?"
The .70 tubing can be used at varying lengths with different outputs.
Assuming 20psi and evenly spaced emitters:
100' will allow 150gph total
250' will allow 135gph total
500' will allow 120gph total
we don't recommend lines over 500' long (unless you put very few emitters on them).
"What is 'evenly spaced emitters' mean?"
It means that when that is specified you cannot put all of the emitters in one spot.
If you placed 100 one gallon per hour emitters within a short distance then you can not expect
to be able to also use 20 more one gallon emitters after 500 feet on the same line (therefore totaling 120gph as shown
above). In order for the above rules to work you need to place the emitters apart and not all bunched up.
"Any tips on installation?"
We always recommend a pressure regulator and a screen type, cleanable filter.
Always install the tubing first with the end of the line open and not plugged
off. Turn on the water supply and flush out the tubing. Turn off the water
then install all your emitters/drippers/etc. Turn on the water again and
check your emitters.
"Should I install the pressure regulator first, or the wye filter?"
If your pressure is over 40psi we recommend installing the pressure regulator first.
Troubleshooting
| PROBLEM |
CAUSED BY |
SOLUTION |
Emitters blow off tubing
Tubing separates from fittings
Emitters blow apart |
Pressure too high |
Install Pressure Regulator |
| Emitter blow off or leak around base of emitter |
Holes are too large in supply tubing |
Use goof plug to seal off old hole. Use correct hole punch
for new holes |
Uneven uniformity
No water at end of tubing |
Length of run too long |
Divide into shorter runs or reduce discharge rate of emitters |
Uneven uniformity
No water at end of tubing |
Pressure is too low |
Try reducing discharge rates of emitters, or operating only part of
system at any time |
| Emitters plug |
Inadequate filtration |
Install filter. If filter is already installed, check screen for breaks. |
| Calcium carbonate build-up causing partial or full plugging of emitters |
Excessive hard water |
Inject dilute acid through system or replace emitters |
| Tubing separates from fittings |
Tubing/fitting incompatibility |
Replace with correct hose or correct fittings. Make sure tubing
is pushed in all the way |
| Little or no water at top of hill |
Running tubing up too steep a hill |
Change configuration to run down hill |
