Watering considerations for Gravity Feed Systems
Introduction: Nearly every gravity feed system has only a small amount of elevation, making piping
sizing and water flow a challenge. This section provides some background information to provide good
watering for gravity feed and rain barrel systems.
Quick Tips:
1) Your barrel must be at least ONE FOOT above the ground – preferably more. This
height will overcome the losses through the valve, filter and piping.
2) If watering multiple plants use a 0.710 tubing (0.62 inch inner diameter) or larger. The
smaller tubing restricts too much.
3) Use drippers what allow for individual adjustment. Adjust drippers (or miniature
sprayers to produce a small trickle out of each outlet. In our gravity feed watering
complete systems, we use an
Adjustable Full Circle Stream Spray Bubbler 1/4"
Barbed Inlet
This adjustable bubbler works well when turned down as an
adjustable dripper for gravity feed systems.
4) Try to keep the total flow for the 0.710 tubing to about ½ gallon per minute or less to
provide consistent results. The drippers (bubblers) at the end of the lines will have to
be opened slightly more to allow for piping loss.
5) Instead of one long feed line, run a line to a central location and then Tee as needed
from there. This keeps the total feed line distance to a minimum, and the flow
through each pipe at a minimum.
6) Use of a 50 foot quality 5/8” garden hose, or a ¾ inch PVC pipe can extend the line
from the water reservoir to the garden area without harm. A 1 inch PVC pipe can
extend 100 to 150 feet without harm, as long as the total flow is ½ gallon per minute
or less.
7) See
http://www.freecalc.com/fricfram.htm
to calculate losses for other type piping and
valves. Generally for your flow you must have 0.3 feet of head loss - for the whole
system - or your water will not flow completely through the pipe. This assumes you
have raised your water
source at least 1 foot
above the ground.
Please consider purchasing
our 100 foot 25 dripper
watering add on for gravity
feed systems. It hooks
directly to the SR-2, or you
may use PVC or a 5/8” garden
hose to extend the water to
your garden area.
WaterGreat LLC
https://watergreat.com
