Inline Drip Regulator

[TexasMFK31]

Hey everyone, I came across this video last night for DIY drip systems. Been looking at new ideas for improvements I could do for my own system. Anyhow, I searched for the device in this video that he claims drips 40 gallons per day AND regulates the pressure. What is this device? See video for context.

The time is around 6:35, the embedding isn't letting me put the time spot URL in.

 

[Oughtsix]

Flow Restrictors (also known as Flow Controls or Capillaries)

https://www.waterfilters.net/flow-restrictors.html

 

[TexasMFK31]

Awesome, thank you!

 

[Oughtsix]

Your welcome!

 

[the_deeb]

Just a note that flow restrictors are not sufficient to drop pressure enough by themselves. Depending on your incoming water pressure, you’re going to want to install a pressure regulator upstream of the flow restrictor.

 

[TheWolfman]

I use a 25 psi sprinkler pressure regulator to drop down from tap pressure and then fine tune the flow with a adjustable drip admitter

 

[TexasMFK31]

Just a note that flow restrictors are not sufficient to drop pressure enough by themselves. Depending on your incoming water pressure, you’re going to want to install a pressure regulator upstream of the flow restrictor.

For sure, I plan on having a regulator out of the house before it hits this inline. I want one with a guage and such to keep an eye on the system overall.

 

[jim barry]

Sorry, but have to say, I watched the entire vid only to see tanks at the end that looked as though they had pea soup in them!!
I have run a drip for 5 years and don't regulate mains water into the pods. I only regulate with the tap shown in the vid but I have this tap on the exit side of my pods. I use this tap to allow more fresh water into the system in the summer months and less in the winter. I use a normally closed solenoid valve on the incoming water which is linked to a timer so the system comes on for a few hours in the morning and then again for a few hours in the afternoon. So I don't run a continuous drip, more of a full flow but twice a day. My only worry with this is the temp drop around 2 degrees (less in summer) each time and the heaters probably have to work hard to reheat the water.
Maybe I should go to a continuous drip but the point of the normally closed solenoid valve is that water will not come on in the event of a power cut.
I run this on two large ray tanks and has always worked for me. Just change the filters in the pods every 3 months.
I have never done a manual water change.

 

[TexasMFK31]

Sorry, but have to say, I watched the entire vid only to see tanks at the end that looked as though they had pea soup in them!!
I have run a drip for 5 years and don't regulate mains water into the pods. I only regulate with the tap shown in the vid but I have this tap on the exit side of my pods. I use this tap to allow more fresh water into the system in the summer months and less in the winter. I use a normally closed solenoid valve on the incoming water which is linked to a timer so the system comes on for a few hours in the morning and then again for a few hours in the afternoon. So I don't run a continuous drip, more of a full flow but twice a day. My only worry with this is the temp drop around 2 degrees (less in summer) each time and the heaters probably have to work hard to reheat the water.
Maybe I should go to a continuous drip but the point of the normally closed solenoid valve is that water will not come on in the event of a power cut.
I run this on two large ray tanks and has always worked for me. Just change the filters in the pods every 3 months.
I have never done a manual water change.

What I plan on doing is hose to a NC valve to the filters, to this regulator into a "holding" tank. The holding tank lets me build up water at the room temperature. Once the holding tank is full, pump it in all in 1 slug and repeat. I can have a 29G and pump 25G into the tank 3-4 times a day. So it won't be a constant drip, but will prevent busting in the event of a freeze or overheating during the summer. I also eventually plan to incorporate a Raspberry Pi to my system which will monitor the tank water and I can regulate the incoming water. So, say my tank is cooling off, I can just "heat" my water change water (less electricity since it is smaller volume) to heat the tank. But that is a work in progress for the future.

 

[Oughtsix]

Heating water then adding it to your tank will take the same number of Watts/hrs as adding the water to your tank then heating the tank. The amount of electricity will be the same.

Heating the water before adding it to the tank will minimize temperature fluctuations in the tank though.