RandyK
Well-known member
Wow. Very nice. I like your set up!
Fertilizer Injectors?
- Thread starter TorontoJoe
- Start date
TorontoJoe
Administrator
I use the EZ Flow set up and like it very much. I didn't consider the other system, but it looks very good to me also. For me, doing drip irrigation and then the fertigation were total game changers. Watering and fertilizing are so time consuming, and the more figs we all keep adding, the more time it takes. Automating these very time consuming and mundane tasks was pretty liberating! I don't think there would be any way that I could keep the number of trees I have if these tasks weren't automated. I think I would have burnt out on it by now. And I know I was not fertilizing as much as I should have been in the past when I did it by hand, since it was such a pain to do.
For the EZ Flow system, I read the instructions and still had trouble deciding if and which flow restrictor to use and if I should use the "slow" flow rate for the "fast" flow rate. I kind of glazed over when reading the differences and the information that was provided. For me, just using it and trial and error over a pretty short period of time worked the best. One thing that helps me with this set up, is that I put food coloring into the tank so that I can actually see when the tank solution has been used up. When I first used it, I used one of the flow restrictors and put in quite a bit of fertilizer... way too much fertilizer. I didn't hurt my plants, but I ended up emptying the tank with a lot of fertilizer solution still left in it. It worked better when I figured out approximately how much I used in the past when I hand fertilized and then used that same amount And, for me, I don't use the flow restrictors anymore and just set it a "fast" and get the fertilizer into the pots and then done.
Good luck with whichever you choose. I think you will be happy you took the leap to automate the fertilizing process.
The EZ-FLO definitely has a lower setup cost.... I'm on the fence. I can see how the Doseatron can really dial things in...... But the EX-FLO seems to do the job for a fraction... maybe a bit less sexy...
superdave336
Well-known member
I have something small and simple like The Millennial Gardener uses in this video. Around 11:20 minute mark.
I think I remember seeing it in the garage recently. I’ll try digging it out and looking at instructions if interested.
I think I remember seeing it in the garage recently. I’ll try digging it out and looking at instructions if interested.
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superdave336
Well-known member
Very nice!
TorontoJoe
Administrator
Good video. Thanks!
Figgin' A
Well-known member
I picked up a Dosatron D14 a few years ago and could not be happier with it. It's so easy to dial in for various fertilizers/applications. I use it for both automated and manual fertilization. When I say manual, I simply disconnect it from the auto line and hook it up to my water hose where I use a watering wand to water the plants. Using Eley hoses and quick connects, it takes a minute to do.
For double-checking the concentrations, I find it's best to use an EC/PPM meter. In general, I target something like 1200 PPM for continuous fertilizing or 2200 PPM for weekly/biweekly. It depends on the fertilizer/plant needs though, those values will vary.
For double-checking the concentrations, I find it's best to use an EC/PPM meter. In general, I target something like 1200 PPM for continuous fertilizing or 2200 PPM for weekly/biweekly. It depends on the fertilizer/plant needs though, those values will vary.
TorontoJoe
Administrator
I picked up a Dosatron D14 a few years ago and could not be happier with it. It's so easy to dial in for various fertilizers/applications. I use it for both automated and manual fertilization. When I say manual, I simply disconnect it from the auto line and hook it up to my water hose where I use a watering wand to water the plants. Using Eley hoses and quick connects, it takes a minute to do.
For double-checking the concentrations, I find it's best to use an EC/PPM meter. In general, I target something like 1200 PPM for continuous fertilizing or 2200 PPM for weekly/biweekly. It depends on the fertilizer/plant needs though, those values will vary.
Such a nice tidy setup. Irrigation Direct?
One question on the PPM. I used a PPM meter for years in my Hydro system and messed up a bit one time when trying to convert from to EC. (The nutrient recommendations were only available in EC)I had no idea at the time, but someone educated me about the fact that they are several different ways that PPM is calculated depending on what device you use and that they could be quite different. Would you happen to know the EC at your 1200 or 2200 PPM? Or know what conversion your meter uses?
Tinyfish
Well-known member
I have the Ez flo mainline tank at my house it goes on the pressurized side of the drip system. At Ralph's place he has the plastic tank that you show.
I set my fertilizer setting on my tank for what my fertilizer Dyna Gro calls a maintenance dose which is just over 1/4tsp per gallon so thats just under setting 2 on the dial. For the tank your looking at it takes a little to figure out but not that difficult.
I set my fertilizer setting on my tank for what my fertilizer Dyna Gro calls a maintenance dose which is just over 1/4tsp per gallon so thats just under setting 2 on the dial. For the tank your looking at it takes a little to figure out but not that difficult.
TorontoJoe
Administrator
Tony, I thought you had the 2.5 gal one that I linked above….. is this the one you have?
EZ Flo Fertigation Injector
The patented EZ-FLO Fertigation System improves results by delivering a constant feed of fertilizers and nutrients to your irrigation system in greenhouses, landscape gardens, and large turf areas. Requires CBV Coupling Ball Valve (sold separately).
www.mkrittenhouse.com
I’m not sure how they’re different in how they work
Tinyfish
Well-known member
I have the one you just linked. Operating mine is on the pressurized side before the valves. It has a ball valve connector that the fertilizer injects into. The ball valve also adjusts the flow depending on how many gphs your using. Because its on the mainline it can operate as many zones that you have. The 2 5g tank is on the non pressurized side and instead of a ball valve it uses those flow disks to compensate for the gph. With the tank on the non pressurized side it makes challenging to feed multiple zones. At Ralph's house he has two zones so we had to get creative on the installation but it's not difficult at all. There is a big cost difference between the two so the little bit of extra work to install is worth it.Tony, I thought you had the 2.5 gal one that I linked above….. is this the one you have?
EZ Flo Fertigation Injector
The patented EZ-FLO Fertigation System improves results by delivering a constant feed of fertilizers and nutrients to your irrigation system in greenhouses, landscape gardens, and large turf areas. Requires CBV Coupling Ball Valve (sold separately).
I’m not sure how they’re different in how they work
Since you know how to use a hydroponics system you just set the dial on the fertagation tank for that setting 1/4 to 1/2 tsp per gallon is probably good for most fertilizers for every watering.
TorontoJoe
Administrator
Good info. Thanks
Figgin' A
Well-known member
Figgin' A
Well-known member
Yes, the Dosatron came from Irrigation Direct. But the rest came from south of the border.
Gladstone1969
Well-known member
I use EZ flows made for the non pressurized side of the system.
TorontoJoe
Administrator
Something like this?
EZ-FLO - 2.5 Gallon | EZ Flo Injection Systems
2.5 Gallon Hose Bib & Drip Connection - For On/Off Pressure Only (9.5 liter) Super quick to set up and super simple to use. EZ-FLO’s Hose and Drip systems connect directly to your outdoors water faucet. The fertilizer or any water soluble product goes through the tubes to join up with your water...
ezfloinjection.com
Or this?
EZ-FLO - 1 Gallon | EZ Flo Injection Systems
The 1 Gallon Hose Bib system is tougher than our other Hose Bib systems. It comes complete with a Brass hose bib and a PVC tank with a higher pressure rating. We call it our 'commercial grade' hose bib fertigation system. Super quick to set up and super simple to use. EZ-FLO’s Hose and Drip...
ezfloinjection.com
I wonder why the 1 gal costs more than the 2.5? I see the brass component but is that it?
Gladstone1969
Well-known member
A
Actually, I got this: https://www.dripdepot.com/fertilizing-system-size-three-quarter-gallon-2-8-liter. It is plenty big for my large garden and fig trees. I have two of them. The more expensive one that you tagged has a tank rated for higher pressure. I put my fertigation downstream of my timer. The instructions are pretty clear. That tank can take more than 4 cups of soluble fertilizer. You only use the washers if you can’t distribute the fertilizer without it (you can tell because the dye either flows or it doesn’t.Something like this?
EZ-FLO - 2.5 Gallon | EZ Flo Injection Systems
2.5 Gallon Hose Bib & Drip Connection - For On/Off Pressure Only (9.5 liter) Super quick to set up and super simple to use. EZ-FLO’s Hose and Drip systems connect directly to your outdoors water faucet. The fertilizer or any water soluble product goes through the tubes to join up with your water...
Or this?
EZ-FLO - 1 Gallon | EZ Flo Injection Systems
The 1 Gallon Hose Bib system is tougher than our other Hose Bib systems. It comes complete with a Brass hose bib and a PVC tank with a higher pressure rating. We call it our 'commercial grade' hose bib fertigation system. Super quick to set up and super simple to use. EZ-FLO’s Hose and Drip...
I wonder why the 1 gal costs more than the 2.5? I see the brass component but is that it?
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TorontoJoe
Administrator
I haven't seen that size here. Will do a search on the model number.
As much as I love those Doseatron units, I think I may end up with this style. They seem they will do the trick at a much lower cost.
TorontoJoe
Administrator
OK..... as much as I was drooling over the Doseatron units I decided to go with the EZ-FLO 2.5 gal unit. I seemed it would get the job done for a more affordable price.... Some things however are confusing me.
ezfloinjection.com
I calculated the flow on one of my zones to be about 60GPH. It runs for 20 minutes, 3 times per day....
OK... I set the unit up on Friday when I got it. The first thing that seemed strange was that although I used coloured fert, it was very difficult to see in the clear tube. There were a few bubbles so I knew it was flowing. I figured it was because the tube us narrow and light travels through it more easily. The contents of the tank were approx 150ML (1/3 cup) of Jack's professional. 60ML (6 tbsp) of Alaska Fish and a splash of Cal-Mag. (Maybe not enough jacks?)
I set the unit to fast flow and did not use any of the flow restriction washers. I figured I'd dump all the fert out so I could move on to the next zone.
Today, opened up the unit to move zones... I figured 4 days later all the fert would have to have run out of the system. What I found was a lot of colour left in the tank. It was all bluish-brown from the Jack's and the Alaska.
Should the tank not have been all clear?
Now I'm kind of stuck not knowing how much fert the plants got. Am I missing something?
EZ-FLO - 2.5 Gallon | EZ Flo Injection Systems
2.5 Gallon Hose Bib & Drip Connection - For On/Off Pressure Only (9.5 liter) Super quick to set up and super simple to use. EZ-FLO’s Hose and Drip systems connect directly to your outdoors water faucet. The fertilizer or any water soluble product goes through the tubes to join up with your water...
ezfloinjection.com
I calculated the flow on one of my zones to be about 60GPH. It runs for 20 minutes, 3 times per day....
OK... I set the unit up on Friday when I got it. The first thing that seemed strange was that although I used coloured fert, it was very difficult to see in the clear tube. There were a few bubbles so I knew it was flowing. I figured it was because the tube us narrow and light travels through it more easily. The contents of the tank were approx 150ML (1/3 cup) of Jack's professional. 60ML (6 tbsp) of Alaska Fish and a splash of Cal-Mag. (Maybe not enough jacks?)
I set the unit to fast flow and did not use any of the flow restriction washers. I figured I'd dump all the fert out so I could move on to the next zone.
Today, opened up the unit to move zones... I figured 4 days later all the fert would have to have run out of the system. What I found was a lot of colour left in the tank. It was all bluish-brown from the Jack's and the Alaska.
Should the tank not have been all clear?
Now I'm kind of stuck not knowing how much fert the plants got. Am I missing something?