Tweet
This is about as CHEAP and easy as it can get.
I think this probably would be a slower drip system than this one
but I was thinking this would be best if used outside.
No holes are made in the soda bottle and the bottle stands up right.
Works by wicking or Capillary action see link.
http://www.energeticforum.com/renewa...ight=Capillary
The water will wick upwards out of the top of the bottle, along a tube
and then downward dripping into the tube and then onto the soil.
I've done two tests so far:
1) a toilet paper test where water wicked up the side of a glass jar to the
height of about 7" if I remember correctly. I did that tests a few months ago.
2) a toilet paper test inside a 1/2" O.D. hose/tubing (details below)
3) I have NOT tested how high the wicking will go inside a tube.
Unknown is if not fighting off evaporation would allow the water to
climb a little higher.
The tubing was stuck into the 1 liter soda bottle about 6". The water level
was 3" below the top of the bottle. It wicks and drips water out the end of the hose.
Sticking the tube into the bottle until it hits the bottom will work better.
For my initial test I wanted most of the tube outside the bottle.
You don't have to do anything to the cap .. keep it.
How did I get toilet paper of 2 feet of toilet paper into that 1/2" tube?
I used a thick gauge wire. Stuck it through the tube. Folded the bare copper
wire over the end of the twisted up toilet paper and twisted as I pulled it
through the tube.
TRY USING PAPER TOWEL.. toilet paper is a pain to twist and isn't very
strong. You'll have to cut the paper towel down to about a 2" in width or
smaller for a smaller tube.
I don't know, it might work with twine rope also.
This ends up being kinda nice. You can stick the tube into the ground or
pot and leave it there. Take the bottle to be filled up with water. If you
leave the caps unmodified and tied to each bottle, then you can gather up
you bottles with caps on, not wasting any water, top them all off and
wheel barrel or wagon all those full of water bottles back to the hoses.
And if need be you still have totally unmodified soda bottles with caps
for other uses during non-growing months.
For that matter you still have hoses/tubes too.
This could probably save time watering plants. It works for extended
leaves away from being able to water them.
This is in case your water hose breaks, your water hose is too short or
you do not want to use a water hose do to the waste of water.
Or if you have planted far away from any water source, a secret garden, for example.
Or you found some wild blue berries or something you would like to make
sure has plenty of water. Wild critters might like a drink also .. so think
about that part too.
Plastic wrap/bag and wire would seal up around the neck of the bottle
and tube to prevent water loss, if that becomes a factor.
Have fun.
Randy
Remember if have waste/trash, you are not thinking.
It's a resource, a surplus that needs a place where it can be put to use.
I think this probably would be a slower drip system than this one
but I was thinking this would be best if used outside.
No holes are made in the soda bottle and the bottle stands up right.
Works by wicking or Capillary action see link.
http://www.energeticforum.com/renewa...ight=Capillary
The water will wick upwards out of the top of the bottle, along a tube
and then downward dripping into the tube and then onto the soil.
I've done two tests so far:
1) a toilet paper test where water wicked up the side of a glass jar to the
height of about 7" if I remember correctly. I did that tests a few months ago.
2) a toilet paper test inside a 1/2" O.D. hose/tubing (details below)
3) I have NOT tested how high the wicking will go inside a tube.
Unknown is if not fighting off evaporation would allow the water to
climb a little higher.
The tubing was stuck into the 1 liter soda bottle about 6". The water level
was 3" below the top of the bottle. It wicks and drips water out the end of the hose.
Sticking the tube into the bottle until it hits the bottom will work better.
For my initial test I wanted most of the tube outside the bottle.
You don't have to do anything to the cap .. keep it.
How did I get toilet paper of 2 feet of toilet paper into that 1/2" tube?
I used a thick gauge wire. Stuck it through the tube. Folded the bare copper
wire over the end of the twisted up toilet paper and twisted as I pulled it
through the tube.
TRY USING PAPER TOWEL.. toilet paper is a pain to twist and isn't very
strong. You'll have to cut the paper towel down to about a 2" in width or
smaller for a smaller tube.
I don't know, it might work with twine rope also.
This ends up being kinda nice. You can stick the tube into the ground or
pot and leave it there. Take the bottle to be filled up with water. If you
leave the caps unmodified and tied to each bottle, then you can gather up
you bottles with caps on, not wasting any water, top them all off and
wheel barrel or wagon all those full of water bottles back to the hoses.
And if need be you still have totally unmodified soda bottles with caps
for other uses during non-growing months.
For that matter you still have hoses/tubes too.
This could probably save time watering plants. It works for extended
leaves away from being able to water them.
This is in case your water hose breaks, your water hose is too short or
you do not want to use a water hose do to the waste of water.
Or if you have planted far away from any water source, a secret garden, for example.
Or you found some wild blue berries or something you would like to make
sure has plenty of water. Wild critters might like a drink also .. so think
about that part too.
Plastic wrap/bag and wire would seal up around the neck of the bottle
and tube to prevent water loss, if that becomes a factor.
Have fun.
Randy
Remember if have waste/trash, you are not thinking.
It's a resource, a surplus that needs a place where it can be put to use.
Comment