Tropf-Blumat Tubs and More

• 12 Tropf-Blumat without drip tubing + T-connector
• 6 Tropf-Blumat Maxi without drip tubing + T-connector (TB-Maxi)
• 2 x 10 m water supply tubing, black, 8mm
• 12 m drip tubing, 3mm
• 18 T-connectors, 8-3-8 mm
• 2 end pieces, 8-3 mm
• 2 angle pieces, 8-8 mm
• 1 branch connector, 8-8-8 mm
• 1 tubing connector, 8-8 mm
• 10 mini-tubing connectors, 3-3 mm
• 10 mini-branch connectors, 3-3-3 mm
• 1 shut-off valve, 8-8 mm, removable
• 10 end caps, 3 mm
• 1 corer
• 1 pressure reducer
  (setting fix 1 bar, connections 8 mm clamp screws, ¾ inch inner threading)

Set is suitable for (alternative examples)

• 3 m of planter boxes (80 or 100 cm box length) + 6 plants in a 30 - (40) cm tub
  each with 1 TB-Maxi
• 3 m of planter boxes (80 or 100 cm box length) + 2 plants in a 50 - (60) cm tub
  each with 3 TB-Maxi
• 3 planting tubs 40-(50) cm each with 2 TB-Maxi + 12 single pots up to 20 cm
• 1.2 m² planting bed (ca. 24 midsize plants) +
  3 larger solitary plants in a bed each with 2 TB-Maxi
• 12 single plants in a greenhouse such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers plus an additional tub with TB-Maxi (see above)
• 3 planting troughs, for example, of 120 x 60 cm each for 1 larger solitary plant and 2 TB-Maxi plus ca. 6-7 smaller companion plants with 4 Tropf-Blumats (normal size) per trough.

 
Directions for correct usage can be found under “Use”

Setting-up Tropf-Blumats – number required

Tropf-Blumat Maxi waters more intensively than normal Tropf-Blumats, it should be inserted to a depth of ca. 15-18 cm into the root mass, dripping will take place less often, but therefore, for longer periods (normal setting).
The watering of planting tubs (or larger pots) begins above a container size of about 30 cm high, rarely somewhat smaller. In this case, 1 TB-Maxi is generally enough.
The final number of TB-Maxi is dependent on the size of the plant as well the needs of a particular plant species and sometimes the substrate. Often 2 TB-Maxi are enough for tubs of 40-50 cm and 3 TB-Maxi for 50-60 cm size containers. The danger that plants overgrow or are damaged due to overwatering is higher than the opposite.
For watering planting boxes (such as used on balconies), only the normal sized Tropf-Blumat is suitable. The general rule, in this case, is: 4 drip locations (Tropf-Blumats) per 100 cm box length (by a width of 20 cm), 3 drip locations for 80 cm box length. For wider troughs (i.e. 100x40 cm), it is usually sufficient to use 6-7 Tropf-Blumats, depending on the size of the plants.
In larger troughs with mixed plantings, the TB-Maxi can be used to water the large solitary plants- 1-2 TB-Maxi depending on the plant size, and the normal Tropf-Blumats can be used for the smaller companion plants. Here, for example, it is important to install enough Tropf-Blumats, because planting soil is very permeable and water is often not well distributed.
For bed plantings, 2 plants (the size of typical summer flowers such as geraniums) require 1 Tropf-Blumat (plant spacing ca. 20-22 cm), when planted closer together (ca. 15 cm), 1 Tropf-Blumat is enough for a group of 3 plants.
Similar to trough plantings, solitary shrubs planted in beds in solariums or near a house are well suited for watering with TB-Maxi, depending upon the size, 1-3 per plant, inserted in the outer root mass. It is better to use the normal Tropf-Blumat for watering vegetable beds in small greenhouses; in general, 1 sensor per plant for tomatoes, peppers, cucumber etc. should be used. It is also possible to water with the TB-Maxi, but the watering is then more intensive.

Unique Features of this Set

This Tropf-Blumat set comes without drip tubing and T-connectors. Therefore, the tubing can be cut to fit individual needs, it is then inserted through the watering head (open adjusting screw completely), leave an overhang of about 10 cm when fixating the tubing. (Also see Suggestions for Adjusting).
The mini-branch connectors make it possible to branch the tubing in a tub for 2 or 3 TB-Maxi using only 1 drip tubing connection to the water supply. The mini-connector also has the advantage of allowing for the simple removal of the tub for relocation.  The end caps can be used for closing off 3 mm nozzles, such as the T-connectors or mini-branch connectors. The corer is a simple tool for making a hole in which the TB-Maxi can be easily inserted.  

Connection to tap water

The required pressure reducer fits a standard water faucet with ¾ inch outer threading. The water faucet must be kept constantly open for operation of the system. If the tap is to be used for a garden hose in addition, then it is practical to use an optional 2-Way-Branch Connector, this allows for the watering functions (hose or Tropf-Blumat) to each be used separately.
The pressure reducer sets the pressure at 1 (0.8) bar, the pressure from the water source should not exceed 6 bar. It is also possible to connect to a house tap with less upstream pressure.
It is important, that the pressure reducer be stored over winter protected from frost, or for the purpose of winter operation, that the water connection is located in a frost-free cellar.

Tubing Installation

The 8 mm-water supply tubing should be placed along the bottoms of the planters which are to be watered or possibly a bit further away for the purpose of hiding the tubing under an edge (depending upon the amount of tubing available). The tubing is then led up onto the pots or planting tubs.  At the location of the tub, the tubing is cut and a T-connector is inserted into the two ends of tubing (for the last Tropf-Blumat at the end of the tubing, use an end piece instead of a T-connector).
In order to water planter boxes such as on a balcony, it is possible to lead the drip tubing along the upper edge of the box, thereby requiring only 20 cm of tubing.
When connected to a water faucet, the installation can be laid out as desired, the tubing can be branched, and there can be some variation in elevation within the layout, for example, from the point of the faucet upwards max. 4-(6) m and downwards ca. 2-(3) m. In general, drip tubing should not exceed 150 cm in length, an occasional control and flushing of the tubing is suggested.
The water supply tubing can be mounted using support pins, which are an accessory to the system, but it can also be mounted using any wire fasteners or nail clamps.

System

"Tropf-Blumat" (Tropf = Drip) works using pressure as its basis, it requires a minimum pressure for the correct functioning of the watering head and to avoid cloggage.
The Tropf-Blumat is the heart piece of the entire system and acts as a moisture sensor and dripper at the same time. Every dripper location is therefore sensor controlled according to the tensiometer principle. Also included in the system are fittings to connect the tubing.

Procedure

Fill the Tropf-Blumat with water (part of the sensor function only!) – see Directions for Use  – and insert into moist soil. As the soil becomes drier, water is sucked out of the feeler which is a porous clay cone. This creates a sub pressure (partial vacuum). As the pressure develops, a membrane in the watering head is released (before then it is squeezed together), opening the thin dripper tubing; the tubing begins slowly to drip. The water seeps through the soil once again to the clay cone, causing a lessening of the sub pressure, the valve closes; the dripping slowly stops.

Adjusting

The Tropf-Blumat is adjusted using the brown knob; it should be set so that when the soil is optimally wet, the dripper has just stopped dripping. When first using, the sensor requires a certain settling period. Therefore, adjusting should be carried out only after a day of use. The general recommended adjustments are described in the Directions for Use or in our Recommended Settings. It is important that the adjustment is correct from the beginning! 

Maintenance

The water being used must be clean (there is no filter in the system), it can contain completely water soluable fertilizer. It is recommended to treat water that is extremely hard (over ca. 30°dH) by softening or to use rainwater, if possible. Light lime deposits in the tubing can be removed by rubbing. 
The water inside the sensor should be occasionally checked. However, in general, the water will not need to be topped off during the watering period. Under certain conditions, winter operation is also possible.

Warranty

Blumat Manufacturer Warranty Information