Choosing the right drip tape for your project can feel a bit overwhelming. This guide was designed to simplify the process by walking you through each of the four selections that must be made when choosing a roll of drip tape to purchase. These four selection choices are the diameter of the tape, the wall thickness of the tape, the emitter spacing, and the emitter flow rate. After detailing each selection, you will find a frequently asked question section at the end of this guide.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website.
There are 4 diameters of drip tape on the market. The smallest and most common size is &#;&#;. The other sizes are &#;&#;, 1 &#;&#; & 1 &#;&#;. The majority of drip tape sold is &#;&#;. If you are purchasing drip tape for a garden or small farm where row lengths are 600 feet or less then we highly recommend the &#;&#; tape. The larger sizes are only used in large farming operations.
Wall Thickness
Wall thickness of drip irrigation tape is measured in mil. Available thicknesses range from 5 - 15 mil. With 5mil being the thinnest and 15 mil being the thickest. If you are new to using drip tape we strongly recommend starting with 15 mil. The thinner walled tape is less forgiving and can be damaged easily by someone that is unfamiliar with drip tape installation.
For home garden use we always recommend 15 mil tape. As it will last several seasons whereas the thinner walled tape will only provide one maybe two seasons of use. 15 mil tape is more expensive, however, being able to use it for multiple seasons will make it less expensive in the long run. Below is a chart of available wall thicknesses and expected longevity.
Wall ThicknessLife Expectancy5 mil1 year6 mil1 year8 mil2-3 years10 mil2-4 years12 mil2-4 years15 mil5-10 yearsDrip tape has pre-set drip points built into the tape. So there is no need to buy additional drippers/emitters. It is important to note that no additional emitters can be added to drip tape. Unlike poly tubing, no holes can be punched into dip tape to allow for the insertion of barbed drippers. Emitters are spaced at one set distance for the entire roll of tape. For home gardens the most popular spacing is 12&#;. That means every 12&#; there will be a drip point for the entire run of tape. Emitter spacing is normally matched to the type of crop being watered. Below is a chart with popular emitter spacings and what crops or application use that emitter spacing.
Emitter Spacing (in inches)Crops or ApplicationOther Considerations4"Flowers, Peppers, GreenhousesGood for Sandy Soil, Short Runs6"Germination, Onions, GarlicTight Plant Spacings8"Germination, Strawberries, VegetablesHigh Flow for Sandy Soil12"Good all-around choiceIf Low Flow Emitter Used - Great for Long Runs60"Blueberries, HopsLong Runs of Plants Spaced Far ApartWhen selecting the flow rate for your drip tape there are 3 considerations to keep in mind.
Run Length &#;The longer the run length you need per row of tape then the lower the flow rate per emitter is needed. The reason is that longer run lengths have more emitters and the more emitters there are the more water is being used per line. Thus, in order not to exceed the capacity of a system lower emitter flow rates are used to accommodate for longer runs of tape. For anyone that needs run lengths of 500 feet plus, we recommend using a &#;low flow&#; emitter (see chart below).
When planning a home garden tape system run length is not going to be a limiting factor because the rows are generally short and any of the emitter flow rates can be used.
Soil Type &#;No matter the scale of your drip tape system soil type is a consideration that everyone should think about. The three main types of soil are Clay, Loam, and Sand. Below is the flow rate selection for each soil type.
Soil TypeSoil CharacteristicsEmitter SuggestionClayDoes not drain wellLow Flow: .11-.16 Gallons Per Hour (GPH)LoamDrains wellMedium or High Flow: .18 -.46 GPHSandDrains the fastestHigh Flow: .33-.46 GPHFiltration &#; It is important to keep in mind that when choosing an emitter flow rate that the lower the flow an emitter has, the smaller the opening for water to drip out is. This means that lower flow emitters can be more susceptible to clogging. So it is very important that if using a low flow emitter to have a good filter with at least 200 mesh. If you know you have water that is hard or has mineral build up it would be best to go with a high-flow emitter to prolong the life of the drip tape.
Lfsprrain Product Page
Drip Tape Mistakes to Avoid:
Drip Tape Mistakes to Avoid in Large Agricultural Systems:
Drip Tape vs Dripline (Commercial/Farm):
Drip Tape vs Dripline (Residential/Garden):
How to Install Drip Tape Takeoff Adapters:
Drip irrigation tape is a kind of water-saving irrigation equipment, which realizes local irrigation by dripping water in the form of point drop directly into the roots of crops, so as to achieve the purpose of water-saving, energy-saving, labor-saving and labor-saving. In practical application, the laying length of irrigation drip tape needs to be determined according to the actual situation.
First of all, the laying length of drip irrigation tape should vary according to the terrain, terrain, water source and irrigation area and other factors. Generally speaking, if the terrain is undulating and complex, the laying length of irrigation drip tape should be appropriately lengthened, so as to better adapt to the changes of terrain. At the same time, the water supply is sufficient in the region, the laying length of drip irrigation tape can also be shortened accordingly, so as to reduce the waste of water resources.
Secondly, the laying length of drip irrigation tape should also be determined according to the design requirements and the actual situation. In the design and selection of drip irrigation tape, we should take into account the irrigation area, crop varieties, growth cycle and other factors, so as to determine the laying length of drip irrigation tape. In addition, when laying drip tape, we should also leave a certain amount of spare length, easy to free expansion and contraction, to prevent the laying of too tight to cause installation difficulties, but also not too loose, resulting in unnecessary waste.
About Plentirain drip tape, with same eimtter spacing, the larger flow rate, the shorter laying length. Because that end emitter working pressure will not enough if drip tape running too long, causing non-uniform flow rate normally. Such as 30cm spacing and 1.38L/H flow rate drip tape, maximum running length is 108m theoretically. However, 4L/H flow rate drip tape maximum running length is 55m only.
The first is to be tested on flat terrain. Second, inlet working pressure is 0.1MPa. Third, flat emitter drip tape diameter is 16mm. Fourth, flow rate deviation is 10%. Fifth, maximum laying length shall not be exceeded when running drip tape.
In summary, the laying length of drip irrigation tape needs to be determined according to the actual situation, and specific adjustments according to the design requirements and the actual situation. When installing drip irrigation tape, you also need to pay attention to some details to ensure the use of drip irrigation tape effect and safety.
Want more information on Labyrinth Drip Tape? Feel free to contact us.