Reddit mentions of DIY Micro Automatic Drip Irrigation Kit,Houseplants Self Watering System with 30-Day Digital Programmable Water Timer 5V USB Power Operation for Indoor Potted Plants Vacation Plant Watering [Gen 4]

Here is the pump I’ve only been using it a few weeks so I can’t tell you anything about its longevity but I like it. You can set it to run for 1-99 seconds in intervals from 1hr to 30 days. Unfortunately that means a little math. For example I found with my setup it pumps 1 gallon in 540 seconds. So for 1/4gallon / day / each of 3 plants = 68 seconds of watering every 4 hours.

If you get it don’t use the clear tubing that comes with it. Get some proper black irrigation tubing so you don’t get stuff growing in the lines.

I've been using this little auto-watering pump I got off amazon. It draws from a 5 gal bucket and puts out 1 C of water per 60 second run. Plenty for my seed trays. Not bad for $40. The Space heater is on a timer and keeps it about 10*F warmer than the ambient temp at night... not sure if this will be enough when it drops down to 16* next week but I assume it will be OK as I am only keeping cold hardy stuff in there for now and my tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant are inside under a fluorescent shop light til April. Zone 6a TN.

​

I use one of these with great success. It's cheap, it's simple and it's worked well for me for ages. I have the intake tube stuck through a hole in the lid of a 5 gallon bucket full of water with the nutes already mixed in.

It's pretty simple, set the length of time to water, tell it how many times a day to water and that's it. I'm using 1 unit for my tent containing 4-5 plants. I'd estimate that I've got it pretty close to maxed out. You might be able to do 6-7 plants if they were smaller or otherwise didn't need a ton of water.

I used this when I was out of town for a week, worked well :

DIY Micro Automatic Drip Irrigation Kit,Houseplants Self Watering System with 30-Day Programmable Water Timer and 5V USB Power Operation for Indoor Potted Plants or Vacation Plant Watering [Gen 3] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0743F4532/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_5g1KBb3B2ZMHR

Fish tank pump on a smart plug?

I use one of these for my normal watering without the auto function.


DIY Micro Automatic Drip Irrigation Kit,Houseplants Self Watering System with 30-Day Digital Programmable Water Timer 5V USB Power Operation for Indoor Potted Plants Vacation Plant Watering [Gen 4] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0743F4532/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Ky3BCb9APHBAN

But unfortunately at the max setting it only does 1/2gal per time interval and only equal time intervals. It works well with autos in small pots and just to keep plants from totally drying out if I go out of town.

Amazon sells a auto waterer that's powered by AAs and/or a usb cord, I use one for one of my indoor trees, just hook it in the side of a 5 gallon bucket and set it for how often you want it watered, the little brass filter will clog, it's best to take it off and weigh the hose down with something so it stays at the bottom. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0743F4532/

Super easy and I've been using mine for a couple of months now, no issues so far except for the clogged filter thing. Make sure you test it before, and make sure it's set for minutes not seconds.

Go get some Sledgehammer flush. and run it through the plant after you have let the soil dry for 4- 5 days. Do yourself a favor and buy an automated watering system, which will run you about 35$ on amazon. This way you will be able to have precise watering on a schedule and prevent this type of noob mistake.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0743F4532/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

here the one i use. I just went to the store and bought a 5 gallon jug and use it for the reservoir. Best move ever. Also, if it is your first grow, take a tip from an old head and DONT fuck with them too much. Less is more with growing.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0743F4532?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_asin_title

It might be perfect for you then. When it was working well, I loved it.

Someone a few weeks ago had a similar issue and used this thing and said it worked...

basically bought this https://www.amazon.ca/Automatic-Irrigation-Houseplants-Programmable-Operation/dp/B0743F4532/ref=sr_1_19?crid=11LXMM521O95X&keywords=drip+irrigation+system&qid=1559330762&s=gateway&sprefix=drip+iri%2Caps%2C134&sr=8-19

​

1. a tote/water storage bucket
   
2. 1/4 inch tubing, I think I've used 30-40 ft but that's cuz I've messed a bunch up
   
3. 1/4 inch drip emitters
   
4. 1/4 tubing connectors
   
5. just bought a 130 GPH pump (coming in mail)
   
6. 1x digital controller on amazon (idk there are dozens), (coming in mail)
   
   ​
   
   You can get pretty much everything from Home Depot. They have a section for drip irrigation at the big one near me.

I will definitely have to grab a timer for my light.

The small system Im going to use is this

DIY Micro Automatic Drip Irrigation Kit,Houseplants Self Watering System 30-Day Digital Programmable Water Timer 5V USB Power Operation Indoor Potted Plants Vacation Plant Watering [Gen 4] https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0743F4532/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_oqC0Cb786QFCK

5M Micro Irrigation Set Water Misting Cooling Drip Sprinkler System for Patio Garden Landscape Flower https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B072VBBN6Z/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_RLC0CbDFGCF5T


I plan on using wooden dowels drilled into the wooden crates so that I can vertically position the misting nozzles properly. The rest of the line/drip nozzles I will secure to the wood and run to the plants to (hopefully) keep it looking clean.

Im considering a basic wooden ikea type shelf where I can separate the Bonsais and strategically place lights / misting nozzles above.

Hopefully these links work..Im pretty new to redit and this is only my 3rd post. I apologize if it doesn’t work.

You need this!

How long do you think an inverter/car battery setup would run a small water pump to water plants? What would be a good way to recharge the car battery? Are you saying there are more options to run a water pump/timer remotely? Cause my crop is far away from traditional means of power and water and I'm trying like crazy to find a reasonable way to do this so I can setup automatic watering.

This is way originally have me the idea for a battery operated pump with a timer. It gets so many mixed reviews about quality that I'm hesitant to try it.

DIY Micro Automatic Drip Irrigation Kit,Houseplants Self Watering System with 30-Day Digital Programmable Water Timer 5V USB Power Operation for Indoor Potted Plants Vacation Plant Watering [Gen 4] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0743F4532/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_.NyBDb95WRT4W

DIY Micro Automatic Drip Irrigation Kit,Houseplants Self Watering System with 30-Day Digital Programmable Water Timer 5V USB Power Operation for Indoor Potted Plants Vacation Plant Watering [Gen 4] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0743F4532/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_.y8BDb92BV4CB

You could get a programmable timer that attaches to a faucet, and pick up some irrigation tubing at your local hardware store - they have all sorts of nozzles / sprayers / drippers that could be set up to auto-water your outdoor plants.

If you're in an apartment (with no faucet access) another alternative could be to get one of the pump systems that attaches to a bucket. I'm not sure if it would be strong enough to mist/spray, but perhaps just some dripping water in the right place would be enough?