Misting System - each nozzle need drip reducing for benefit?

[jdcook72]

Why can’t I use regular nozzles and just put one drip reducing check valve in-line before all the nozzles? Or, I was thinking of putting a bypass loop before the nozzle line with a shutoff I can use to fine too the flow. My pump is 100 psi, 1.4 g/min; at those figures I don’t think I should be concerned with the loss of flow/pressure on the nozzle side (6 x .01 g/min) from the amount of open shutoff needed to let the pressure release through the bypass instead of dripping through the nozzles.

Does this sound right?

[wishIwereAnExpert]

I did exactly as shown in the picture, and it works fine.

For the valve I used a needle valve from savko.com, this allows for more precise adjustment than a ball valve.

-Solly

[defaced]

I don't have time to detail why right now, but take your bypass all the way back to your resavoir, or place your resavoir above your pump so the inlet+bypass junction always has water in it.

[alanwolf]

How many nozzles are you running or plan to run on that pump?

[defaced]

^

My pump is 100 psi, 1.4 g/min; at those figures I don’t think I should be concerned with the loss of flow/pressure on the nozzle side (6 x .01 g/min)

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What pump model are you using? I'm interested in looking at the pressure/flow curve for it.

[jdcook72]

Originally Posted by alanwolf

How many nozzles are you running or plan to run on that pump?

I will be misting a split 46 gal bow-front, each half will be about 18”W x 12”-16” front to back and 20' high. I think two heads per side would pro’ly cover it but I’ll be putting in three just for the heck of it – one for each of the sides w/background and one for the floor area. Eventually I’ll have another viv with three or four more nozzles set up next to this one and just share the pump. The nozzles are rated at .01 gal/min so I’m thinking the pump could easily handle scores of nozzles even with the bypass.

Originally Posted by defaced

What pump model are you using? I'm interested in looking at the pressure/flow curve for it.

I was able to find a 115 VAC pump, it is a SHURflo model 8005-912-260, open flow, 1.4 gal/min, 100 psi. It is new/old stock but discontinued so I couldn’t find and curve data for it. The current SHURflo model that most closely matches the specs I have is 8000-812-280. These are internal bypass pumps, not a demand pumps. I was just thinking that with the internal bypass I wouldn’t need to bother with putting together the external one but since it is rated at 100 psi it would still leave a lot of pressure in the line to drip through the nozzles after it is off. Looks like this pump sells for about $185, I got mine for less than $40 and there are still a couple available on eBay.

[Tripod]

Where did you get your nozzels and how much were they?

[jdcook72]

Originally Posted by Tripod

Where did you get your nozzels and how much were they?

I’m still working out some details with the nozzles. For a similar configuration to the MistKing regular nozzle, the price should be about $13.50. They will be polypropylene with stainless steel spray nozzles. I could pro’ly get this down to about $9.00/unit if I used a plastic spray nozzle and some different fittings I just became aware of that the manufacturer introduced last month.

I already ordered and got started on some of the parts for the stainless steel configuration though and even though it’s a 50% premium, I figure it’s still cheaper than buying them in a kit and it’s stainless steel so I’m not too worried about it. I might try plastic on the next set of nozzles if I think the savings would be worth it.

If I changed one of the smaller components in the nozzle to brass, I could shave the price down to $11.00 but from what I’ve read brass is not good. If it’s just a small component, minimal surface contact with the water flow, would it be that detrimental to the viv?

Maybe the premium for the stainless steel setup will be worth it in the long run, does anyone know what the duty cycle is for the Tefen nozzles? MistKing has replacements for $3.49. After one replacement I’d almost be up to the cost of the stainless setup, I’m sure the SS is much more durable than the plastic and I think it could be cleaned out easier if it ever got clogged. You could use a fine gauge wire to unclog it without worrying about deforming the orifice.

When I get everything for the nozzle put together, I’ll take pictures and list the components so anyone that wants to try the same setup can.

[defaced]

Going off of the flow curve for the substitute pump you listed, it can push about 1.25 gal/min @ 35psi (generally the lowest pressure a nozzle like this will work properly). Assuming a 50% efficency in the misting tubing (length of run, diameter, material, fitting junctions), you can run about 65, .01 gal/min nozzles with that pump.

All of the Tefen nozzles come with an internal SS filter screen, it looks like 100 mesh - that should catch all of the solid matter in the water.

If you do some searching on Tefen in the archives you can find Marty's source for the nozzles. They're 1.25 a peice if I remember right. I've also found them online at other retailers.

If you could, PM me the seller's name. I might have to grab the other pumps.

[jdcook72]

For the small number of nozzles that I’ll be running, even after any future expansions to my system, I knew the pump would be more than adequate. Thanks for running the numbers.

I found the distributor Marty mentions, $1.20 for the red nozzles, I think they are the standard nozzles without the anti-drip valve. With the bypass in the system I don’t think that is an issue though. Only problem for me is the $50 minimum order. Not good for me when I’ll only need 15 nozzles ever. Could you tell me the other retailers you’ve found, I’ve had trouble searching them out.

You have a PM