5.2

Installation (Flat Land - consistent soil)

5.2.1

Above Ground Installation

When planning your installation take special note of any plants with heavy water needs, or high points over which the hose may travel. These will need to be compensated for in your plan.

High Points. In runs under 20M in length, these should not be a problem. In longer runs the Leeaky Hose should be run to either side and linked across the high point with non-porous poly pipe or hose.

High Consumption plants. In many cases these can be compensated for by running an extra length (or circuit) of Leeaky Hose in the root zone to deliver the extra water need during the same watering cycle set for your less thirsty plants.

If this is not sufficient the plant will require a separate feed and extra watering cycles.

Length Constraints. Without surrounding soil and its subsequent hydrostatic pressure, the maximum continuous run of Leeaky Hose above ground from a single feed is 60Metres unless fed in the middle or from both ends. It should also be noted that the longer the run, the lower the flow rate per metre per hour. This is a factor of the physical amount of water that can be passed through a 13mm hose at low pressure in a given period. In some situations this can be as low as ½ Litre per Metre per hour. This translates into ¼ Litre per square metre on either side of the hose. This will be insufficient for some applications, or require impractically long watering cycles. By feeding from both ends the flow rate will be more than doubled.

Installation Steps

1. Plan your watering system (see above)
2. Lay out the hose where required.
3. Connect to water source and turn on tap to ensure that water flows freely through the hose. Then insert end cap or other stopping device.
4. Set flow rate for ‘curing’ (at least 4L/m/h) - See 5.1.2. use method described in 5.1.6.
5. When comfortable that hose is cured and flowing evenly it must be covered with mulch or soil.
6. Check after cycling several times to ensure that the watering profile is within the capillary bandwidth. If it is not, continue the cycling process. (See Cycling 5.1.7)