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Tropf Blumat Systems

The tropf blumat is a dutch invention basically for automated garden irrigation. In the garden each blumat carrot has an area type of effect, so one hydroponic application is to use a flood and drain table as a growing area, and put blumat carrots at certain intervals.

The tropf blumat itself is composed of a terracotta cone that lets water (or nutrient solution through), and a top with an integrated flow adjuster. In the top of the carrot is a shut off valve, which is activated by back pressure against the terracotta cone. The top of the sensor also has a dripper pipe, to evenly distribute the fluid and ensure that there is not just one wet zone. The back pressure that activates the shut off valve is created from too much moisture in the growing medium, so if the medium is too wet, the tropf blumat shuts off. The blumats are used by simply burying the terracotta cone into the medium, and hooking the sensors up in series and finally to the reservior.

As these are designed for irrigation, they can be gravity fed, reducing the growers dependance on power sources. This means that for outdoor applications, i.e. shadehouses, that are far removed from any power source, either this type of system, or autopot is ideal.

Medias

Any medium that holds a considerable amount of water can be used for a tropf blumat system.

What's in a Tropf Blumat Kit

A kit we put together for creating a tropf blumat system will contain:

• 35 litre gravity feed reservior

• Tropf Blumat carrots (one for each pot)

• Irrigation and fittings to suit (incl 13mm fexible hose, 6mm flexible hose)

• Pots with holes (any number)

• Medium

• (optional) HID light

• (optional) Stand for pots to flow excess into reservior

The Hydroponic Warehouse
Shop 3, 73 Pickering Street, Enoggera
Brisbane QLD Australia
(Opposite Enoggera Bowls Club.)
Phone: +61 (07) 3354 1588 Fax: +61 (07) 3354 3622
E-mail: tonyl@bigpond.net.au