Q: How do I connect the micro hose to the main supply hose?

A: You make a small hole in the main supply tube using a hole punch, you then insert a tube adapter into the hole, then connect the micro tube to the other end of the tube adapter. You can then use the micro tube to connect to the drippers, sprinklers etc.

Q: How do I connect the main supply hose to my tap or timer?

A: In order to get a secure fitting we either recommend the "Nut and Tail" adapter, this fits inside the main supply hose and has a barb fitting to ensure its secure. Irrigation hose is slightly different to standard garden hose and therefore the normal Hozelock style fittings are not really suitable.

Q: Do I need a pressure regulator / reducer on my system

A: In most instances you do not need one unless you have excessive water pressure, however its always best to purchase one just in case, this can easily be removed.

Q: Is it best to go for fixed drippers or variable drippers

A: In order to give you the flexibility you need we would recommend variable drippers, these give you the option to vary the output depending on the soil type, plant type pot size or area to be watered and they can also be turned off if you have them located in areas that don’t need watering in the winter.

Q: Do I need to use a stake to put the micro jets onto or can I place them directly into the main hose?

A: In order to give you the best system we would recommend that these are placed onto a stake, this ensures that the jet stays in place and its easier to move around to get the desired watering pattern. We have found that if they are placed directly into the main hose that the hose tends to twist slightly over time and its almost impossible to keep the jets upright and in the right pattern. The other advantage is that the stake rises the jet above the ground and therefore gives a better coverage.

Q: Do I need a timer?

A: The systems do not need a timer to work but for the small additional cost you will have a system that is fully automated and you don’t need to manually switch it on every day or have the worry about getting a neighbors to turn it on when your away, its all taken care off and its well worth the investment.

Q: What type of timer shall I buy?

A: This all depends on what you’re trying to achieve. The deciding factor is how intelligent do you want the timer to be. All of the timers except the Aquauno Pratico allow you to water more than once a day, some of them have pre-programmed times built into them and these are usually more than adequate. The digital timers are more intelligent and allow you to tell the system what time of the day and week it is. This means that if you put the batteries into a dial timer at 5.00pm and asked it to water twice a day it would water at 5.00am and 5.00pm, where as the digital ones allow you to tell it exactly what time to come on and go off and work just like an alarm clock.

Q: Can I leave my timer out over the winter?

A: The timers are not designed to be left out over the winter period and we recommend that they are taken in at the end of the season. The batteries will then need to be removed and the timer stored in a dry place until it is needed again. When you then go to use it again in the spring all it will need is a new set of batteries and away you go.

Q: When is the best time to water?

A: In our experience the best results are obtained with a twice a day system however it all depends on the type of area to be watered i.e. hanging baskets, tubs, borders etc. The best times are about 5.30am, this gives the plant time to take the water in during the day and also allows for any water on the plants leaves to slowly evaporate before the sun comes up. Also late in the afternoon about 6-7.00pm, this ensures that the plant can take in the water but ensures that its not wet and humid over the night time. However you need to keep an eye on how the plants are reacting, some areas might dry out quickly and may need additional watering or extended watering times i.e. hanging baskets and tubs.

Q: Can I mix a soaker hose with a Spray/Mist/Sprinkler system

A: If the soaker and sprinkler system are to be run on the same system then the answer is NO. The problem is that the soaker hose takes away the pressure needed to run the drippers and the sprinklers and therefore the system will not work effectively. The best thing to do is to split the system into two sections and run them separately. We now have available a simple and effective dual timer that makes this job so easy and it even fits directly onto your garden tap, its the Aquadue Duplo and this can be seen in our timer section.

If you have any questions then please email us or give us a call on 0845 1080741 and we will be pleased to help you. We will keep this area updated with the most common questions asked.