Dripper Systems: Origin, IWS Dripper Pro and DIY Drip Lines
A dripper system waters every pot from one tank: a pump pushes feed through a supply pipe and thin lines to a dripper in each pot, on a timer. Below: the dripper systems we sell, the parts to build your own and how to keep drippers clear.
How a dripper system works
The timer runs the pump for short spells: "little but often" feeding, which the Origin pages say reduces the risk of overwatering from hand watering once a day. The run-off decides the type:
- Recirculating: the run-off drains back to the tank, whose pH and EC drift, so check them every day or two (see pH and EC meters). The Origin kits work this way.
- Run-to-waste: the run-off is thrown away.
The Origin systems
The Small, XL and XXL pages list a pump, delivery system, and flood and arrow drippers in the kit. Every Origin page says the timer is not included.
| System | Tray; tank | Pots | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin System Small | 60 x 60 cm; 30 L | 4 x 6 or 11 L | Ideal for a 1 m x 1 m tent |
| Origin System Large | 75 x 75 cm; 50 L | 4 x 11 or 18 L | Ideal for a 1.2 m x 1.2 m tent |
| Origin System XL | 90 x 90 cm; 70 L | 4 x 18 or 25 L; 8 x 11 L | The Origin 8 XL page gives the same tray, tank and 8 x 11 L |
| Origin System XXL | 115 x 115 cm; 150 L | 20 x 6, 16 x 11, 8 or 9 x 18, 5 x 25 L | Page suggests a segmental timer |
Which medium? The pages say the kits take most media, but every one recommends clay pebbles, for more air at the roots and a simpler set-up; the XL page says soil often needs a separate nutrient tank. Rinse new pebbles first, or the dust can block pumps and drippers (see our clay pebbles and rockwool guide).
IWS Dripper System Pro: 4 to 48 pots
The IWS Dripper System Pro feeds pots on stands from one FlexiTank, sold as IWS Dripper System Pro - Small Stands or IWS Dripper System Pro - Large Stands. The size options pair each pot count with a FlexiTank of 100-750 L. The pages say it suits soil, coco or hydroponics, but not what comes in the kit (pump, timer or control unit) or where the run-off goes, so ask us first.
Build your own drip lines
Use our supply pipe and dripper line and fittings ranges, from the tank outwards:
| Part | Product | What its page says |
|---|---|---|
| Tank | Flexitanks | Foldable; 100 to 750 L |
| Filter | Inline Filter Low Pressure | 16 mm; straight after the tank |
| Supply pipe | Flexi-Tube 16mm (OD) - by the metre | Standard hose-pipe size |
| Manifold | 8 Outlet Manifold & FBSP Tee Combo | 16 mm pipe to eight 4 mm outlets |
| Or | 12 Outlet T.O.P Spin Dripper Assembly | 12 adjustable drippers |
| Dripper line | 3mm Dripper Line - 20m | 3 mm; easy to route to each pot |
| Drippers | Drippers | Flood, Arrow 2 L/h, Octa-Mitter, Astra 2 or 8 L/h |
| Line ends | Inline Taps, End Stops | Isolate or flush a line; close a run |
The manifold combo has 4 mm outlets and our dripper line is 3 mm (the IWS Dripper System Pro - Spares & Accessories include a 4 mm line), so ask us which line fits. The Drippers page says the Flood is unrestricted, for systems with a pressure regulator or small ones; the Arrow is regulated to 2 litres per hour, for media that do not drain freely; the Octa-Mitter is adjustable. As a rule of thumb, use pressure-compensated drippers such as the Astra on long lines, so far pots get as much as near ones.
Pump and timer. The Maxi-jet Pumps page gives each model's maximum head (how high it pushes): MJ500 93 cm, MJ750 164 cm, MJ1000 148 cm. Flow falls as the lift rises, so pick a head well above your highest dripper. The XXL page suggests a segmental timer, such as the Optimum Timer (formerly Grasslin), whose shortest setting is 15 minutes; for shorter runs, the Time-R Digital Timer runs a pump by the second or minute. The Imperium Dripper Timer page does not say what it switches, so ask us before pairing it with a pump.
Run the system on plain water and check every joint for leaks before planting, and keep plugs, timers and leads off the floor with a drip loop (see our grow tent setup guide).
How often to run the drippers
As a rule of thumb, start with a few short runs in the light period and add more as the plants grow. Wilting with a light, dry pot before a run can mean too few; yellow, limp leaves and a pot that never dries back, too many (see our yellow leaves guide). Never let coco dry right out.
On pebbles or rockwool, use a hydroponic feed, not a coco one (see which nutrients for soil, coco or hydro): Canna Aqua for recirculating systems, Canna Hydro or House & Garden Aqua Flakes for run-to-waste rockwool (see our House & Garden feed chart). Empty and remix a recirculating tank regularly; weekly is usual.
Keeping the drippers clear
A blocked dripper shows up as a dry pot. Fit an inline filter after the tank and add a line cleaner, such as those in our nutrient management range: fertiliser salts can block drippers.
| Cleaner | What its page says | Dose on the page |
|---|---|---|
| House & Garden Drip Clean | Drip and gravity-fed systems, such as IWS drippers and Autopots | 1 ml per 10 L |
| ATA Clean | Prevents and removes calcium, iron phosphate and algae deposits | 10 ml per 10 L |
| Dutchpro Keep It Clean | Prevents salt and mineral build-up | 1 ml per 10 L |
Between crops, flush the lines through an inline tap, and keep the tank dark and free of dead roots (see our root rot guide).
Which dripper system should I choose?
- Four plants in a 1 m or 1.2 m tent: the Origin Small or Large on clay pebbles, plus a timer.
- Eight on one tray: the Origin XL with 8 x 11 L pots, or the Origin 8 XL; for 20 x 6 L pots, the XXL.
- More pots than one tray holds: the IWS Dripper System Pro, 4 to 48 pots on stands.
- Coco in pots: run-to-waste drippers from the parts above, with a coco feed (see our coco coir guide).
- Rockwool slabs: run-to-waste drippers; the Rockwool Slabs page lists drip irrigation.
- Soil, and no power: an Autopot (see our Autopot guide).
Quick answers
What is a hydroponic drip irrigation system?
A tank, a pump and a timer feeding each pot through its own dripper, little and often. The run-off goes back to the tank (recirculating) or is thrown away (run-to-waste).
What is a dripper manifold?
A fitting that splits one supply pipe into several dripper lines. The 8 Outlet Manifold & FBSP Tee Combo takes 16 mm pipe into eight 4 mm outlets.
How often should drippers run?
As a rule of thumb, start with a few short runs a day: a light, dry pot before a run can mean too few; a pot that never dries back, too many. Never let coco dry right out.
More Growers' Guides
Not sure what you need? Call the shop on 0117 971 3000 or pop in to the Bristol store and we'll help you pick.