Drip line question - 1/2" or 1/4" lead?

[hellfreeze]

I've been asking around Home Depot and Lowes, and unfortunately I keep getting different opinions. Can someone here help?

I have about a 50' area where I want to install a drip line. Currently I have one of two options, but I'm not sure which one is the proper way to do it, or if there's even a difference.

a) At the half-way mark, run 1/4" tubing 25' in each direction. Each side will only water two plants.
b) Use 1/2" tubing for the entire 50' and branch off with 1/4" tubing for each of the four plants.

I understand most everything else about drip systems, but I'm confused between having a 1/2" or 1/4" lead. I understand 1/4" will allow for less water, but at what point does it make a difference?

 

[DayLaPaul]

I think as long as you have the necessary water pressure, the 1/2" is better in every way. You can use any type of attachment nozzle on the 1/2" that you can on the 1/4", but not vice versa. You also have more options for expanding the drip system in the future.

The only benefit with going with 1/4" would be less water pressure required and slightly less cost. I would go with the 1/2" unless I were 100% sure I would never want to expand.

 

[BoomerD]

I use 1/2" as the main feed line for my entire garden and tree beds then 1/4" tubing to the individual plants. If you've only got a couple of plants, you could easily get by with 1/4" from the "T" depending on what gallonage you want to deliver to the four plants. I'm sure one of the math whizzes here can tell you what your delivery rate will be with 1/4" tubing with the appropriate water pressure. (you should have a pressure reducer so that you don't get more than about 30 psi, otherwise you'll constantly be reconnecting things like drippers and "T"'s.)

Myself, I'd just run 1/2" tubing for the entire run, then 1/4" to the individual plants.

http://www.rainbird.com/drip/

http://www.dripdepot.com/?gclid=COTswP6XmaICFRYBiQodtRuPXA

http://www.dripirrigation.com/download_gen/DSL20-L.pdf

 

[AlienCraft]

Do 1/2 inch as a trunk line and feed to individual plants with the 1/4 if you can fit the 1/2 in in there.

Dripper emitters put out the same amount, regardless of pressure, to a point. A 1/4 in lne is subject to clogs too easily in my book.
Just use it for drop to individual plants, imo.

 

[Eli]

I use 1/2" as the main feed line for my entire garden and tree beds then 1/4" tubing to the individual plants. If you've only got a couple of plants, you could easily get by with 1/4" from the "T" depending on what gallonage you want to deliver to the four plants. I'm sure one of the math whizzes here can tell you what your delivery rate will be with 1/4" tubing with the appropriate water pressure. (you should have a pressure reducer so that you don't get more than about 30 psi, otherwise you'll constantly be reconnecting things like drippers and "T"'s.)

Myself, I'd just run 1/2" tubing for the entire run, then 1/4" to the individual plants.

http://www.rainbird.com/drip/

http://www.dripdepot.com/?gclid=COTswP6XmaICFRYBiQodtRuPXA

http://www.dripirrigation.com/download_gen/DSL20-L.pdf

Yep, this is what I would do. 1/2" for the entire run, and 1/4" to the individual plants.

 

[hellfreeze]

Thank you for all the responses. 3 of the 4 plants will only be getting 2 GPH drippers and the water source will be a 1/2" sprinkler riser. I have no future plans to expand it, but perhaps I'll go ahead and stick with the 1/2" just in case.

Again, thank you for your responses.

 

[hellfreeze]

Actually one last question. On the video it said 1/4" tubing is good for a maximum of 30 ft. What is the maximum length for 1/2"

I have two 50' areas along the fence and am wondering if I should install two leads or just one?

 

[AlienCraft]

My front yard is two loops of approx 60ft each, fed through a T fitting from a garden hose attachment from the timer manifold in the back yard.
No problems with pressure. even on the sprayers. All shoot at least 10 ft. I put valves on each so they can be toggled depending on conditions.