DIY - Automated Indoor Plant Watering System

Automated System - In Progress

Sometimes we end up having a long day, a long week, an emergency or vacation where we don't have time to water our plants. It happens to the best of us! Well, why not have a remote control and/or timer on your grow room so you don't have to carry these worries with you?

Note: Before you go ahead with this idea, please note that you need to have safety precautions and take them seriously. You are dealing with water and electric outlets.

• Make sure you have a GFCI outlet.

  • Recommendation: https://amzn.to/41VALE6

• IF you are using sprayers, add mylar or plastic to keep overspray inside the shelving area

  • Recommendation: https://amzn.to/4kZFi18

• Buy yourself under shelf trays - I have 2x4 feet shelves so I would get a larger tray to trap overspray.

  • Recommendation: https://amzn.to/4iAxbX7

• Water sensors on your floor

  • Recommendation: https://amzn.to/4iDYKPo

• Camera System

  • Recommendation: https://amzn.to/4iDYKPo

You can go ahead a buy one for a small area, or in my case you might need to customize. In this case I offer assistance with home and garden DIY projects and would be happy to help you lay yours out if you get stuck! I personally have one system for larger potted plants that is automated with a digital screen and remote control.

For help or additional services:

Contact Me

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Some ideas for pre-made systems can be found here:

Supplies 15 potted plants Single Irrigation Probes: https://amzn.to/4iWZ2AE

40 FT Irrigation and timer: https://amzn.to/4bVvhhh

Here is my "Automated "DIY idea that anyone can make:

Irrigation System:

1. Electrical

2. Water Supply:

   Option 1: Spigot/ hose installed directly in room

   Option 2: Fill a bucket manually from rain barrel

3. Filter: Fitted for hose/spigot only

4. Bucket(s):

5. Lid(s):

6. Pump

7. Tubing / Irrigation Supplies

8. Zip Ties

Automation

1. Timer: Manually fill bucket / have automated system with low water sensor

2. Water Sensors

3. Camera

IRRIGATION SET UP:

Item	Purchase Option (online)	Est. Cost	Purchase Option (Store)	Est. Cost
Electrical	https://amzn.to/41VALE6	15	Any GFCI outlet that will match up to your breaker	15
Water Supply (op 1)	https://amzn.to/4iNOJia	8	Spigot / splitter	8
Water Supply (op 2)	FREE	FREE	Rain Barrel / spigot (check locally for food grade bins and a rain barrel spigot)	30
Filter	https://amzn.to/4isx1Rv	27	Carbon filter (city water)	25
Buckets	https://amzn.to/41VWOKY	40	5 gallon bucket (any kind)	4
Lids		included	Fit to your 5 gallon bucket	2
Pump	https://amzn.to/4hJ6y0X	25	Any aquatic pump (check adapters to match your irrigation hose sizes)	25
Assorted Irrigation System	https://amzn.to/4iQSDr7	45	any system, just make sure your adapters and hoses match up to your pump	45
Zip Ties	https://amzn.to/4iyosEP	8	About 6" will do	5
Fittings	https://amzn.to/4c6e3xO	6	1/2" NPT to barb size for your hose	6
2"x4" Tray	https://amzn.to/4iVhtph	35	Check marketplace	25
Mylar Flaps to keep overspray from happening	https://amzn.to/41RMDH8	40	Check marketplace	15
Est. Total		249		205

Important Notes:

PUMP: So this pump I got has a 1/2" NPT fitting, which is the part that screws directly into your pump. The pump itself comes with a massive hose which you do not need. Match the diameter size of your hose plus the 1/2" NPT fitting.

HOSE SIZE: 4/7 mm is what was show on my irrigation kit I bought. Ideally this would convert to 1/4" but this is false. You need to find a smaller "barb" to fit this weird 4/7mm hose.

My recommendation:

Buy and actual foot pf 1/4" hose from your local hardware store and a fitting that reduces to an irrigation tip you can find in your kit. Don't forget your 1/2" NPT to 1/4" barb!

Video Example:

AUTOMATION SETUP

Item	Purchase Option (online)	Est. Cost	Purchase Option (Store)	Est. Cost
Timer OP 1 MechanicalWall Timer for Pump	https://amzn.to/41Wp7Je	13	Any	13
Timer Op 2 App Wall Timer for Pump	https://amzn.to/41UCs4F	30	Any	30
Water Sensors	https://amzn.to/4hFv96Q	15	Any	15
Camera	https://amzn.to/4iZOgts	25	Any	25
Total		65		65

YOUR GRAND TOTAL? $314

Automated Indoor Plant Watering System

Note: You can set up your system with either timer, just keep in mind you do not want to run your pump dry. After an experiment for a few days, you should be able to see how much water you use every day and can prepare for the future. This will all depend on whether you are using a drip system, a spray system, how much water is actually being let out for how long. These are calculations I can help you with if you get stuck.

How do you set up for when you go on vacation?

Well, you should have done your experiment to determine how much water is going to be used during each watering and calculate how many days this will cover. I will always recommend a camera and water sensors on the floor so you know that this is happening safely while you are away. This way you have a failsafe by being able to intervene with a phone app.

How Much Water Will I Use Per Day?

I would safely say, 1-2 gallons a day for (2) 5- shelf shelving units. You can always get a rain barrel or larger barrel to cover longer trips.

Concerns about city water quality? Check out this article: Can I Water Plants with Chlorinated City Water?

Follow me on YouTube @DIYWITHCHELSEA for weekly Product Reviews, Garden Updates and general DIY projects.

~DIY With Chelsea