Case Study: How MixRite transformed Richard’s fertigation system
Richard, a horticulturist with a commercial greenhouse (we’ve changed his details), struggled with an inefficient fertigation setup. As a result, some plants weren’t getting enough nutrients, which led to poor plant growth. Additionally, Richard’s system lacked proper flushing, so fertilizer buildup and clogging in the irrigation lines meant more maintenance and costly downtime.
It was frustrating, time-consuming, and expensive.
Determined to improve his operation, Richard sought advice from one of our fertigation specialists, who recommended installing a MixRite A & B fertilizing system with two TF10 dosing pumps.
The problems:
- Uneven Fertilizer Mixing: Richard’s previous system failed to evenly mix A & B fertilizers, leading to nutrient imbalances in different parts of the greenhouse.
- Oversized Pump Costs: He had been using a single large dosing pump, which was expensive and difficult to calibrate accurately.
- Unbalanced Flow: The water wasn’t flowing evenly through his system, meaning some areas got more fertilizer than others.
- Blockages and Maintenance Issues: Poor water quality and a lack of proper flushing cycles resulted in frequent clogging of drippers and lateral pipes.
- Difficulty in Monitoring Fertilizer Levels: Without a proper inline meter, Richard struggled to maintain the correct fertilizer injection ratio.
Solution implemented:
Richard installed the Mixrite A & B fertilizing system with two TF10 pumps in parallel, following a few key steps:
- Smaller Pumps, Big Savings: Instead of one large pump, he used two smaller TF10 pumps, each handling half the water flow, reducing costs without sacrificing efficiency.
- Balanced Flow Distribution: Identical plumbing to each pump ensured equal fertilizer mixing. He also installed gate valves before each pump to fine-tune the flow.
- Irrigation-Only Option: A ball valve allowed him to run irrigation cycles without fertilizer when needed, reducing buildup in his pipes.
- Flush Cycle Integration: To prevent fertilizers from lumping together, Richard implemented a manual and automated flush cycle using his irrigation controller’s solenoid valve.
- Accurate Fertilizer Monitoring: Installing a CE Inline meter allowed Richard to precisely adjust the injection ratio, ensuring plants received the correct fertilizer concentration.
- Cleaner Water, Fewer Clogs: A 130-micron filter helped keep debris out, reducing blockages and maintenance.
Precision, efficiency, and adaptability
After implementing the Mixrite system, Richard saw marked improvements. His plants were healthier, his irrigation system ran smoothly, and clogging issues were minimised. He saved time and money on maintenance and the fine-tuning of the entire fertigation system optimised fertiliser usage, which reduced waste and, again, saved money.
Richard’s investment in the Mixrite A & B Fertilizing System transformed his operation, proving that a well-designed setup does make all the difference.
It’s all in the mix
MixRite pumps bring precision, efficiency, and adaptability to fertigation. Please contact us for advice on your irrigation and fertigation needs and how MixRite can help your operation grow.