Arrow & IronBloom
IronBloom
Hey Arrow, I’ve been sketching out a plan for a micro‑green rooftop that could feed our neighborhood, and I think your precision could help me fine‑tune the irrigation system—got a minute to brainstorm?
Arrow
Sure thing, let’s get the numbers straight. What’s the layout like and how many zones are you planning?
IronBloom
Great! Picture a 200 m² roof split into four 50 m² zones. Each zone will have a drip line for lettuce, herbs, and micro‑greens, a hydroponic stack for vertical tomatoes, a compost bin zone, and a rain‑water catchment area that feeds the whole system. That way we keep maintenance low but output high—what do you think?
Arrow
Looks solid. Four equal zones keep the layout symmetric, which is easier to balance. For the drip lines, aim for a flow rate of about 2 litres per hour per plant, so you’ll need a small pump per zone that can be controlled by a flow‑rate sensor. The hydroponic stack can use a recirculating nutrient solution; just keep the pH steady at 5.8 to 6.2 and the EC around 1.5 dS/m. For the compost bin, keep it on a separate drip line so you can use the liquid as a nutrient mix for the tomatoes. Finally, make sure the rain‑water catchment has a first‑flush diverter so the initial runoff doesn’t bring in debris. With a programmable timer, you’ll get consistency without fuss. Any particular part you want to dive deeper into?
IronBloom
Sounds good—lets focus on the pump and sensor part. Which flow‑rate sensor do you recommend that’s accurate but still affordable? Also, any tips on setting up the timer so it syncs with the rain‑water level?