{"id":476,"date":"2020-07-03T15:59:10","date_gmt":"2020-07-03T21:59:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.irrigation.equipment\/?p=476"},"modified":"2021-04-21T15:10:03","modified_gmt":"2021-04-21T21:10:03","slug":"guide-to-blumat-regulated-capillary-mat-systems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irrigation.equipment\/guide-to-blumat-regulated-capillary-mat-systems\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide to Blumat-Regulated Capillary Mat Systems"},"content":{"rendered":"

Overview<\/h1>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Blumat Watering Systems are the epitome of drip irrigation technology.\u00a0 However, installing and operating the systems can be tedious and high maintenance for gardens with a high number of low-volume containers (e.g. several hundred or thousand plants in 1-gallon containers).\u00a0 The problem is only exacerbated when the plants need to be moved around frequently, and a Blumat system can become more of a liability than an asset in these settings.<\/p>\n

Capillary mats are commonly used in agricultural nurseries and greenhouses to efficiently irrigate a multitude of small containers.\u00a0 However, just like conventional drip systems, these watering systems are subject to over and under-watering, needlessly boosting humidity, stressing plants, and requiring more out of dehumidifiers and air conditioners.<\/p>\n

Blumat & Capmat systems combine the two technologies, providing a “Best-of-both-Worlds” solution to efficiently irrigate many small containers with minimal maintenance.\u00a0 Plants can even be moved around without\u00a0any<\/em> additional maintenance to the system.\u00a0 Not even a single valve needs to be turned.<\/p>\n

Plants in smaller containers (5-gallons of volume and under) can be placed directly onto the mat, and automated irrigation immediately begins.\u00a0 When a plant is placed on top of the mat, the weight of the container pushes down into the mat, forcing moisture up into the growing media into the container.<\/p>\n

Design Concept & Configuration<\/h1>\n

Despite the varying capillary mat types, the concept behind operating all of the capillary mat systems in conjunction with a surface Blumat is the same.<\/p>\n

A capillary mat is embedded with drip tape, and wrapped in an anti-algae material.\u00a0 This material prevents algae, fungus gnats, and other unwanted biologicals from colonizing your mat. The material is porous, only allowing water to pass through when a weighted plant is placed on top of it.<\/p>\n

To avoid over and under-watering, the moisture levels are regulated using a flat-bottomed surface Blumat:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

This flat-bottomed Surface Blumat emits into a manifold of BluSoak drip tape, that in turn emits into the moisture-wicking capillary material below it.\u00a0 The material evenly distributes the moisture through the surface area of the mat, before making its way into the containers that sit on top.\u00a0 The Blumat can also be integrated with distribution drippers (instead of BluSoak drip tape) for gravity-fed systems, or smaller capmat systems.<\/p>\n

Here is a diagram outlining the placement of all parts of a capmat system with a Surface Blumat:
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

The orange line on the bottom of the diagram is the water supply line–it is implied in the diagram that this line is coming from either a pressurized line or reservoir, and is continuing on to other capillary mats or Blumat Watering Systems.<\/p>\n

The tape is not actually visible when properly using the mats, but is displayed in the diagram for viewing purposes.<\/p>\n

Capillary Mat Types<\/h1>\n

Sustainable Village carries several different types of capillary mats.<\/p>\n

Aquamat<\/h2>\n

The Aquamat capillary mats are the highest quality mats that Sustainable Village offers.\u00a0 These mats are completely composed, and ready to integrate with Blumat Systems.<\/p>\n

These mats are made up of five components in four distinct layers.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h2>\n

1) Algae & Root-Resistant Foil Covering<\/h3>\n

This black, perforated material prevents algae and other unwanted biologicals from penetrating into the mat.\u00a0 Contrary to popular belief, this material WILL stop roots from penetrating the mat!\u00a0<\/strong> This makes the mats incredibly easy to clean, and moving plants is never stressful–for you, or for the plant!<\/p>\n

2) BluSoak Drip Tape (Not pictured)<\/h3>\n

We replace the black drip tape that is embedded in each mat (pictured) with our BluSoak drip tape (a Guide to this tape is linked below).\u00a0 The BluSoak drip tape works ideally with Surface and other Tropf Blumat sensors.\u00a0 The tape is ideal as it does not have a minimum pressure requirement to function.\u00a0 However, the tape does do best between 2-4PSI, which is generally best achieved with a pressurized system (as opposed to a gravity feed).<\/p>\n

This tape distributes moisture as it is emitted from the Surface Blumat.\u00a0 The tape emits the moisture into the capillary material below.<\/p>\n

3) Evaporation Block Layer<\/h3>\n

This layer prevents salt or other fertilizer build up in the capillary material itself.\u00a0 It also prevents excess evaporation from occurring, and helps to prevent excessively high humidity. This reduces the burden on dehumidifiers, air conditioning appliances, and other temperature\/humidity control infrastructure.<\/p>\n

4) Super-Absorbent Capillary Mat<\/h3>\n

This material does the actual “work” in these systems.\u00a0 This material is extremely absorbent of water and nutrient solution.\u00a0 It is so absorbent that it evenly emits the moisture throughout the capillary material, ensuring there are no overly wet\/dry pockets.<\/p>\n

5) Containment Barrier<\/h3>\n

This a completely waterproof material that prevents all run-off from the cap mat, and prevents unwanted biologicals from growing into\/through the bottom of the mat.<\/p>\n

Basic Capillary Material<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

This capillary material is an a la carte item, and can be used in conjunction with a Surface Blumat, anti-algae material, and drip tape to essentially construct your own version of an “Aquamat” configuration.<\/p>\n

Thick Recycled Capillary Material<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

This capillary material is an a la carte item just like the above material.\u00a0 This material is made of recycled synthetic fibers–it does not use organic materials like jute, cotton, and others that typically rot and do not perform well.\u00a0 This is a more eco-friendly version of the above-material.<\/p>\n

How to Construct a Complete Capillary Mat System<\/h1>\n

Capillary Mat Instructions<\/a><\/p>\n