Welcome to the EZ-Flo Buying Guide! If you are here to determine which EZ-Flo unit is best for your system, you’re in the right place! 

EZ-Flo units are a great match for a wide variety of systems as they come in various sizes and system capacities. Before selecting an EZ-Flo, you will need to know a few things about your system. If you don’t know this info, and would like assistance, please reach out to our helpful customer service agents at support@dripdepot.com. 

Before you get started; here are the three things you will need to know:

1. The water source you will be using 

- What will you be connecting this to? (Hose Bib, Mainline… etc.)

2. The method of watering used in your system

- Watering using drippers, dripline, drip tape, sprays, sprinklers, etc.

3. What ratio of fertilizer to water you will use 

- How much per gallon? This can typically be located on the label of your fertilizer.

Before you continue! Confirm your fertilizer is 100% water-soluble!

In order to determine the best EZ-Flo for your system, we’ll need to know some specifics about your system and water source. In this article, we will walk through gathering the information needed and how to use this information to select an EZ-Flo unit. 

In this article we will cover:

1. Your water source and the connection to the EZ-Flo.

2. Measuring the PSI of the water source.

3. Automated systems and constant pressure applications.

4. Calculating the flow rate of your system (You will need 2.5 GPH or above for all units).

5. How to select a tank size using your feed ratio and system flow rate.

First - You will need to know the water source you will be using.  

This will be the first step to determine if you will be using a mainline system or a hose bibb system. 

Mainline systems are recommended for larger applications that utilize manifolds and valves, but they can be used with other applications. The Mainline systems come in a range of different tank sizes; 1.5, 2.5, 5, 9.4, and 10 Gallon options. These require a PVC ball valve to connect to the water source. The ball valves are available in sizes from ¾”/1" up to 4”. 

Hose bibb units are designed for exactly that - hose bibb connections using hose threads. These units are typically recommended for smaller, backyard applications. These are available in ¾ and 2 gallon units. There is also a 1 gallon PVC constant pressure unit available as well in hose threads. 

These units connect using a ¾” hose thread adapter that is compatible with other standard ¾” hose threaded fittings. (You’ll want to double-check your hose bibb/ outdoor spigot is ¾” Hose threads). If you need to convert your threads and would like help - ask us!

Second - Gathering system specifications of YOUR system.

Next, we will find out what the PSI (pressure) is at your water source, if your system will be under constant pressure, and the flow rate (GPH) used in your system.

PSI is important to consider because all fertilizer injectors have maximum PSI ratings. If an EZ-Flo is used with pressure outside of the specified operating conditions, this can cause damage or failure of the tank. If used outside of operating conditions, the manufacturer’s warranty is void. 

PSI in Hose Bibb units: (What is your pressure at your hose bibb?)

If you have 50 PSI or above at your hose bibb you will need to use a pressure regulator in order to use the ¾ or 2 gallon units. (The 1 Gallon PVC unit can be used with 50 PSI). The pressure regulator will need to be installed before the EZ-Flo to ensure the pressure going into the tank is under 50 PSI. 

If you have less than 45 PSI at your hose bibb, you will not be required to use a pressure regulator. However, it is still be advised to do so if you plan to use drippers or other low-pressure watering devices.

If you have high pressure (50 - 80 PSI) and will be using watering devices that require 50 PSI or above; and do not plan to use a pressure regulator, you could use one of the 1 Gallon hose bibb constant pressure units. These have a maximum PSI of 80.

PSI in Mainline Units: (What is your pressure at the manifold?)

The EZ-Flo Mainline units and constant pressure unit are made out of PVC, which is able to withstand up to 80 PSI. If your system is above 80 PSI, a pressure regulator will be required in order to be within the operating pressure of the unit. 

If the EZ-Flo unit will be installed before the manifold and valves, you’ll want to confirm the pressure going into the valves is 80 PSI or below. Installing the unit before the manifold and valves allows the unit to run with every zone. 

If the unit will be installed after a valve, you’ll want to confirm the pressure after the valve is 80 PSI or below. Installing the unit after a valve will allow the unit to run only with that specific zone. No other zones will receive fertilizer. 

Need to test your pressure? You’ll want to check it using a pressure gauge.

Third - Automated systems. Will your system use a timer or a controller?

You will need to know how the unit is going to be installed, and what conditions it will be under. If it will be under constant pressure, this will be incredibly important to note.

What is constant pressure? 

Constant or static pressure refers to applications where the water source is left on. This normally occurs in automated systems. There are two main types of automated systems; 

1. Hose bibb systems that use a timer in order to turn the water on and off at the set programmed times. 

2. Mainline systems that use a controller and valves to water different zones. 

In hose bibb systems that use a timer, the EZ-Flo unit will need to be installed after the timer. The ¾ and 2 gallon units are not designed to withstand constant pressure. Installing the unit after the timer allows the pressure to be relieved from the unit. 

If you do not install the EZ-Flo after a timer, the unit will be under constant pressure. In this application, we recommend using a hose bibb constant pressure unit.

The picture here shows a system that is under 50 PSI at the water source. This means a pressure regulator does not need to be installed before the hose bibb connector. 

However, if the hose bibb had higher than 50 PSI, the hose bibb connector should be installed after the pressure regulator.

If you have questions about how to install the EZ-Flo in your head assembly, please ask us!

If you will be using a controller and valves, you’ll need to determine if you want the EZ-Flo to fertilize one single zone (valve), or if it will inject for all zones (all valves). If a single zone, it can be installed after the zone valve. Or, if it will inject for all zones, it will be installed before the valves.

Important to note: If the EZ-Flo unit will be installed before the manifold and valves, you’ll want to confirm the pressure going into the valves is 80 PSI or below.

Fourth - Calculating the flow rate (GPH) of your system.

The next part to consider in your system specifications is the volume of water your system will be using. With various different watering devices, it will be important to accurately calculate the flow rate used by the system. Below are examples and formulas for different watering devices. If you don’t see your watering device here, and would like assistance, ask us!

How to calculate flow rate:

Drippers: You’ll need to know how many drippers you have and the flow rate of the drippers. You will multiply your total number of drippers by their specific flow rate.

Example: Let’s say you have 50 drippers that are 1 (GPH) each. You would multiply 50 drippers x 1 GPH = 50 GPH total for all 50 drippers. 

Drip tape or drip line: You’ll need to know the total number of feet used, the emitter spacing and flow rate of the emitters. 

Example: Let’s say you have 200 feet of ½” drip line tubing with emitters every 12” that are 1 GPH each. 

1. To make things easy, convert your total feet to inches. (# of feet x 12)

200 feet x 12” = 2400” total.

2. Divide the total inches (2400”) by the emitter spacing (12”). (# of inches/spacing)

2400” total/ 12” emitter spacing = 200 emitters total.

3. Finally, multiply the total number of emitters by the flow rate. 

200 emitters x 1 GPH = 200 GPH. 

Flow Rate in Hose Bibb Units:

The hose bibb units require a minimum of 2.5 GPH in order to operate. Systems that use less than 120 gallons per hour (GPH) may require an EZ-Flo Flo-Disc in order to inject solution into the drip system. There are three discs provided with each EZ-Flo hose bibb unit.

Flow Rate in Mainline Units:

Mainline units require a minimum of 2.5 GPH as well in order to operate. If you have under 2.5 GPH this unit will not operate properly. EZ-Flo does not list maximum flow rate capacities for the mainline nor hose bibb units. 

Fifth - Selecting a tank size:

By now you should know:

1. The type of tank you will be using (Hose bibb or mainline)

2. The (PSI) pressure in your system 

3. The installation of your unit (automated or constant pressure)

4. The flow rate (GPH) required by your system. 
   
   

   Before you continue! * If you do not have all of this info, you will need to get it before moving on to the next step. Need help? Ask us!

What induction rate do you want to inject the fertilizer at?

Induction chart for hose bibb units:

Slow 1000:1 (2/3 tsp. per gallon) 

#1 500:1 (1-1/3 tsp. per gallon)

#2 250:1 (1 Tbsp. per gallon)

Fast 100:1 (2 Tbsp per gallon) 

Induction chart for mainline units:

Slow 15000:1 (1/20 tsp per gallon) 

#1 8000:1 (1/10 tsp per gallon) 

#2 2000:1 (2/5 tsp per gallon) 

Fast 400:1 (2 tsp per gallon)

You’ll want to consider the tank capacity in regard to the feed rate and the flow rate you plan to use. Here are the specs for the Hose bibb units:

If you have a higher flow rate, and/or plan to use the fast feed rate, the bigger tank would allow you to go a longer time without having to refill the tank. 

Specs for the Mainline units:

If you plan to use a feed ratio outside of those listed, an EZ-Flo unit may not be the best match for your system. Or, one resource you may want to utilize is the manufacturer of the tanks, EZ-Flo. They would be best able to assist in confirming the best EZ-Flo unit to use, and how to best use it, if your induction ratios are outside of those listed. 

Lastly, here is a quick step by step guide on how to get the right amount of fertilizer into your system:

Choosing a unit:

Here is a simple worksheet for you:

1. My water source is:

2. PSI of water source (Tested with a pressure gauge):

3. The watering devices I am using are: 

3 a. How many emitters:

3 b. The flow rate of each emitter: 

4. Total system flow rate (GPH): 

(Number of emitters x flow rate of the emitter)

5. I want to use a feed ratio of: 

(# tbsp or tsp: 1 gallon of water)

Here is a short, very helpful video from EZ-FLO about tank size selection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwuFiBw8YQQ&t=3s