Chemilizer vs. EZ-Flow/Hoss. What will work best for me?

[BrassavolaStars]

Hello all,

Sorry if this question is getting repetitive. I am still not sure what to do.

I am still deciding how to sort out my new watering infrastructure. I am now between a Chemilizer and an EZ-flow as my choice. That said, I am open to other options as well.

In my ideal setup, this new device would add a preset amount of fertilizer to the hose water and then I could just water normally with my hose.

I would be hooking up whatever I get to where my hose connects to the outdoor water supply that comes from the city water. I do not have wells or anything like that. It is very urban.

As seen in the picture, the pipes from my house are quite short. Ideally the new device would attach between the splitter and the hose.

I’m willing to spend up to a few hundred, but I cannot alter the plumbing coming from the house. Getting a plumber is definitely not possible for now.

I have had both an EZ-flow/Hoss injector and a Chemilizer suggested to me as possible solutions.

I do not know how I would install the Chemilizer. From the pictures I saw of it, it looks like I would have to build a lot more plumbing on the existing pipes which I am not sure I am up to. If it does not require me building a bunch of complicated new valves and PVC pipes, I heard pretty good things about them and it would be a stronger contender. It certainly needs at least the addition of a tub to hold solution in.

The EZ-flow looks a bit simpler and more straight forward. It looks like it comes with everything I need and it can just hook up after the splitter and before the hose. That said, the online reviews have been more mixed with regard to longevity and fertilizer accuracy.

I have no idea about either at the end of the day. What are my options? Are there options I have not thought of that I am discounting?

[Ray]

The EZ-Flow device pushes fertilizer solution into the water stream by injecting water into the concentrate tank. That slowly dilutes the concentrate, so the final solution delivered to your plants immediately after you mix a batch, and that delivered a week later, will be different. I suppose that’s not all that bad, as long as you feed and water everything at each watering, and refill the tank on a regular, scheduled basis.

Metering pumps, like the Chemilizer, mechanically pump the concentrate directly into the water with no dilution.

Your adapter dilemma is easily overcome by mounting the Chemilizer on its own stand with rigid 3/4” PVC pipe on the inlet and outlets. Attach a female hose adapter to the input pipe, a male hose adapter on the output pipe. Disconnect your watering hose from the splitter bib and connect it to the outlet of the pump. Buy or make a short garden hose to connect the bib to the inlet side of the pump.

Done without modifying the plumbing.

Folks sometimes use a hand truck for the pump stand, with a 5-gallon bucket attached to the base as the concentrate tank, making the entire thing portable.

[Clawhammer]

I have used a Dramm Syphonject successfully for 3 years to accomplish this. Your water pressure just needs to be high enough. Much simpler and less expensive

Amazon.com

[estación seca]

I don't recall the minimum flow required through a Chemilizer for proper dilution. I think it's pretty low; that's one of their selling points. But I would call the company and ask. The hose-end siphons require high water flow for proper proportioning. It's OK for a garden but not for watering one small plant at a time.

[Clawhammer]

Originally Posted by estación seca

It's OK for a garden but not for watering one small plant at a time.

Works great for me, OP said they ideally want to water normally with a hose.

I use the included dramm rain style head for no flow restriction. It also doesn't overwhelm the plant with water.

[estación seca]

The Dramm doesn't draw much concentrate at low flows.

[Bayard]

Chemilizer is long lived, the parts are available and it is very accurate.

[Ray]

I used to use a Dramm Siphonject, but got frustrated with the sensitivity to flow and pressure changes.

In my (then current) conditions, if I used a hose less than 1” in diameter or more than 15’ long, I got no fertilizer injection whatsoever.

[Clawhammer]

Originally Posted by Ray

I used to use a Dramm Siphonject, but got frustrated with the sensitivity to flow and pressure changes.

In my (then current) conditions, if I used a hose less than 1” in diameter or more than 15’ long, I got no fertilizer injection whatsoever.

Interesting, I must have good water pressure then. I tested the injection rate by siphoning from a gallon reservoir, while filling a 10 gallon tub. After filling the tub about a half gallon of water had been used from the reservoir, so my injection ratio is 20:1

I am 65 feet from my tap. I put the siphonject between a 50' hose and a 15' hose. My hose is a standard 5/8's. I go through 7 gallons of concentrated ferts every 6 weeks watering approx 475 orchids.