Fertilizing

A fertilizer injector inserts nutrient solutions directly into irrigation water which is then fed directly to the plants.

The need for accuracy, simplicity of use, and the size and diversity of your system will be factors at which to look for when selecting an injector. Visit our fertilizer injectors page for further information.

Water-soluble fertilizers are most reliable in injection systems.

Fertilizers should be completely dissolved in a solution (usually water) prior to injection.

No, only use water-soluble fertilizer in your drip system. Fertilizers that are not water-soluble should be manually applied into wetted areas around emitters to avoid clogging your filter and emitters.

Yes, organic fertilizers can be used as long as they are water-soluble. We have a great selection of organic fertilizers from Vital Garden Supply and EZ-FLO.

Yes. Though when applying organic teas let the tea settle and then filter with a fine cloth before using your injector.

Yes, organic fertilizers used in an injector system take more attention and maintenance than chemical fertilizers. However, after any fertilizer application, a thorough flushing of the system with water for at least ten minutes should be done.

Movement of weak solutions may be hard to see in the tank's outflow tube, but a dose of food coloring can be added to the tank. If there still is no fertilizer flowing, make sure tubing valves are open or shut the system down and wait a few moments to restart it.

Always flush the system after fertilizing to properly maintain your irrigation system. This is especially important when using organic fertilizers.

The 3/4" gallon dip tube (IEZDIP34) is the replacement part for this unit but the universal dip tube (IEZDIP) will work with any EZ-Flo unit. To connect the dip tube to the cap you will need two dip tube adapters (IEZBCF).

Yes, the system can be used to distribute any chemical or fertilizer. Read instructions carefully on the packages of any chemicals you plan to use. Often, products can be combined for one-step applications, but make sure they are compatible before mixing. Flush hose after each use to vent chemicals and pressure.

Fill the tank with the recommended amount of concentrated fertilizer for your unit. See setup instruction sheets.

If there is no fertilizer flowing after a few minutes of operation, shut off the system, wait a few moments and restart it. When starting the system, water flows into the tank until it is totally full and at the same pressure as the watering system. Fertilizer will begin to flow once this has happened. This can take a minute or more when the tank is refilling. Remember, the tank must be completely full of fluid before fertilizer starts to flow. Fertilizer with dark coloring will look darker flowing through the clear tubing than lighter colored fertilizers, even though they are feeding at the same rate. With low flow systems, the fertilizer flowing through the tubing may have less color because the system automatically adjusts the fertilizer ratio to the water going through the system. Dry fertilizers can take longer to begin flowing than liquid fertilizers because they need to dissolve first. If you are using tubing valves, make sure they are in the "on" position. The green cap fittings are connected to the clear, downstream tube, while the blue cap fittings are connected to the black, upstream tubing.

The highest setting on an EZ-Flo unit is a 100:1 ratio (1%). If you fertilize with lower doses over longer periods of time instead of intermittent bursts of higher doses, you are unlikely to over fertilize.

The fertilizer is pulled from the bottom of the tank to maintain as consistent a feed rate as possible. But, since the fertilizer at the bottom of the tank is heavier than the water entering at the top, some dilution takes place.

If the water in the clear tube still has color, it has fertilizer in it. However, you can refill the tank at any time.

Yes. All fertilizer injectors need adequate backflow prevention to protect the originating water supply. Check local codes for the proper back flow unit required in your region.

Acids, caustics, and abrasives should not be used with fertilizer injectors unless the injector, like the internal bypass MixRite (IMR2INBYP), specifies it may be used for this purpose.

Yes, injectors require a 120-mesh filter at minimum.

Yes. Use clear water for the first 1/3 of your cycle, fertilize for the second 1/3, and then switch back to clear water again for the final 1/3. This will prepare the soil to better accept the fertilizer and flush your system afterward.

Yes. Drip Tape has a narrow turbulent flow path and particles gather in this serpentine pathway much like fats build up in ones' circulatory system. If organic fertilizers are required it may be best to use thin walled, relatively inexpensive Drip Tape, which can be replaced regularly as clogging demands.

The MixRite fertilizer injector is the most precise injector we carry.

The hose thread EZ-FLO automatic fertilizer system is the simplest low cost fertilizer injector to put into a small garden.

Generally place your filter after the Mazzei, or any injector, particularly if you are using your system with Drip Tape. If your incoming water has large suspended particles, you may want to install a second filter prior to your injector to prevent plugging.

Mazzei injectors are chosen based on the GPH flow usage of the drip system. (not to be confused with the GPH available from the water source). You will need to add up the combined GPH of the watering devices within the system (emitters, dripline, drip tape, sprayers, and so on). An oversized injector will not draw the fertilizer at all; an undersized injector will restrict the flow of the system. If in doubt always choose a smaller size and install on a bypass assembly. This allows you to adjust the Mazzei's flow with less restriction.

Due to the small capacity of the Chapin injectors, they are most commonly used for small irrigation systems or every day use when using a garden hose to apply fertilizer or pesticdes directly to plants.

Yes, you can find them here: https://www.dripworks.com/drip-irrigation/fertilizer-injectors/ez-flo-fertilizer-injectors/ez-flo-replacement-parts-and-accessories

Yes, we have replacement parts for the Mixrite injectors such as seals, pistons, springs, check valves, and more in the link below. If you are not finding the replacement part that you need, please contact our support team, we can most likely special order any parts that you need. https://www.dripworks.com/drip-irrigation/fertilizer-injectors/mixrite

A check valve is rated to handle constant pressure, it can be placed before an automated valve or timer. A vacuum breaker must be placed after an automated valve or timer if present on the system. Vacuum breakers are more up to code than check valves are, if your local building codes state that you need a backflow device whether or not you are injecting fertilizer into your drip system, the vacuum breaker would most likely be the option that you need.

Yes. A backflow device will be needed if you are injecting fertilizer, the device will prevent fertilizer from running back into the water source once the system shuts off.