Chris, Check with an irrigation store or plant nursery or even a plumbing supply store. They will be much more knowledgeable about what would work. Pumping water 30 feet takes 20 psi pressure. Add the pressure to support the system for drip(25 psi), you are looking at a pump that delivers 50 psi( I am adding a factor of safety for you). I find one that produces that water lift and with the flow rate you desire. Look at the pump curves for the various pumps or believe the Salesman's literature and add 20%. JMHO. Aloha

Hi Shireen, Sorry about your back, but I would NOT do an automated system because you live in an apartment (rented I presume) with people below you which is even worse. I would make a system that you can turn on and off while you are watching the watering of your plants. Probably a five gallon bucket with a small submersible pump. If the pump puts out 10-15 psi of pressure that would be enough if it is higher then use a pressure regulator in-line to give that type of pressure. The line from the pump should be pvc (more secure lines and fittings)and run to the ends of the shelves. A small PVC line (can be painted any color) running along the shelves or even fastened under the shelves and if the shelves are away from the wall, a small poly-line from the pvc line can be taken to the pot and emitter fastened in place to water each plant. Fertilizer can be added or not to the 5 gallon bucket as needed. Emitters come in different volumes to vary water times. Each emitter used some pressure from your system. You can't put an unlimited number of emitters on your system. You have to balance the number of emitters to the psi of your system. The higher the psi the more water can be lost into your apartment from a break or pullout and the more likely a chance of a pullout occurrence. Mount the switch of the submersible pump at a convenient height. Aloha.

A submersible pump is more efficient and has less problems long term. JMHO.

Yes, because you are maintaining a constant pressure. Think of it like you would for electric output: if you have 10 same wattage lightbulbs in a house the lights each put out the same light provided the amperage is adequate. For water the flow rate is similar to amps and pressure is the voltage. Total water use is like the wattage. In the left photo you are using a lot more water overall. I would do as Happy Hill Farm noted and use the standard 1 1/4" header line. You can then easily tap into it with control valves that adapt to each dripline. They cost about $2 each and will last many years. At the opposite end of each row just tie the dripline to a short stake leaving 8" beyond the knot. Then fold the driptape in half horizontally and then twice onto itself before sliding a cut 4" piece of driptape over the folded driptape. I run 220' lines frequently. The one problem with any slope in the line is that when you turn the water off the water in the driptape continues to flow downhill due to gravity and therefore the lower end always gets a little more water.