What is the model number of the timer. If it's the 91591 or 56082, you can't set the zones to run separate. Whatever you set the first zone for, the second on comes on after the first one is done, and waters for the same duration. They aren't smart enough to run separate programs. Put the mulch on top of the soaker hose, but be sure to use a pressure regulator and monitor the hose on occasion. I hear a lot of stories of soaker hose from HD not holding up very well.

denni, Is this well water? You have answered your own question. Try a vinegar soak and municipal water flush or buy a new hose when this happens. Try a hose with larger pores or make your own 1/16" holes. Are you using a pressure reducer with your hose? How long until the hose clogs? Aloha

hex2006- Just 4 times a day? Is that the practice? I've heard about switching on/off every 15/30 mins and that sounded somewhat less than optimal to me... If you flood the roots for 15 mins, wouldn't that be too much for many plants? Conversely, leaving it to dry for 6 hours, isn't that detrimental or at least stressful for many varieties (and even if there is enough moisture, does the plants have enough access to nutrients)? Jeremiah- Yeah, the power consumption was high on my priorities when I considered hydroponics. It's not like I'm gonna sell the produce but I am in a dire lack of excess money to burn- that's why the pump power consumption actually did seemed important to me (unless I'm growing weed then that is a whole different matter). I calculated that if a simple 10W pump ran for 24/7, 365 days, it would amount to 87.6KW. I pay 20c for KW/h, so a yearly cost would be around 17.52$. The price of tomatoes at my local market is a little more than 1$ per kg. That means that simply to cover the usage cost of this one pump I need to grow more than 15kg. You can see why I'm not a fan of letting the pump work more than it needs to. Lol, I missed your meaning, when you said "making the box water tight " ,did you mean the timer box or the grow box? because in both cases I just use a discarded bucket/cereal box with some water proof glue on the lid. Ghetto to the max! And when you say “digital plug timers” you are referring to this type of thing?: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-LCD-Display-24H-7day-Programmable-Timer-Electronic-Plug-Switch-110V-US-/361252796244 If so, then like the with my opening post, they have up to x powerons per day. Very annoying. , , , The second scenario you described is actually pretty nifty, but I fail to see the advantage if indeed rapid switching will burn out the pump. My case however is the common first scenario (mostly because of space constrictions (the sun is at the top)). I don't know if it is that 'rapid', but if the pump fills the bucket in 4 minutes (and turned off due to power conservation) and the drying occurs for another 11 mins- then we are talking about 90 cycles per day (I have no idea if that is a good growing practice, but speaking hypothetically). I took your warnings about the quick burnout to heart, but I'm not sure what's the alternative in an ebb-flow system (other than cycling it to 2 operations per hour). One thing I thought of changing is the placement of the pump. according to Kleeems explanation ,a partial cause for the failing is the column of water already present in the pipes, overloading at each start up. Seems like it can be solved by placing the pump in an upside fashion near the top... thanks guys.

I think I've used almost every kind. I keep one on a drip line to my birdbaths year round, just removing them when the temps go below freezing so I can turn the faucet off. I have had good luck with the Melnor, which is what I've had most recently. The one i have now has lasted well and I have not had to replace the batteries for over a year, even tho' it turns on 4 times a day, every day. The trick I finally learned, after blowing through batteries, is I now have a plastic tub/bucket placed upside down over the timer (it's large enough to fit over the faucet handle and timer) to protect it from the rain. It's made such a difference in the longevity of the batteries. It's easy to set and easy to override if you want to do something manually. I have the kind that also has an outlet that isn't controlled by the timer so I can put a hose on it and use it without disturbing the timer: my timer