Ingenious DIY X-mas tree self-watering system
Posted in art, literature & other distractions on Friday, Nov. 28, 2008The idea is that if the water levels are at equal levels (from the floor) at the outset, the tree will drink the water from it’s reservoir, causing the water level in the reservoir to lower, which in turn will cause the tube to suck in more water from the number 2 reservoir automatically. It’s basic physics! All you need to do is check the water level in the reservoir doesn’t get too low for the trick to work. Put a mark at the good high level. My tree seems to drink it down to about a quarter inch below that marker a day.
The hardest part is getting the water to go through the tube and into the tree reservoir’s pan without an air bubble. To do this, suck the water from reservoir 2 into your mouth (just a little, no need to chug it), then quickly block the end of the tube with your thumb without allowing an air gap, then insert that end into the water in the tree reservoir’s pan. Pin it under the tree trunk if there’s a little space there, the opening needs to be in the lowest part of the reservoir.
Check on the water level every now and then.
UPDATE: it works! the water level in reservoir 2 has gone down by a quarter inch. Success!!!
NEW UPDATE: put the tree trunk in a bucket of water the first night — it really drinks like crazy the first night or two. Then put it in the tree stand.
ALSO: if you notice the water is not moving in the tube once the water gets to a certain level, put a towel under the tree stand, and fill the reservoir to a point a little higher than the tree stand. This will cause it to overflow very slowly onto the towel. By slowly, I mean you won’t be able to perceive it if you watch it. Go take a shower or something. When you come back, just skim off the excess, and it should be sipping away fine for the next few days.





























