And that is what makes an expert an expert!
Using that big ol' lump of gray matter that rests upon our shoulders!
Always good to see improvements on earlier designs.
I have to get my shelves up & running anyway, so may give your design a try. (I was looking at the siphoning, but in a different manner. A little more overkill actually.)
I am still hooked on making "rain" (as is the live sphagnum!), so I may have to modify things a bit, but indeed the siphon is the route to go. (I will likely still try a siphon "loop" so I have some adjustment available, but otherwise the design is simple. And indeed, simple means less to go wrong or mess up!)
I just need to go thru my box of pumps now, to see if I have anything powerful enough, ...or not so powerful that it sprays all over! I did that once years back when I first started, & it was a real surprise! (And mess!) I have been using some cheap $12-$15 pumps from Harbor Freight for my other automated units, but doubt they will pump very high.
(Did you mention what you are using? I didn't see....) Also, what are you using for a reservoir? Is it on the floor or up on a low shelf of its own? (Less pumping to do.)
Again, thumbs up
Butch! As you tried to tell Uphwiz (Jimmy), automating watering of your plants is the biggest time saver you can imagine. It doesn't cost much to do & the rewards are great!
I would highly encourage anyone else here (possessing a small amount of "handyman" skills) to consider this type of improvement to their growing set-up. Especially with the ideas that Butch is willing to share with everyone!
Like they say, even a caveman can do it! (But then I don't know many cavemen here!)
[Well, maybe one or two...!]
(The thing I like most about Butch, is his ability & willingness to actually think, experiment & use his own "gray matter" to come up with developing ideas, instead of letting others do all his work & thinking for him. Bravo Butch!)