Irrometers

The IRROMETER Model MLT (Miniature Low Tension) tensiometer was designed for use in small containers commonly used in greenhouses and nurseries. Its compact design and short insertion depth of 4.75 inches (12 cm) allows the MLT to be installed in smaller growing vessels. With a range of 0-40 centibars (cb) or kilopascals (kPa), this instrument is for use in situations where tensions above 30 cb (kPa) are rarely expected. Gauge increments of 1 cb (kPa) provide a benefit where finer resolution near saturation is needed. This model instrument is also well suited for conditions where rapidly changing soil moisture conditions need to be observed. The "Quick-Flo" ceramic tip is colored blue for easy identification Click here for Irrometer's instruction manual.

Read more less

Irrometer tensiometers measure soil water tension, also called soil moisture tension: how hard plant roots have to work to extract water from the soil. The analog gauge provides a continuous, at-a-glance reading without electronics, making it useful for monitoring irrigation and comparing moisture conditions at different depths in the root zone. Want to understand the readings? See our Measuring & Managing Moisture in Living Soil for a deeper explanation of soil moisture tension, mbar/cbar/kPa, sensor placement, volumetric water content (VWC), and using moisture measurements to manage irrigation. Available Options ＋ Choose the model for the soil or growing media you are measuring, then select the length for the depth you want to monitor. Low Tension (LT), 0–40 cbar — for potting mixes, living soil, containers, raised beds, and other relatively wet or coarse growing media. Available in 6″, 12″, and 18″ lengths. Standard (SR), 0–100 cbar — for native and field soils where a wider tension range is useful. Available in 6″, 12″, and 18″ lengths. How It Works ＋ The water-filled Irrometer exchanges moisture through its ceramic tip until it comes into equilibrium with the surrounding soil. As the soil dries, tension inside the instrument increases and the gauge reading rises. After irrigation, the reading falls as the soil becomes wetter. Irrometer gauges read in centibars (cbar). Soil water tension can also be expressed in kilopascals (kPa) or millibars (mbar): 1 cbar = 1 kPa = 10 mbar. Choosing a Length ＋ Length determines the depth of the ceramic tip and therefore the part of the soil profile you are measuring. A 6″ Irrometer monitors closer to the surface, 12″ reaches farther into the root zone, and 18″ is useful in deeper beds or when you want to track moisture movement lower in the soil profile. Using Irrometers at more than one depth can show how deeply an irrigation event recharged the root zone instead of relying on a single measurement near the surface. Service Kit Options ＋ Service kits make setup and maintenance easier by helping pull a vacuum inside the Irrometer. This removes trapped air, helps identify leaks, and speeds instrument response. Both service-kit options include Irrometer fluid/dye and instructions. Basic Service Kit — syringe, fluid/dye, and instructions for a simple way to pull a vacuum. Pump Service Kit — hand pump, fluid/dye, and instructions for faster vacuum service and leak checking. None — Irrometer only. Important Notes ＋ Irrometers must be filled and free of trapped air to respond properly. Good contact between the ceramic tip and the surrounding soil is important for a representative reading. Instrument length affects both measurement depth and the analog reading, so compare readings with the Irrometer length in mind. One service kit can be used to maintain multiple Irrometers.

Read more less

A good but less expensive Irrometer service kit. It includes a syringe pump instead of the standard ones used in the other service kits. It also comes with the Irrometer fluid, chart forms, a reference book, and canvas bag.

Read more less

Service Units are designed to aid users in the placement and installation, interpretation of readings, and maintenance of IRROMETER soil moisture indicators. Several helpful items are included in the kit. The primary component of a Service Unit is a small hand vacuum pump. The pump is designed to seal on the reservoir portion of the instrument body and is used to create a vacuum manually, evacuating any air contained in the tensiometer. These instruments function with the greatest accuracy when all air has been removed. One Service Unit will service multiple instruments. The Pump Service Unit is different in that it includes a pump with an integral vacuum gauge that registers in centibars (cb) or kilopascals (kPa). This is used to validate accuracy of the gauge on the IRROMETER being serviced. Click here for Irrometer's instruction manual.  

Read more less