Sizing lines

[JPD]

How many taps can I put on 5/16" lines with 8% slope and how many taps would be acceptable in 1/2 " main line with 8% slope? I am actually on a 25' drop over 300 feet.

[maple flats]

With that drop on gravity fed lines you could have 15 or maybe even 20 taps on laterals (5/16), and run them up the face of the hill keeping them as steep as possible. But the main should not be run steep, try about 3-5%. Over 5% tends to create turbulance in the line and is not as good. A 1/2" main might be good for 60-75 taps. Consider 3/4", slightly more costly but lots more choices in fittings to connect laterals to it and now you can go 250 taps (if you add vacuum) or about 350 and stay gravity.

[JPD]

I would rather use a larger line but I had nearly 2000' of 1/2" mainline given to me with fittings and all, so for this year I will use it as a main line and run it as a latteral next year.