Tubing failure

[reepss]

So this was my first attempt at using tubing. I setup 3 lines of 5/16 tubing each with 5-10 trees using the clear check valve spiles. I tapped on January 1. I never saw the good runs. I was getting more sap per tree from the ones on old school aluminum 7/17 spiles and buckets. Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions on how to improve my yield. I am located in southern CT. Thanks

[Cedar Eater]

Just curious why you used 5/16" instead of 3/16". You can get natural vacuum with as little as 4 trees and 15' of drop with 3/16". You can use 5/16" spiles and drop tubes and reduce down to 3/16" with either special tees of with a reducing connector.

[Maplesapper]

2nd year on 3/16th for us.
No comparison versus buckets or the 5/16 from our perpective.
We use the standard white 3/16 spiles.
Good luck reepss

[dcast99]

What kind of slope do you have? Are the lines nice and tight with no sags? Try to get as much drop off after the last tap as possible. Generally buckets will out produce tubing with little slope but with tubing you only have 1 collection point versus 15 to 30 buckets to empty.

[reepss]

I have about anywhere between a 3' and 10' drop in total. unfortunately all of the trees are at roughly the same height. would I be better to put those trees on individual drops into buckets?