Frequently Asked Questions

The ecotube is a microporous irrigation hose that releases water slowly and evenly across its entire surface. It can be installed both above-ground and subsurface, which reduces evaporation and ensures efficient water usage.

Subsurface irrigation saves up to 58% water compared to above-ground systems, reduces weed growth, and supplies plants evenly with water and nutrients.

The ecotube HOME is particularly suitable for vegetable beds, flower beds, shrubs, young trees, and also lawns, as it supplies water directly to the roots.

For subsurface installation, dig a trench approx. 5–15 cm deep and place the ecotube inside. For above-ground installation, place it parallel to the rows of plants. It is absolutely necessary to use a pressure regulator to ensure even irrigation. After a test run, close the trenches. For young plants, please irrigate from above in the beginning. Detailed installation instructions are included with every set.

Under normal garden conditions, you can reduce your water consumption by up to 58% with ecotube. The exact water savings vary depending on the soil type, plant type, and chosen installation depth. This efficiency is scientifically proven: a peer-reviewed university study (published by Springer-Verlag, 2025) confirms that the subsurface, microporous ecotube irrigation system significantly optimizes water use. Compared to above-ground methods, the ecotube system is proven to keep soil moisture in the root zone more stable and minimize evaporation losses.

Source: Scientific Study (Springer, 2025)
Read the study

No. When the irrigation is turned off, the hose drains by itself. You only need to manually empty any filters before winter.

Yes, the ecotube HOME can easily be connected to cisterns or rainwater storage tanks and can be integrated into automatic irrigation systems. When using rainwater, please use a filter of at least 120 mesh.

The optimal operating pressure for the ecotube HOME is 0.69 bar. A standard domestic water connection delivers 3–4 bar, which is too high. Therefore, the included pressure regulator must be used. The maximum pressure for the ecotube HOME is 1.5 bar. The longer the hoses, the more important the optimal pressure and the break-in phase become.

The ecotube HOME is microporous. Plant roots cannot penetrate it. Normally, they grow toward the hose to better absorb water.

If the water is unclean, a water analysis and definitely a filter are required. Use is not recommended if the water has a high iron content.

When using a pump, ensure you do not use a dirty water pump that sits on the bottom, as it stirs up all the dirt and pumps it into the hose. A pump with an expansion tank should be used. Additionally, a filter of at least 120 mesh must always be used to prevent dirt particles from entering the hose. A minimum of 100 m of ecotube should be used; otherwise, the pump would cycle too frequently and might break down faster. An additional consumer (lawn sprinkler, etc.) could further extend the cycling times.

The ecotube HOME is invisible when buried, and ideally, the surface remains dry. You can install a flow meter to continuously measure the flow. In case of deviations, there might be a defect. Alternatively, a soil moisture meter can be used, which can also be used to control an automated system.

A single ecotube line must not exceed a maximum length of 100 m, because beyond that, the water distribution becomes uneven. For this, it should ideally be laid straight and horizontally. A total of 2,000 m of ecotube can be connected to one pressure regulator, provided it is divided into multiple lines.

The ecotube HOME can also be used without pressure, for example, supplied by a rain barrel. Although the water output is somewhat lower, the water flow can remain continuously open. With subsurface irrigation, the plants take the water they need using the suction tension and capillary action of the soil.