NDJ ClickTif HD Drippers: Precision On-Line Drip Irrigation for Pots, Containers and Beds

Introduction

On-line drippers — individual emitters that click or push onto a supply pipe and deliver water to a single plant or pot — are the backbone of pot plant, container, and individual plant irrigation in greenhouses, nurseries, and protected horticulture. They offer the flexibility to irrigate plants at different spacings and with different water requirements from a single supply line, making them ideal for the diverse plant ranges found in most nursery and greenhouse operations.

The NDJ ClickTif HD is a professional-grade on-line dripper designed for precision, reliability, and ease of installation. Available in barbed and tapered connection versions across a wide range of flow rates, with complete stake sets for pot and container applications, the ClickTif HD range covers the full spectrum of on-line drip irrigation requirements.

What Is the NDJ ClickTif HD?

The NDJ ClickTif HD is a pressure-compensating on-line dripper with a non-drain feature, manufactured by NDJ, a specialist irrigation component manufacturer with a strong reputation in professional horticulture. Pressure compensation means the dripper delivers a consistent, accurate flow rate across a wide operating pressure range — making it suitable for systems with elevation changes, long supply pipe runs, or variable inlet pressure. The non-drain feature prevents water from draining out of the supply pipe and dripper when the irrigation cycle ends, keeping the system primed and ready for the next cycle without wasting water or causing wet patches around pots.

The non-drain valve closes automatically when pressure drops below approximately 3 metres head (0.3 bar), holding water in the supply line between irrigation cycles. This is particularly valuable on sloped benches or tiered growing systems where gravity drainage would otherwise empty the supply pipe after each cycle.

The ClickTif name refers to the audible click that confirms the dripper is correctly seated on the supply pipe — a simple but effective quality assurance feature that prevents under-insertion and the leaks that result from it.

Key Technical Features

• Pressure compensating — consistent flow rate across a wide operating pressure range, regardless of pressure variation along the supply line
• Non-drain valve — prevents drainage from the supply pipe when the system is not running; closes at pressures below approximately 3 metres head (0.3 bar)
• Click-fit connection — audible click confirms correct insertion, preventing leaks from incomplete seating
• Available in barbed and tapered connection types — to suit different supply pipe configurations and installation preferences
• Wide flow rate range — 1.3 to 12 L/hr across the full range, covering everything from seedlings to large container trees

Barbed vs Tapered: Which Connection Type Do You Need?

The NDJ ClickTif HD is available in two connection types, each suited to different supply pipe configurations:

Barbed Drippers

Barbed drippers connect to the supply pipe via a barbed inlet that is pushed through a hole punched in the pipe wall. The barbs grip the inside of the pipe wall to create a secure, leak-free connection. Barbed connections are the standard for most greenhouse and nursery bench irrigation systems using 16mm or 20mm PE supply pipe.

Barbed ClickTif HD drippers are available in four flow rates:

• 1.3 L/hr — for small pots, seedlings, and plants with low water requirements
• 2.0 L/hr — the most widely used flow rate for standard pot plant production
• 3.0 L/hr — for larger pots and plants with higher water demand
• 4.0 L/hr — for large containers and high water demand crops

View NDJ ClickTif HD Barbed Drippers

Tapered Drippers

Tapered drippers use a tapered inlet that pushes directly into a pre-punched hole in the supply pipe without barbs, relying on the taper to create a friction seal. Tapered connections are easier to remove and reinsert than barbed connections, making them a practical choice for operations that frequently reconfigure their irrigation layouts or move plants between positions.

Tapered ClickTif HD drippers are available in a wider flow rate range, including higher flow options for large containers and trees:

• 1.3 L/hr — seedlings and small pots
• 2.0 L/hr — standard pot plant production
• 3.0 L/hr — larger pots and medium water demand crops
• 4.0 L/hr — large containers and high water demand crops
• 8.0 L/hr — large pots, grow bags, and trees in containers
• 12.0 L/hr — very large containers, trees, and high-volume applications

View NDJ ClickTif HD Tapered Drippers

Complete Dripper Sets with CNL Barb Stakes

For pot plant and container irrigation, the NDJ ClickTif HD is also available as a complete set including the dripper, a CNL barb stake, and the connecting micro-tube. The stake anchors the dripper outlet in the growing medium, directing water precisely to the root zone and preventing the dripper from being dislodged by plant handling or watering.

Complete sets are available in two stake lengths to suit different pot sizes and growing media depths:

• 50cm stake sets — suitable for standard pot plant production, smaller containers, and bench irrigation where the supply pipe runs close to the pots
• 80cm stake sets — for larger containers, grow bags, and applications where the supply pipe is positioned further from the plant

Both stake lengths are available with 1.3, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 L/hr drippers, giving you the flexibility to match the flow rate to your crop's water requirement while choosing the stake length that suits your bench or container layout.

View NDJ ClickTif HD Complete Dripper Sets

Choosing the Right Flow Rate

Selecting the correct flow rate is critical for efficient, uniform irrigation. The right flow rate depends on your crop's daily water requirement and your irrigation duration:

Required flow rate (L/hr) = Daily water requirement (L/plant) ÷ Irrigation duration (hours/day)

As a practical guide for common UK horticultural crops:

• Bedding plants and small pot plants (9cm to 1 litre pots): 1.3 L/hr
• Standard pot plants (1 to 3 litre pots): 2.0 L/hr
• Larger pot plants and shrubs (3 to 10 litre pots): 3.0 to 4.0 L/hr
• Large containers, grow bags, and trees (10 litre+): 4.0 to 8.0 L/hr
• Very large containers and specimen trees: 8.0 to 12.0 L/hr

Substrate soft fruit common practice:

• Strawberry bags 5 x 1.3l/hr dripper sets 
• Raspberry and blackberry pots 2 x 2l/hr dripper sets 
• Blueberry large pots 4 x 1.3l/hr dripper sets.

These are starting points — always monitor plant water status and adjust irrigation duration or frequency to match actual crop demand, which varies with season, weather, and growth stage.

System Design for On-Line Drip Irrigation

Supply Pipe

NDJ ClickTif HD drippers connect to standard 16mm or 20mm PE supply pipe. The supply pipe should be sized to keep flow velocity below 1.5 m/s and pressure loss along the lateral within acceptable limits. For most greenhouse bench applications, 16mm pipe is sufficient for runs up to 30 to 40 metres with standard dripper spacings.

Pressure

Because the ClickTif HD is pressure-compensating, it delivers a consistent flow rate across a wide operating pressure range — making it well suited to systems with long bench runs, elevation changes between benches, or variable inlet pressure. The non-drain valve holds water in the supply line at pressures above approximately 3 metres head (0.3 bar), keeping the system primed between cycles and preventing drainage on sloped benches.

Filtration

On-line drippers have small internal flow paths that are susceptible to blockage. Always filter your irrigation water to at least 120 micron (120 mesh) before the supply pipe. Our Amiad Filters range includes inline options suitable for greenhouse and nursery supply lines.

Punching the Supply Pipe

Use a dedicated punch tool sized for your dripper connection type to create clean, correctly sized holes in the supply pipe. An undersized hole will make insertion difficult and risk splitting the pipe; an oversized hole will cause leaks around the dripper inlet. Punch holes at the correct spacing for your plant layout before threading the pipe through the bench.

Installation Tips

• Lay the supply pipe along the bench before punching holes — measure and mark hole positions to match your pot spacing
• Flush the supply pipe thoroughly before inserting drippers to remove any debris from installation
• Insert barbed drippers with a firm, straight push until you hear or feel the click confirming full insertion
• Position stakes so the dripper outlet is directed into the growing medium, not onto the pot rim or foliage
• Check all drippers are flowing correctly after the first irrigation cycle — any that are not flowing indicate a blocked inlet or incomplete insertion
• Cap the end of each supply pipe run to allow periodic flushing of accumulated debris

Maintenance

NDJ ClickTif HD drippers are low maintenance but benefit from periodic inspection:

• Check for blocked drippers at the start of each season and after any period of system inactivity
• Soak blocked drippers in clean water or a dilute acid solution to dissolve mineral deposits
• Replace drippers that cannot be cleared or that show physical damage
• Inspect supply pipe connections for leaks around dripper inlets, particularly after plant handling or bench reorganisation

Conclusion

The NDJ ClickTif HD dripper range offers a reliable, flexible, and cost-effective solution for on-line drip irrigation in greenhouses, nurseries, and protected horticulture. With pressure compensation for consistent flow across varying pressures, a non-drain valve to keep the system primed between cycles, barbed and tapered connection options, flow rates from 1.3 to 12 L/hr, and complete stake sets for pot plant applications, the ClickTif HD is a genuinely professional dripper at a competitive price point.

Browse the complete NDJ Drip Irrigation range at IrriSmart, including barbed drippers, tapered drippers, and complete dripper sets with stakes. Contact our team for advice on choosing the right flow rate and system design for your crop.