General Hydroponics AF30 - Manual

Notes
Nutrient mixes can be adjusted in both strength (conductivity) and “flavor” (ie: the ratios of
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfur & Microelements). To adjust
these factors mix different combinations of FloraGro,FloraBloom and FloraMicro with water.
• To enhance vegetative growth, use more FloraGro and less FloraBloom.
• To enhance flower growth, use less FloraGro and more FloraBloom.
• To enhance fruit production, use equal amounts of FloraGro, FloraBloom and FloraMicro.
• To provide more Calcium or Iron (for green, leafy vegetables), use slightly more FloraMicro.
• Many growers follow the 3-2-1 mix:
For vegetative growth: 3 parts FloraGro (ie, tea-
spoons per gallon), 2 parts FloraMicro plus 1 part FloraBloom. For flowering: 1 part
FloraGro plus 2 parts FloraMicro plus 3 parts FloraBloom. For fruiting: 2 parts FloraGro
plus 2 parts FloraMicro plus 2 parts FloraBloom. These units are ratios, not absolute quan-
tities, and are only a suggested starting point. Use a conductivity meter to determine total
nutrient strength.
Nutrients
Nutrients are the lifeline to your plants. Since you are providing the plants with all their
nutritional needs, we recommend you feed them the best. General Hydroponics™ offers
a wide variety of plant foods. We have had great success using our Flora Series 3 part
system (
FloraGro™, FloraBloom™ and FloraMicro™).
1. Fill the reservoir with fresh water. If you are in an area with poor-quality water (over 200
ppm Total Dissolved Solids), we recommend that you use purified water (Reverse
Osmosis and/or rain water). General Hydroponics has a new
Hardwater FloraMicro™
nutrient formula available
2. Add nutrients as per instructions on label. Stir in FloraMicro first, then add FloraBloom,
and FloraGro. Never pre-mix nutrient concentrates. This may cause nutrient “lock-out”.
3. Adjust the nutrient solution pH to between 5.0 and 7.0
(see instructions with the General Hydroponics pH Control Kit).
P.O. Box 1576 • Sebastopol, CA 95473
Phone (707) 824-9376 • Fax (707) 824-9377
www.generalhydroponics.com
© GENERAL HYDROPONICS 2003
AeroFlo 2 30
hank you for purchasing a General
Hydroponics AeroFlo
2™ System. AeroFlo 2™
Systems represent the state of the art in
hydroponics today. Plants grow superbly in our
smallest hobby systems as well as our largest com-
mercial version.
The AF30 is a great mid-sized system, which
offers you the option of expanding your system by
adding two more chambers to the un-used side of
the manifold.
You will soon find that setting up and operating
an AeroFlo 2™ System is easy and fun. We look for-
ward to your growing success and we welcome the
opportunity to serve you during the coming years.
T
TM
Unpacking
See the diagram above and familiarize yourself with the parts.
Set Up
Plants can be grown almost anywhere using an AeroFlo
2 System.
Greenhouses, patios, and even indoors under lights, make great locations.
An AeroFlo
2 can be installed where there is warmth, light and fresh air. It is
advised to choose a clean and level place to set up your system.
Snap Stand
Support Structure
6’ Growing Chambers
Expandable Manifold
Reservoir (20 gal)
Drain/Overflow Tube
General Hydroponics™
FloraKit Nutrients
MAG 7 Pump (inside)
Also Included:
Hydroton™
Grow Cups with CocoTek™ Liner
Drain Tube lubricant
Drain Valve
Cap Plugs (2” & 6”)
Laser Sprayline (inside)
Pumpline
DRAINING THE SYSTEM
Turn pump off, unscrew swivel fitting which
attaches to pumpline. Connect a garden hose
to swivel fitting and start pump. As the reser-
voir is draining, remove the Drain/Overflow
Tubes from growing chambers sequentially
while the reservoir level drops. Don’t pull the
tubes too fast or your reservoir may overflow.
Once water level has dropped to level of
pump, shut pump off, and continue to drain by
opening drain valve. Never run the pump dry.
CLEANING THE FILTER
Unplug pump and remove filter. Clean by plac-
ing filter under warm water and removing all
organic debris.
HIGH LEVEL, LOW LEVEL
The growing chambers can be operated with a
high nutrient level which submerges the bot-
toms of the growing cups to moisten the
Hydroton for new transplants and plants with
under-developed root systems. As the plants
grow and develop strong roots, press the
Drain/Overflow Tubes to the bottom position in
the Growing Chambers to lower the nutrient
level. This will create an “air gap” below the
bottom of the growing cups. This process will
increase the total amount of oxygen in the
rooting zone and reduce the moisture in the
Hydroton. Keep the reduced water capacity in
mind when you mix nutrient.
CLEANING BETWEEN CROPS
Drain the whole system, brush out the
Growing Chambers and, if necessary, unclog
the spray holes in the beige Spray Lines
mounted inside the growing chambers.
Sponge off all parts to disinfect. You can use
General Hydroponic’s Flora Shield ™ or anoth-
er disinfectant. Rinse everything thoroughly.
Refill it with water and run it for a few hours,
then, drain again before introducing a new
crop. Clean filters frequently. Simply unplug
pump and remove reusable filter. Rinse filter
under hot water to clean.
Connect hose to Swivel Fitting to drain.
Remove Filter from Pump to clean.
Adjust nutrient level by raising or lowering
Drain/Overflow Tube.
3/03.t
AEROFLO
2
30 PARTS: