General Hydroponics New RainForest 36 - Manual (Page 7)

HELPFUL GUIDELINES & TROUBLE SHOOTING
OPERATION
Place the RainForest 36 in a warm, well-lit location. The optimum temperature for
starting cuttings is 20°-25° C (70°-75° F). Keep the plants in bright, indirect sunlight
or use color-corrected, or sunlight-simulating, lamps placed close to the cuttings
(fluorescent lamps are best, if you are using “metal-halide or high-pressure sodium,
place them well above the cuttings so they do not burn).
If using artificial lights, set the light timer to simulate a normal day/night cycle. If
using a motor timer, connect and set the timer. Plug in the sprayer motor. When
starting cuttings, the RainForest 36 should be ON 24 hours/day. Once roots extend
into the nutrient solution, you can use a timer to run the RainForest 36 intermit-
tently. Set the timer to run the motor through the day and off at night (it should be
turned ON for about 1 hour midway through the night).
PREPARATION FOR REPLANTING
After harvesting and before replanting your RainForest 36, dismantle the system
and clean all parts with hot water. Rinse Hydroton in very hot water and soak
overnight. It is a good idea to dis-assemble and wash the drip ring assembly and
pumping tube from time to time in hot water.
TROUBLE SHOOTING
If white salt deposits form on the Hydroton:
1. Try using a milder nutrient solution and topping off with plain water only.
2. Occasionally drain your system, refill with plain water and run the pump
overnight. After the overnight rinse, empty reservoir and refill with
fresh nutrient.
If Plants are not growing well and you suspect “hard” water:
1. Use FloraMicro Hardwater in place of FloraMicro.
2. Try distilled or purified water. You should see a significant improvement
in plant health and growth within one week.
3. Collect rainwater for use in your RainForest 36.
If nutrient solution stops flowing from the drip ring:
1. Check to ensure that pump is plugged in and reservoir is filled with
nutrient solution.
2. Disconnect airline from the air inlet and check whether the air is coming
through (put end under water and look for bubbles if you are not sure).
No air flow could mean that the pump is broken and must be replaced or
that the airline is loose or blocked. Try cutting an inch off each end of the
line to provide a tighter fit.
3. Blow into the air inlet to check whether it is clogged, and rinse the pumping
column in hot water. This type of clogging is usually an indication that you
have hard water or too strong a nutrient solution.
4. Check whether emitter holes in the drip ring are clogged. To clear,
disassemble drip ring by pulling it apart at the tee, rinse drip ring and tee
in hot water and clear the holes with a toothpick.