General Hydroponics PowerGrower 8-Pack - Manual (Page 6)

HELPFUL GUIDELINES HELPFUL GUIDELINES & TROUBLE SHOOTING
OPERATION
For moisture-loving plants, operate your PowerGrower 8-pack pump continuously.
Plants preferring drier conditions grow best when the pump runs for 1/2 hour on
and 1 hour off during daylight hours; off at night (a simple timer will turn the pump
on and off for you automatically). Use mild to normal strength nutrient solution and
avoid strong or aggressive nutrient. As your plants consume nutrient solution, the
level in the reservoir will drop. Top off with half strength solution or plain water
(the pump is more efficient when the reservoir is full). It is necessary to change the
water and nutrients every one to two weeks depending upon the size of your plants
and their rate of growth; with bigger plants change more often. Simply empty the
reservoir by rotating the blue drain/level tube 90 degrees so water drains on the
ground, or indoors in a pail. When changing or topping off solution, pour directly
over the Hydroton (rather than into the reservoir itself) to flush out excess salts.
PREPARATION FOR REPLANTING
After harvesting and before replanting your PowerGrower 8-pack, 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 PowerGrower.
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 air line 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 air line 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,
dis-assemble drip ring by pulling it apart at the tee, rinse drip ring and tee
in hot water and clear the holes with a toothpick.
PLACEMENT
Abundant light, proper temperature and
adequate ventilation are crucial for fast
growth, healthy plants and higher yields.
Place the PowerGrower 8-pack in a warm,
well-lit, well-ventilated location, such as an
outdoor garden, sunlit window, patio or
greenhouse. Keep your PowerGrower 8-
pack away from areas where the inevitable
dripping that occurs during filling, draining
and pH adjustment could cause water
damage.
PLANTING
To prepare a seedling or a plant for
transplanting, remove all soil and/or organic
material from around the roots. Plants
must be sturdy with established roots
before transplanting into the PowerGrower
circulating 8-pack. Choose seedlings because
it’s more difficult to successfully transplant
older plants. If your plant has been growing
in soil or peat moss, gently remove the plant
from its pot and carefully rinse as much soil as
possible from the roots before transplanting.
Although this method of transplanting from
soil to hydroponics is somewhat risky, (soil may
contain diseased organisms that proliferate
in the rich hydroponic solution), we have
been very successful in implementing, partic-
ularly with culinary herbs and encourage you
to try it. Or, you can avoid these problems by
starting plants from cuttings in one of our
RainForest Systems.
If you plan to grow several small
plants in the PowerGrower 8-pack,
place your plants just outside the
drip ring, near the drip holes. If you
prefer a single large plant, place it
in the center of the drip ring. Gently
add Hydroton around the plant
roots until thoroughly covered.
FILLING
When filling the system with a nutrient
solution it is best to mix the nutrients in a
known volume of fresh water and pour into
the controller until the system reaches the
desired level. The controller and 7 individual
growing units holds approximately 28
gallons. The controller and 8 individual
growing units holds approximately 30
gallons. The float valve can be adjusted by
bending the float valve arm so that the float
valve is all the way up in the off position.
Next, the reservoir can be placed on top
of the controller and can be filled with an
additional 15 gallons that will keep the
system full for one to two weeks with small
plants and may only last a few days to one
week with larger plants.
Reservoir
Controller
Bend here
to adjust