Flex Connect Water Health & Flow Maintenance
Updated
To keep Flex Connect water healthy, check pH and nutrients at least twice a week, and refresh the water regularly.
Sharing water resources between several Flex Farms via the Flex Connect requires a delicate balance of water pressure.
In order to maintain water flow equilibrium, the Flex Connect pump should be programmed to run intermittently throughout a 24 hour time period.
- Using a plug in timer, program the pump to run for 15 minutes on the top of every hour for 24 hours. (i.e. Each hour on the dial has 4 levers. The lever closest to the top of the hour should be pushed down. The following three levers should stay in the upright position. Repeat this pattern for all 24 hours around the clock.)
- Ensure the timer is set to "Timer" and NOT set to "ON". This is displayed as a switch on the side of the timer.
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If the Flex Connect is not programmed to run on this programmed cycle, the water flow equilibrium will be disturbed. This can result in flooding outside of the equipment, loss of water, and loss of nutrients to your crops.
Maintaining Water Quality Targets for Plant Development
Maintaining the required pH and nutrients throughout the plant's growth cycle will ensure optimal yields and scheduled growth. We recommend checking setpoints and making adjustments in the Flex Connect at least twice a week. Once a day is best practice.
If you have two or more people monitoring the water quality, it is helpful to keep a Data Log near the Flex Connect. This way, all farmers know the last recorded water quality assessments.
For how to measure and adjust, see How to Check and Adjust Flex Farm Nutrients and pH. For crop-specific targets, see the Lettuce & Other Leafy Greens Grow Guide and the Herb Grow Guide.
Adjustment Charts (Note: download and create your cheat sheet based on your observations)
Performing regular water refreshes promotes plant health, and decreases scale and algae growth on the equipment over time. Follow the schedule and steps in How to Refresh the Water in Your Flex Farm. For where the water can go, see Where to Drain or Reuse Used Nutrient Water. For the Flex Connect:
- Drain the Flex Connect into a floor or sink drain. A wet vac will be necessary to remove 100% of the water.
- If plants are in the system they will be ok for a few hours without water.
- Refill by following Adding Water to your Flex Connect, then prime the pump with Priming your Flex Connect Pump.
Water Flow Maintenance
- Every 2 weeks, flush the Flex Farm lines. One Flex Farm at a time, clean out all the dripline holes with your provided bristle brush. Then, using a 5-gallon bucket, place it on the ground in front of a closed Flex Farm and open up each drip line ball valve at the front of the Flex Farm for 5 seconds. Repeat for every Flex Farm. Also, perform a quick visual check (especially on the topmost plants) to ensure every rockwool plug is a darker shade (fully saturated). If the tops of the Root Chambers are touching, realign them to a finger-width apart.
- Monthly: Use 3% hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle and spray and wipe down the Sprout Stand drain outlet and supply inlet. Before using hydrogen peroxide, read the manufacturer's Safety Data Sheet.
Notes:
- The nutrients help to slightly lower pH and increase Alkalinity, so make sure your water already has nutrients in it before adding pH Down.
- Wait at least a day to recheck levels, as it may take 24 hours for levels to equalize throughout the system.
- Add Nutrients & pH to a Flex Farm closest to the pump when adjusting levels in the Flex Connect