AeroFlo
20
Assembly Guide
®
AeroFlo 20 PARTS
12
17
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3
2
1
4
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15
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10 11 9
AeroFlo 20 PARTS:
assembled dimensions: 7’L X 1’6”W X 22”H
Chambers Box:
1: Growing Chambers (2 ea)
with Laser Spray Lines (2 ea)
2: Drain Level Tube (DLT)
3: DLT 4” Covers (2 ea)
8
7
Parts Box:
4: Manifold
5: DLT Lubricant
6: SnapStand Cross Fitting (2 ea)
7: SnapStand Base (2 ea)
8: SnapStand Leg (2 ea)
9: SnapStand Support Tube
10: Reservoir (8 gal)
11: Reservoir Lid
12: Flexible Pump line
13: Mag Drive Pump
14: FloraSeries Nutrients
15: Drain Valve
16: Net Pots and
CocoTek Liners (20 ea)
17: Clay Pebbles (10 Liter)
STEP 1
Insert the Drain Valve into the Reservoir grommet
while supporting the grommet from the inside.
Attach the Reservoir Lid as pictured and remove the
tear away strip.
pull tab
drain valve
STEP 2
Connect the Pump
line to the Mag Drive
Pump outlet (hand
tightening should be
sufficient). Place the
pump assembly into
the Reservoir and
feed the power cord
thru the center access
hole in the Reservoir
Lid followed by the
Pump line.
ASSEMBLY
STEP 3
Assemble the SnapStand support stand by
sliding the SnapStand Legs into the SnapStand
Bases and the SnapStand Cross Fittings. Snap
the SnapStand Support Tube into SnapStand
Cross Fittings. Place the Growing Chambers on
the SnapStand support stand and reservoir so
that the drains are aligned with the outer holes
in the Reservoir Lid. Remove the Laser Spray
Lines and DLT from the Growing Chambers
and install the Laser Spray Lines by following
the directions provided with the Laser Spray
Lines.
ASSEMBLY
STEP 4
Lubricate the end of the DLT
with the Lubricant provided
and insert into the Growing
Chamber drain hole and align
with the hole in the Reservoir
Lid for each Growing Chamber.
Adjust the water level in the
Growing Chamber by raising
or lowering the DLT
STEP 5
Attach the Flexible Pump Line
with the swivel hose fitting to
the Manifold and then attach
the Manifold to each of the
Laser Spray Lines. Make sure
there is a rubber gasket in
the Laser Spray Line fitting
and DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN.
Cover the inspection holes
with the DLT 4” Covers.
ASSEMBLY
STEP 6
Place the Net Pots with the CocoTek Liners into the growing sites and use the Clay
Pebbles to support seedling plants. Always rinse the Clay Pebbles before use and see
the Helpful Guidelines for planting and cleaning the system.
* pictured above with AF30
HELPFUL GUIDELINES
FILLING
Before filling your system with water it is essential that you understand the system
capacity. The reservoir should be drained first before draining the growing chambers.
This will prevent overfilling of the reservoir and possible flooding. Fill the reservoir with
a known volume of water and then start the pump. Adjust the Drain Level Tubes (DLT)
to the desired level and start adding water in 1 gallon increments until the Growing
Chambers and reservoir are at the desired levels. Record the total gallons to be used
for calculating the amount of nutrient to add to the system. See chart for approximate
amount of water the system holds at the two operating levels.
CAUTION: Never run the water pump without water covering the pump inlet.
Reservoir
capacity
Each Chamber Total Water*
low level high level low level high level
gallons
8.0 1.0 4.0 10 16
* Total amount of water in all chambers and reservoir
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.
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 transplanting method from soil to hydroponics could pose potential risks (soils may
contain disease organisms that proliferate in the rich hydroponics solution) we have in
fact been successful with this method, particularly with culinary herbs and encourage
you to try. You can avoid these problems by starting plants from cuttings in one of our
RainForest™ Systems or RapidRooters™.
ASSEMBLY
HELPFUL GUIDELINES
PLACEMENT
Abundant light, proper temperature and adequate ventilation are crucial for fast
growth, healthy plants and higher yields. Place the AeroFlo2 system in a warm, well-lit,
well-ventilated location, such as an outdoor garden, sunlit window, patio or greenhouse.
Keep your AeroFlo2 away from areas where the inevitable dripping that occurs during
filling, draining and pH adjustment could cause water damage.
NUTRIENTS
Start by choosing either the most widely recognized, reliable nutrient in the industry, Flora
Series® or step into the technological breakthrough of FloraNova® for the accelerated
performance of mineral nutrients enriched with the healthy, flavorful characteristics
of organics. Please refer to our Feeding Schedule that is provided with the system for
nutrient recommendations.
• Keep the nutrient solution temperature
below 75° F (24° C).
• Change nutrient solution every 7-10 days.
• Top off with fresh water between
nutrient changes.
• Keep nutrient solution aerated for best results.
• If your water is above 200 ppm total or 70 ppm
calcium, use Hardwater FloraMicro instead
of FloraMicro.
The pH (acidity or alkalinity) of a nutrient solution affects the availability of the elements
contained within. Use GH pH adjusters to maintain nutrient pH between 5.5 - 6.5.
OPERATION
When plants are small and their roots are not well developed, the Drain Level Tubes (DLT)
should be at the maximum height to allow nutrient rich water to reach the bottoms of
the net cups. Once the roots have grown and are immersed within the flowing stream
of nutrient, the DLT’s can be pushed down to increase oxygen within the nutrient and
growing chamber. The water level in the Growing Chambers should be maintained at
a 1” to 2” depth in case the power or the pump fails. Generally it’s best for the system
to always run. However, many people do put their AeroFlo2 systems on a timer to save
electricity. The AeroFlo2 stays on during the light cycle and only runs for 10 to 15 minutes
every 1 to 2 hours for the night cycle. Cycling the pump keeps the water from stagnating
and the roots from drying out and dying.
PREPARATION FOR REPLANTING
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 FloraShield™ to clean the
system and clay pebbles or a 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 pump
filter under hot water to clean. CAUTION: Do not rinse filter with a strong Bleach
(chlorine) solution, it may react with the filter and form an oily residue.
TROUBLE SHOOTING
TROUBLE SHOOTING
If white salt deposits form on the Clay Pebbles:
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 AeroFlo2.
If nutrient solution stops flowing from the beige spray lines:
1. Check to ensure that pump is plugged in and the reservoir is filled
with nutrient solution.
2. Check whether emitter holes in the beige spraylines are clogged. Keep pump
filter clean and use General Hydroponic’s FloraKleen™ to minimize nutrient
buildup and crusting.
FLORAKLEEN
• Dissolves accumulated fertilizer salts.
• Reduces plant stress from excess and imbalanced nutrients.
• Releases nutrient bonds between plants and systems, also
correcting nutrient lock-out.
• Use FloraKleen as a final flush a few days before harvest to
promote maturation and sugaring.
• Safe for all systems and media while plants are growing.
FloraKleen removes fertilizer residue that can accumulate over
time in hydroponic systems, growing media, and potting soils.
Use FloraKleen monthly to purge your hydroponic system or
potted plants of excess salts that can accumulate as a result of
regular fertilizer application. FloraKleen can be used at anytime
throughout the plant’s life and is an excellent final flush to
help improve flavor. Its high concentration and low price make
FloraKleen the economical choice for maintaining your plants in
both hydroponic and soil based environments.
FLORASHIELD
Maintain healthy roots without resorting to harsh toxic
chemicals. FloraShield’s unique combination of compounds
can thoroughly rinse systems and plants during all phases
of growth. Growers across the globe have attested to
FloraShield’s ability to solve root problems.
Not to be used with SubCulture
®
®
waterPOWER
The WaterPOWER magnetic drive pumps offered
exclusively by General Hydroponics can be
used in line or completely submersible. Used in
our popular AeroFlo 18, 30 and 36 units, the
WaterPOWER pumps come with 1” fittings and an
extra sponge filter and impeller.
®
85 & 120
RAPIDROOTER
Rapid Rooter’s breakthrough technology produces a unique matrix of composted
organic materials bonded together with plant-derived polymers. Rapid Rooter plugs
are manufactured using a scientifically controlled process that yields large populations of beneficial microbes in the media. These naturally-occurring microbes colonize
young roots, helping plants resist disease while maximizing nutrient uptake. Rapid
Rooter plugs are fortified with General Hydroponic micronutrients for abundant root
growth. The optimal air-to-water ratio within the plug matrix results in early root
growth. Use Rapid Rooter for robust early rooting that supports explosive
plant growth.
Rapid Rooter plugs are available in
the following sizes:
• 50 plug tray
• 50 plug bag
• 98 cell mat
®
RAINFOREST
The Rainforest is the perfect system for
propagation or growing plants to full
maturity. Our patented Vortex Sprayer
provides a super-oxygenated mist for
rapidly developing plants. With a compact
design and small footprint, the Rainforest is
available with 2”, 3”, and 6”, site lid inserts
to suit specific growing needs.
®
707-824-9376 Monday through Friday 9am to 4pm PST
©2014 GH Inc.
p121714am
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