FarmTek Growers Supply HydroCycle Vertical NFT Lettuce & Herb Systems, Manual

Page 1: ...sions have been rounded and are approximate Dimensions are of the frame only they do not include adjustable feet or pvc plumbing and fixtures HydroCycle 9 Pro Vertical Microgreen System 10 2018 Growers Supply All Rights Reserved Reproduction is prohibited without permission ...

Page 2: ...and fittings promptly Repair all leaks immediately If system is moved inspect all parts and connections before reassembling and use For replacement or missing parts call 1 800 245 9881 for assistance SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Wear eye protection Wear gloves when handling metal pipes Use a portable GFCI Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter when working with power tools and cords UNPACK AND IDENTIFY PARTS The ...

Page 3: ...509 CA4000 Instant Adhesive 110829 Drill Tap Combo Pak 112538 1 Hanger 112539 2 Hanger AC2804 111047 111074 110725 Air Pump 113536 Pump 110091 Clear Vinyl Tubing WR1095 Tape 112838 Tek Screws FALB34B 112772 112770 100442 113030S01 112477 FAME51B FAG338B 110077 WF4790 1 Key Punch 115 Gallon Reservoir Porthole Cover Reservoir Cover ATTENTION A timer is required to cycle the water pump on and off If ...

Page 4: ...1030 111698 Ratchet Clamp WF6692 WF1386 WF8582 111030 End Cap No Outlet 111029 End Cap w Outlet WF6990 PVC Cement and 113372 Purple Primer PVC PRIMER PVC CEMENT Follow all directions printed on pvc primer and cement containers Purple color of primer does not fade Use caution during application to reduce spills and over application at joints Prime all joints before assembly ...

Page 5: ...ide tubes and connect these to the corner tubes using the 112772 flat head bolts to assemble the first side frame 4 With assistance set the assembly aside and repeat the steps to assemble the remaining side frame 5 Once both identical side frames are assembled position these opposite each other See diagram below 6 Continue by installing the adjustable feet Procedure 2 Top view showing two assemble...

Page 6: ...l screws through leg tube and wall of the 112477 insert Install screws to the left or right of the centerline of the leg tube to prevent hitting the threaded shaft of the adjustable foot 4 Adjust the 113030S01 foot so that it is seated against the threaded plate of the insert and nut See diagram 5 Continue with the main frame assembly Procedure 3 Complete these steps 1 Add one FALB34B nut to the t...

Page 7: ...h assistance stand the two side frames as shown Fig 1 2 Select four 4 of the remaining frame tubes FD15CMGL04800S1 and place two of these at each end of the side frames FAME51B FAG338B FIG 1 3 Using the FAG338B 5 16 x 3 hex head bolts and FAME51B flat washers attach cross braces between side frame tubes Fig 2 at each end FIG 2 48 Cross Brace FD15CMGL04800S1 48 Cross Brace FD15CMGL04800S1 FAG338B F...

Page 8: ... braces between the side tubes at each level using the hex head bolts and flat washers 5 Complete the frame assembly by installing the 112770 finishing plugs Check all fasteners to ensure they are all tight 6 Continue with the next procedure FAME51B FAG338B 112770 FAG338B FAME51B 112770 1 Assemble Frame ...

Page 9: ...nly mark the remaining two hole positions 4 Using a drill and a 9 32 bit carefully drill holes in the top lip of the 111030 end cap 5 Remove the loose end cap material from the drilled holes 6 Repeat the steps to drill all remaining 111030 end caps Do not drill the 111029 end caps ASSEMBLE THE CHANNELS ATTENTION Complete this procedure for the 111030 plain end caps only Do not drill holes in the 1...

Page 10: ...u install the end cap See photos C D Also apply adhesive to the connection on the inside of the channel See photo E Repeat for all channels 4 Carefully flip all channels over so the bottom is facing up Apply adhesive along the edges to secure and seal end caps to each channel Photo F shows an end cap with an outlet as an example NOTE Coat all edges and seams of the end caps to prevent leaks 5 Allo...

Page 11: ...2539 hangers here Channel Support Tube Horizontal Frame Brace Horizontal Frame Brace Channel Support Tube Channel Support Tube Channel Support Tube End View of Main Frame A B Low End of Drain Manifold 1 4 to 3 8 down from top of tube Install hanger flush to inside of vertical tube B Vertical Tube Install hanger flush to inside of vertical tube Install hanger flush to top of support tube High End o...

Page 12: ...he printing on the pvc is centered on top Printing is used to maintain alignment when drilling holes Mark the inside edge of each hanger on the pvc pipe as shown Marks are used to realign pipe with the hangers after drilling 3 At one end of the pipe measure 6 in from the hanger and mark This is the position of the first drain hole 4 From the mark in Step 3 measure and mark the on center locations ...

Page 13: ...driver to release the hanger jaws Hangers will release easily Be careful not to damage the locking teeth of the hanger jaws 4 Assemble and Attach 2 PVC Drain Manifold Center Line Photo shows using a step bit to drill holes in the pvc pipe Photo shows using a hole saw bit to drill holes in pvc pipe 6 After drilling the pipe remove all pvc debris and clean inside the tube If pipe was drilled on the ...

Page 14: ...e in Step 2 with the installed hangers See left diagram below 9 Assemble the remainder of the main drain manifold as shown in the right diagram below Dry fit all components before you permanently secure using pvc primer and WF6990 pvc cement Apply according to instructions on containers ATTENTION Do not cement WF6717 slip caps to horizontal tubes These caps are removed to periodically clean drain ...

Page 15: ...gn and position Drill one 2 1 2 drain hole in corner STEP 2 Drill holes for air pump tubes using a 5 16 drill bit Drill cover off reservoir Photo show drain hole in reservoir lid Move cover off reservoir Place on support to drill the 2 1 2 drain hole Photo shows sample reservoir with drain hole in lid Actual lid and reservoir may differ x Actual lid and reservoir may differ slightly from what is s...

Page 16: ...t surface of the reservoir Dashed line outlines area for bulkhead fitting 4 Attach the WF2392 bushing 111302 extension and 111303 screen to the threaded body of the bulkhead fitting Hand tighten until snug 5 Attach the bulkhead assembly to the reservoir Hex nut and thin flat washer are outside the reservoir Tighten until snug using large adjustable pliers 6 Continue with the next procedure WF2392 ...

Page 17: ...nd when fittings are installed One 1 Upper Supply Manifold Elbow at each end Three 3 Lower Supply Manifolds Tee at one end elbow at the other WF1380 WF1380 WF1380 WF4135 1 PVC PIPE WF4135 1 PVC PIPE WF4135 1 PVC PIPE WF4135 1 PVC PIPE WF1570 WF6692 WF6692 WF6692 WF6692 Upper Supply Manifold Lower Supply Manifold Lower Supply Manifold Lower Supply Manifold 2 Snap the upper manifold into place on th...

Page 18: ...s in the center of the manifold pipe Space holes 3 apart 6 After holes are marked mark each fitting to more easily reassemble the manifolds after drilling the holes and cleaning the pipe 7 Once the manifolds are marked carefully remove each manifold from the frame Use a small screwdriver to carefully release the jaws of the pipe hangers If desired mark the frame level 1 2 or 3 on each of the lower...

Page 19: ...tap into the hole Do not allow it to bottom out in the pvc tube After tapping the hole reverse the drill and back the tap out Keep the drill steady and straight during this process ATTENTION Use a reversible variable speed drill for this step If one is not available use a socket to hold the tap and turn it with a ratchet Center tap in the hole and turn it slowly to tap threads Do not allow tap to ...

Page 20: ... the manifold pipes Do not overtighten Adapters will snap off Once slight resistance is felt during installation stop tightening the adapter 14 Apply pvc primer and cement to each end of one manifold pipe and fittings Reassemble manifold using fittings for that pipe Use the marks to position the fittings as they were before manifold was disassembled Set the assembly aside and repeat the step to re...

Page 21: ...ining valve assemblies Valves will all be at the same end when manifolds are attached to the frame AC2804 111074 113535 111698 Clamps 18 Snap the upper manifold and first lower manifold assemblies into place Measure the length needed for the first vertical pvc pipe and cut a piece of 1 pvc pipe to that length Remember to allow enough length for the pipe to connect the two supply manifolds Do not c...

Page 22: ...nifold as needed 20 Continue working down the end frame and adding the 1 vertical manifold pipes Dry fit all pipes before applying the pvc primer and cement 21 Reinstall frame cross brace if needed 22 Continue with the next procedure Step 19 Step 20 Step 20 Step 21 Reinstall cross brace ASSEMBLE AND INSTALL NUTRIENT SUPPLY MANIFOLDS CONTINUED PVC Primer and Cement PVC Primer and Cement PVC Primer ...

Page 23: ...ccess to operate valve once installed 2 Cut tube from Step 1 into two pieces length may differ depending on valve position and add 111047 micro valve Check the fit on the system by holding the tube next to where it will be installed 3 Adjust tube length and valve position as needed and create the remaining tube and valve assemblies by using the first one as the template 4 Install each tube by slid...

Page 24: ...el the frame side to side after setting end to end slope 5 Recheck the frame slope Verify that ends are level Tighten the lock nuts to secure feet 8 LEVEL FRAME AND SET SLOPE Level Frame and Set Slope To ensure that water flows through and properly drains from the plant channels a 1 2 slope toward the drain end of the system is required Frame must also be level from side to side when viewed from t...

Page 25: ...s that follow before you begin For best results complete this procedure after setting frame slope WARNING All electrical wiring to be completed by a qualified electrician according to recognized local building codes WF1570 Fr om Pu m p WF1570 WF2190 111045 WF2190 WF3420 WF6682 WF1030 WF3420 1 PVC 1 PVC WF1380 tee fitting at the end of the pvc manifold Water Flow A See A in diagram below WF1570 wat...

Page 26: ...cement to drain tubes and fittings See below ATTENTION Do not cement the extension tube that extends through the lid from the WF1576 elbow Extension tube must remain free to remove for routine tank maintenance 3 Allow the cement to set and continue with following procedure Assemble and Attach 2 PVC Drain Manifold WF1576 Minimum 6 tube Tube should extend through lid at least 2 but remain above solu...

Page 27: ... for stone position opposite the water pump 3 Place the reservoir cover on the reservoir and feed the tubing up through the access holes and connect the free end of each tube to the air pump ATTENTION Always position the air pump above the nutrient level to prevent siphoning of the reservoir ATTACH THE AIR PUMP AND AERATOR STONES Attach 110091 tube to air stone 110077 Air Stone 4 Place the air pum...

Page 28: ...gs for leaks 12 Look for bubbles in the reservoir to verify that the air is pumping to each air stone Remember to always mount the air pump on a surface that is above the water level Vibrations of the pump can cause it to move Make sure the pump does not fall into the reservoir or other liquids 13 Once the system is checked and all adjustments made it is ready for use WARNING KEEP ALL ELECTRICAL C...

Page 29: ...nspect the inside of the tube Clean the drain tube by pulling or pushing a brush or cloth through the it Rinse with clean water NOTE Do not allow debris from the drain tube to contaminate the contents of the reservoir Remove extension tube before cleaning 6 With the pump off disassemble the filter and clean the screen and housing Reassemble for use See procedure in the right column For best result...

Page 30: ...a garden hose to the shutoff valve of the filter Place the end of the hose in a bucket or run it to the desired location 2 Open the shutoff valve on the filter and turn the pump on to pump out the reservoir Turn off the pump once the reservoir is empty 3 Clean reservoir Repeat steps to pump it out if needed 4 Close the shutoff valve 5 Remove the hose and clean the filter See previous page for filt...

Page 31: ...sentative to purchase the 112531 timer Timer not included Additional purchase required When set properly the timer will allow pump to run long enough to ensure plants and growing media receive adequate nutrient solution each level Do not over water or allow growing media seeds or plants to dry out Adjust water flow as needed to prevent washing seeds out of NFT channels and into reservoir 112531 Ti...

Page 32: ... 18 Height approximately 80 no feet Width Approximately 51 frame only End View Frame Length Approximately 118 frame only Side View Frame Approximately 24 actual distance depends on adjustable feet settings 16 16 16 Frame Dimensions ...

Page 33: ...Tube FD15LMGL11500S2 80 Corner Tube FD15VMGL08000S4 112772 5 16 x 3 Flat Head Bolt FAME51B FAG338B Use this hex bolt and washer combination for all cross brace connections Use this flat head bolt for all vertical corner tube connections ATTENTION The vertical tubes include holes of two different diameters Install the larger hole to the outside to allow the flat head bolt to sit flush with the tube...

Page 34: ...34 115277 Revision date 09 25 18 Supply Drain Manifolds Only Drain Supply ...

Page 35: ...nd View 1 Supply Manifold with Channels 112538 WF1380 3 WF4135 1 PVC PIPE WF4135 1 PVC PIPE WF1570 1 111698 1 111698 1 113535 1 WF6692 1 AC2804 1 111047 Micro Valve 111046A Tubing 111046A 109242 Adapter 1 PVC Manifold Reservoir with Lid ...

Page 36: ...w 2 Drain Manifold with Channels WF1576 WF1576 WF1386 WF6717 4 Assembled 9 Channel 112539 8 WF1576 111560 2 PVC PIPE 111560 2 PVC PIPE Reservoir with Lid Minimum 6 tube Tube should extend through lid at least 2 but remain above solution level ...

Page 37: ...37 Revision date 09 25 18 115277 Side View with Channels 113537 WF3316 WF3420 111045 111045 WF1380 WF1030 113536 WF2190 Bulkhead Fitting WF2193 Adapter ...

Page 38: ...own in the open position during system operation Never close valves when system is in use Actual tank and pump may differ from example shown ATTENTION Actual tank may differ from example shown Pipe length and position of components depends on assembly Completed assembly of actual system may differ from the example shown in photos throughout this guide ATTENTION Pump shown may differ from actual pu...

Page 39: ...39 Revision date 09 25 18 115277 PAGE RESERVED FOR CUSTOMER NOTES AND RECORDS ...