General Hydroponics AeroFlo2 36 User manual

AeroFlo236
P.O. Box 1576 • Sebastopol, CA 95473
Phone [phone] • Fax [phone]
www.generalhydroponics.com
Frequently Asked Questions.
1. How often do I add nutrient? What is “topping-off”?
Add nutrient every time you drain your system. “Topping-off” is a term that
describes adding water to the system. Remember, during hot spells plants transpire
excessive amounts of water leaving behind nutrient salts. These salts can cause
ppm levels to sky-rocket creating a toxic environment for your plants. Keep your
ppm at a lower level during these times of extreme transpiration.
2. How often should the water be changed?
That depends upon the growth (stage and rate) of your plants. When plants are
seedlings every three weeks should suffice. Once the plants start to approach
maturity it is best to change the nutrient mixture completely every two weeks, or
even more often for better results. Between nutrient changes it is important to “top-
up” the reservoir with fresh water. Add more nutrient only if the conductivity or ppm
drops. Generally the conductivity (nutrient strength) should be maintained between
800 to 1,200 ppm (parts per million).
3. Should I invest in a ppm or conductivity meter?
Yes, a conductivity meter is an essential tool for measuring nutrient strength. By
knowing the conductivity level for a specific variety of plant, the grower can adjust
nutrient strength to meet specific crop needs.
4. When should I adjust the overflow tubes up or down?
When plants are small and their roots are not well developed, the overflow tubes
should be at the maximum height to allow nutrient rich water to reach the bottoms
of the net cups. Once the roots have grown in length and are immersed within the
flowing stream of nutrient, the overflow tubes can be pushed down to increase
oxygen within the nutrient and growing chamber.
5. Can I turn off my system for any length of time?
Generally it’s best for the system to run 24 hours per day – always on. However,
many people do put their AeroFlo2systems on a timer to save electricity. The
AeroFlo stays on during the light cycle and turns off for the night cycle, except for
an hour of spray in the middle of the night cycle.
6. What is the optimal temperature range for the nutrient solution?
Optimal temperature is generally between 65º and 75º F.
7. At what pH level should my system be maintained and why?
pH levels should be between 5.5 and 6.5 because at this pH level, nutrients are
more readily available for the plant.
Ordering parts and supplies
To order Grow Cups, nutrients, Hydroton, or parts for your AeroFlo2system, see
your General Hydroponics retailer, or call General Hydroponics, Inc. for listings.
1-800-374-9376 Monday thru Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm, PST.
TM
10/30
For quite a while now, satisfied AeroFlo users
have requested a compact AeroFlo2model
designed expressly for indoor lighting. General
Hydroponics is pleased to offer the trim line Model 36
with a large 40 Gallon reservoir. The Model 36 is
designed to fit an indoor grow light.
©GENERAL HYDROPONICS 2003

AeroFlo2Model 36
Unpacking
See the above photograph to familiarize yourself with the parts.
Parts list:
Reservoir (40 gal), lid, small access lid
6 Growing chambers with Laser Spray Lines
6 Drain Level tubes
Chamber Manifold
Packet of Lubricating Grease
Pump Line
Drain Valve
Bluestone Pump with filter
General Hydroponics™ Flora™ 3-part nutrient
36 three inch Grow Cups
36 CocoTek™ Basket Liners
9 Liter Hydroton™ Growing Media
Growing Chambers
Chamber
Manifold
Reservoir (40 gal)
w/Small Access Lid
Page 2 Page 7
Pump
Line
Bluestone
Pump
3” Grow Cups
CocoTek
Liners
Cleaning between crops
Drain the whole system, brush out the growing chambers and, if necessary, unclog
the spray holes in the beige laser spray lines mounted inside the growing cham-
bers. Sponge off all parts with bleach to disinfect. Rinse everything thoroughly to
remove all traces of bleach. To be sure that the system is free of chlorine 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
filter under hot water to clean.
Hydroton
We have had many years of excellent results working with Hydroton clay pellets for
plant support. We recommend that you rinse new Hydroton thoroughly to remove
the fine sand which builds up from abrasion during shipping. Between crops it is
good to wash the Hydroton well, removing all organic debris. An effective method is
to boil used Hydroton in a large pot. This sterilizes and dissolves any accumulated
salts. Caution: Do Not rinse Hydroton with bleach (chlorine).
Nutrients
Nutrients are the lifeline to your plants. Since you are providing the plants with all
their nutritional needs we recommend you feed them the best. General
Hydroponics™ offers a wide variety of plant foods. We have had great success
using our Flora series 3 part system (FloraGro™, FloraBloom™ and FloraMicro™).
1Fill the reservoir with fresh water.
If you are in an area with poor- quality water (over 200 ppm Total Dissolved
Solids), we recommend that you use purified water (Reverse Osmosis and/or rain
water). General Hydroponics also has Hardwater FloraMicro™ nutrient formula
available. Hardwater FloraMicro™ should be used in place of regular FloraMicro
where hard water is a problem.
2Add nutrients as per instructions on label. Add FloraMicro first then add
FloraBloom, and FloraGro, stirring well each time. Never pre-mix nutrient concen-
trates. This may cause nutrient “lock-out”.
3Adjust the nutrient solution pH between 5.5 and 6.5 (see instructions with the
General Hydroponics pH Control Kit).
Notes
Nutrient mixes can be adjusted in both strength (conductivity) and “flavor” (ie: the
ratios of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfur &
Microelements). To adjust these factors mix different combinations of
FloraGro,FloraBloom and FloraMicro with water.
• To enhance vegetative growth, use more FloraGro and less FloraBloom.
• To enhance flower growth use less FloraGro and more FloraBloom.
• To enhance fruit production use equal amounts of FloraGro, FloraBloom
and FloraMicro.
• To provide more Calcium or Iron (for green, leafy vegetables), use slightly
more FloraMicro.
• Many growers follow the 3-2-1 mix: For vegetative growth: 3 parts FloraGro (ie,
teaspoons per gallon), 2 parts FloraMicro plus 1 part FloraBloom. For flowering:
1 part FloraGro plus 2 parts FloraMicro plus 3 parts FloraBloom. For fruiting: 2
parts FloraGro plus 2 parts FloraMicro plus 2 parts FloraBloom. These units are
ratios, not absolute quantities, and are only a suggested starting point. Use a
conductivity meter to determine total nutrient strength.
Growing Media
Hydroton
Growing
Chambers
w/Laser
Spray
Lines
Drain
Valve
Snapstand
Drain
Level
Tubes

Step 10
Rinse Hydroton to remove all
debris. Insert the CocoTek
Basket Liner and fill the
growing cups with Hydroton.
Insert them into the growing
chambers. Your AeroFlo2 36
is now assembled. The next
step will be to fill it with water
and add nutrient. You’re
ready to plant!
CAUTION: Never run the BlueStone Pump without water present in the reservoir.
Step 1
Place the reservoir where it
will be used, on a level
surface.
Page 6 Page 3
Step 2
Line the inside of
the Lower reservoir
Grommet with a
thin coating of sili-
con grease (option-
al). Insert Drain
Valve into grommet
using a twisting
motion.
Startup
Before filling your system with water it is essential that you understand the system
capacity.
Low stage Flooded stage
Each Chamber 0.6 gallons 2.4 gallons
Reservoir capacity is 40 gallons. This means that the total system capacity is
approximately 54 gallons in the flooded stage (overflow tubes set high), and
42 gallons in the low stage (overflow tubes pressed to the bottom). Fill the reservoir
with water. Turn on the pump. The pump will drive water into the growing chambers.
Note: It may be necessary to adjust the angle of the Laser Spraylines so that
they are spraying at a 45˚angle from the chamber bottom.
Draining the system
The reservoir should be drained first before draining the growing chambers. This
will prevent over filling of the reservoir and possible flooding.
A) Connect hose to Drain Valve.
B) Turn valve handle to open valve.
Caution: Never run the Pump with
out water present in the Reservoir. Step 3
Attach Pump Line
to Bluestone
Pump. Pay careful
attention that “O”
Ring is fully seated
against pump.
Pump Line
Drain Level Tube
CocoTek
Basket
Liner
Sprayline
HydroTon
Drain Valve
Lower
Reservoir
Grommet
“O”Ring

Step 4
Place pump at the bottom of the
reservoir. Lower lid so that the Pump
Outlet Manifold and power cord fit
through hold in reservoir lid as shown.
Page 4 Page 5
Step 5
Line the inside of the chamber grommet with a thin coating of silicon
grease (optional). Insert the Drain Level Tube half way into the grommet.
The overflow tubes are adjustable allowing for greater flexibility in water
height. Repeat this step for the other 5 chambers.
Step 6
Assemble Snapstand (see inclosed instructions). Arrange the Growing
Chambers on top of reservoir with the other end resting on the
Snapstand. Center the Growing Chambers Drain Fittings over the
Step 7
Screw the flexible Chamber
Manifold onto the Pump Line.
Drain/Overflow hole
Step 8
Attach Chamber
Manifold to Chamber
Spray Lines by tighten-
ing the thread connec-
tions. Start from one
end and work across.