Hydrofarm COSYS User manual

COSYS
COSYS20
Congratulations on the purchase of our carbon dioxide (CO
2
) system. Its
unique design and top quality components make it the best CO
2
enrich-
ment system available to the home gardener. Check all your parts carefully
against the diagram and components listed below.
PLEASE READ ALL DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY
BEFORE SETTING UP YOUR SYSTEM.
Our CO
2
systems are guaranteed to the original owner for 3 years from the date of purchase. Misuse, abuse, or failure to follow
instructions are not covered. If you have a problem, recheck your system and timer to isolate the problem. If this doesnʼt rem-
edy the situation, call the place of purchase to get a Return Authorization for the faulty part. Send only that part. Unauthorized
returns will not be accepted. Save your receip
t/
invoice — a copy is required for all warranty work.
THE HYDROFARM GUARANTEE
CO
2
Instructions
SETTING UP YOUR SYSTEM
1.
IMPORTANT!
Before attaching the regulator to the
CO2 tank, slowly open the tank valve wide open for 3-5
seconds to blow out any sediment that may be in the tank
valve. Reclose the valve tightly.
Whenever you are open-
ing the tank valve, do it extremely slowly to avoid damag-
ing the inner seals in the regulator.
2. Make sure the washer is seated evenly in the regulator
valve. Then attach regulator assembly to tank.
DO NOT OPEN THE TANK VALVE YET.
3. Insert the shorter extension tube into the plastic fitting on
the back of the flowmeter.
4. Take the other end of the extension tube and insert it onto
the “T” fitting as shown.
DISTRIBUTION RING
The distribution ring is designed to be suspended above the
plants in a circular pattern.
1. First screw the eyelets in according to the diagram.
2. Then thread the tubing through them in a circular pattern
over your growing area.
3. Connect the return end to the other side of the “T” fitting.
CO2 is heavier than air and will spread downward from the distri-
bution points.
Make sure the distribution tubing is secured and
does not interfere with your lighting or light movement systems.
ADJUSTING THE REGULATOR
Once the system is securely attached and set up, your regulator
can be adjusted.
1. Plug your solenoid cord into the timer and rotate the dial
until the tabs are in an “ON” position.
2.
Very, very slowly
open the tank valve until it is fully open.
3. Now, using a screwdriver and a crescent wrench adjust the
PSI gauge so it reads 30 PSI.
4. Tighten the locknut.
5. Unplug the solenoid valve.
High quality regulator
TANK NOT INCLUDED
Precision
flowmeter
Solenoid
Timer included
Distribution tubing included

This means that every hour an 800 cubic foot room needs
1/3
(.333)
cubic foot of CO
2
to replenish it back up to 1500 PPM. Because our
system operates on a 15 minute
O
FF
/ 15 minute
ON
cycle, the flow
rate setting should allow 0.1665 (or 0.2) cubic foot of CO
2
to be emitted
within each 15 minute
ON
cycle.
To arrive at the appropriate flow rate setting we need to divide .333
by
2 (there are two 15 minute ON periods per hour) to reach the flow
rate per hour (.333
÷
2
= 0.1665 cubic feet per 15 minutes of flow).
For practical purposes, round this up to 0.2 cubic feet. This is the
flowmeter setting.
After following the regulator adjustment steps, set the flow with the
flowmeter adjusting knob as described above.
SYSTEM CHECK
Once the flow rate and programmable timer have been set, the system
should be tested by plugging it in and slowly rotating the timer dial
clockwise to check the on/off of the solenoid valve and the flow of CO
2
by checking the flowmeter setting.
PROGRAMMABLE TIMER SETTING
Set your timer to go on continuously for 2.5 hours each day when your
lights turn on. This time period will bring your room level close to the
desired range. After this period, set the timer to go off for 15 minutes,
then on for 15 minutes. Repeat this on/off cycle throughout the lighted
period until 1 hour before the lights turn off.
DETERMINING A FLOW RATE
This is the basic formula for determining flowmeter settings:
cubic ft. of growing area x .0012 = A
A ÷ 3 = B B
cubic ft. of growing area x .0012 = A A ÷ 3 = B B cubic ft. of growing area x .0012 = A
÷
2
= flowmeter setting
To determine the flow rate for your growing area, follow the steps
outlined below.
Step 1
- Determine the cubic volume of your area:
Room height x width x length = cubic volume
Example: 8' high x 10' long x 10' wide = 800 cubic feet
Step 2
- Take desired level of CO
2
(1500 PPM) and SUBTRACT exist-
ing
CO
2
; 1500PPM - 300PPM = 1200 PPM. This is the amount of
CO
2
you need to add to raise the level to optimum.
Step 3
- Multiply your room volume x .0012 (1200 PPM) to determine
how much CO
2
to add to your area.
Example: 800 cubic feet x .0012 = .96 cubic feet.
For practical purposes we will round this off to 1 cubic foot. This is
the quantity of CO
2
to add in an 800 cubic foot size room to reach the
desired 1500 PPM level.
Before continuing on to the next steps the following assumptions need
to be established:
FIRST ASSSUMPTION:
The average growing area enriched to
1500 PPM of CO
2
will return to normal levels in about 3 hours
due to plant usage and room leakage.
SECOND ASSSUMPTION:
When calculating the flow rate for any
growing area, this usage and leakage of CO
2
should be compen-
sated for in that particular area.
Step 4
- Now for the 800 cubic foot room, we take the approximately 1
cubic foot of CO
2
and divide it up over the 3 hour average period into
1 hour increments. There are 3 one hour periods in 3 hours.
1 cubic foot ÷ 3 = 1/3 cubic foot of CO
2
(.333)
© HYDROFARM 2005 PETALUMA CA www.hydrofarm.com
TROUBLESHOOTING
1. In case of any problems, carefully reread all the instructions to
make sure everything is set up properly.
2. Test the regulator assembly with some soapy water if you suspect
any leakage.
3. Check all your connections up to the flowmeter.
4.
ALWAYS TURN OFF THE TANK VALVE BEFORE DETACH-
ING ANY PARTS.
Check the solenoid valv
e
ʼ
s function by plug-
ging and unplugging it directly to an outlet.
5. Any fitting leakage can be remedied by re-attaching firmly with
some teflon tape which is available from your local hardware store.
6. Plug the system back into the timer and slowly rotate the dial
clockwise to check its on/off functions.
7. If these steps donʼt solve your problem, contact the place of pur-
chase to work out the problem and get a return authorization if
necessary.
rev 2/05
© HYDROFARM 2005 PETALUMA CA www.hydrofarm.com
rev 2/05
© HYDROFARM 2005 PETALUMA CA www.hydrofarm.com
Constant Flow System
One of the unique features of our system is its ability to raise the CO
2
up to the appropriate level
each day when your lights come on and then maintain it.CO
2
is an essential ingredient for photo-
synthesis which is the main provider of energy for plant growth. Without enough carbon dioxide, plant
growth will slow down or can actually stop. A lack of
CO
2
can occur very easily in an enclosed growing
area unless you can add a supplemental source of
CO
2
gas.
CO
2
is an odorless, invisible, and non-flammable gas. It is also safe for humans in the maximum
concentrations recommended for plant growth.
The average level of CO
2
in the atmosphere is about 300 PPM (parts per million). If the level
decreases down below 200 PPM in an enclosed growing area, plant growth slows to a halt. Through
the years of testing and research, the optimum enrichment level of CO
2
for plant growth has been
agreed to be about 1500 PPM. This is assuming, of course, that there is plenty of bright light and a
good growing system. With CO
2
enrichment, under good conditions, plant growth rates and flower-
ing will increase 20-100%. CO
2
should be used from seedling right through harvest.
The easiest way to raise the CO
2
level is by the compressed CO
2
gas method with a tank. They
come in 20 lb. and 50 lb. sizes and are available for rent at your local beverage supply, welding, or
gas products company. Your local beverage supply is used to renting CO
2
tanks to small snack bar
operators and usually charges less. Look in your local yellow pages for a supplier.
HELPFUL INFORMATION:
CO
2
Tank Quantities - A 50 lb. tank holds approximately 440 cubic feet of CO
2
. If you multiply your
flow rate per hour times the number of hours of "on" time, you will find out how long a tank will
last.
last.
last.
last.
Wasted CO
2
Optimum CO
2
Time
Optimum CO
2
Time
HYDROFARM
®
Constant/Intermittent System