TEST THE WATER FLOW:
The Mini-Farm Grow Box is a self-watering system. You never need to add water or nutrients to the grow
bin itself. Instead, you add water and nutrients to the water reservoir (the 3.5 gallon pail). If you wish, you
can use a larger pail or other container to create a larger water reservoir. One reservoir can feed water and
nutrients to 10+ grow bins! Before planting seeds, it is important to test the gravity flow of automatic
watering function of the grow box:
1) Confirm that you have the float valve installed with the correct orientation inside the grow bin. The float should
actuate vertically (up and down) when you gently lift it with your hand. This simulates the rising of the float as the
water level rises in the grow box.
2) Confirm you have the 1/4" drip line connected securely to the float valve nozzle, with the other end securely
inside the water reservoir (white pail).
3) Normally you will want to position the water reservoir a few inches higher than the level of the float valve of your
grow box. This allows the water to gravity flow down to the level of the float valve. To accomplish this, you may
place a 4" brick or a similar-sized object underneath the water reservoir (white pail).
4) Fill the white pail completely with water. You should now observe a slow trickle of water entering the grow box
through the tiny hole in the center of the float valve. This is the desired flow you want to see.
5) Check for leaks on both ends of the 1/4" drip line. You may see small, slow drips if either end is not securely
attached. If you notice small leaks, secure the drip line more securely. If you notice a leak on the 3D printed Float
Valve Receiver nozzle, check the nozzle for uniformity. Some nozzles print with "hanging filament" that must be
removed with a fingernail clipper or other small tool. (3D printing is not yet an exact science. Some parts still have
small artifacts of the melted filament printing process.)
TIP: You may also use the "compression fitting" to further secure the 1/4" drip line onto the external nozzle of the
Float Valve Receiver. Simply disconnect the 1/4" drip line from the nozzle, slide the compression fitting over the drip
line, reattach the drip line to the nozzle, then slide the compression fitting over the drip line where it attaches to the
nozzle. It should be a very snug fit and may be slightly difficult to push on.
5
