The Flex Farm technology combines hydroponic irrigation methods to create a rootzone optimized for nutrient uptake. From time to time, something may obstruct the flow of water in your Flex Farm. This article covers how to identify, address, and ensure proper water flow in your Flex Farm for years to come!
How to identify poor water flow in your Flex Farm?
If the rockwool plugs look dry (lighter colored) and/or the plants are wilting.
What is causing poor water flow to the plants in my Flex Farm?
Water is not flowing properly through the Flex Farm or the rockwool plugs are not flush with the planting spaces.
How to help prevent poor water flow in my Flex Farm in the future?
Watch the Flex Farm Assembly video to ensure your Flex Farm is assembled properly
Follow the Flex Farming Checklist for optimal water health and flow
Follow the below steps to improve water flow in your Flex Farm:
We will begin by checking the water flow. Start at the bottom of the Flex Farm and work towards the top, following the flow of the water. Ensure your left and right tanks are at least half full. The water level must always be above the pump for proper water flow throughout the Flex Farm. Please note, that if you notice the right tank water level is significantly higher than the left one, watch the Water Flow Troubleshooting Video.
Next, check the pump connection and positioning. Proper connection and positioning are when the vertical irrigation line tubing is flush on the pump inlet fitting, and the pump is positioned in the back 1/3rd of the left tank. Check to ensure there isn't a kink present in the vertical irrigation line, and that the valve on the vertical irrigation line is in the fully open position (parallel with the vertical irrigation line).
If you are using a pump filter bag, remove the filter bag. Over time the bag can calcify and obstruct water flowing into the pump. You can clean the pump filter bag by soaking it in a 3% hydrogen peroxide diluted with water solution overnight. Note: you can operate the Flex Farm without the pump filter bag. Also, listen to the pump. If your pump is 2+ years old and you hear a mechanical noise, it will need to be replaced. You can expect to replace your Flex Farm pump every 2-5 years. We would recommend that you purchase a replacement from the Farmative Store.
Perform a dripline cleaning and flush by starting at the beginning of the drip line. Start by taking off one top cap at a time. Use the bristle brush to clean out the drip line holes. Put the top cap back on, and repeat until you reach the end of the drip line. Place your measuring cup under the valve at the front of the drip line. Open the valve for 5 seconds to flush the line. Then close the valve. Repeat on the other side. Please note, we recommend cleaning & flushing your drip line every other week according to the Flex Farming Checklist .
Adjust the root chambers so they are a finger length apart, and the outside root chambers are budding up against the metal clamp on the drip line (the clamp should be outside the root chamber).
Please ensure all the rockwool plugs are flush with the planting space.
At this point, you should see water perfectly arching out of every drip line hole onto the back of the panels and saturating every rockwool cube. If that is not the case, please follow the Level 2 Drip Line Cleaning Instructions below. Note: Some plants may not rebound after becoming wilted. If this is the case, we recommend waiting 3 days to allow the plant to rebound. If they do not rebound, harvest the plant and plug the hole with a panel plug.
Level 2 Drip Line Cleaning Instructions:
If your drip line holes still have inconsistent flow or the water pressure coming out of your drip line holes is weak, follow the instructions below. Ideally, this is done right before refreshing your water as some debris will fall into your tanks.
The Level 2 Drip Line Cleaning forces more water pressure into the drip line, clearing obstructions or calcium buildups that have occurred over time.
Start by unplugging the pump. Unplug the light tower and set it aside.
Place a towel on your drainage valve tubing. Some water will drip out of the end of the drip lines.
Remove the drip line tubing from the top of the Y on the vertical irrigation line (see the image below).
Loosen the twist-on clamp above the ball valve on the vertical irrigation line and slip off the tubing. Set aside the small piece of vertical irrigation line tubing with the Y attached.
You can start on your side of choice by tightening the drip line tubing on the vertical irrigation line twist-on clamp.
Please ensure all your top caps are on, the drip line is in place, and plug in the pump.
Using your bristle brush clean each of the drip line holes and flush the drip line.
Unplug the pump. Loosen the twist-on clamp and attach the vertical irrigation line to the other drip line and repeat turning on the pump and cleaning and flushing the other drip line.
After you have Level 2 cleaned both drip lines, unplug the pump and reattach the small piece of vertical irrigation line tubing with the Y attached to the ball valve. Secure both the drip line tubing on the Y. Plug in the pump.
At this point, you should see water arching from every drip line hole onto the back of the panels, saturating every rockwool cube. If not, please contact Partner Support using our chat widget in the right-hand corner regarding purchasing replacement drip lines.