Getting Started

This section will guide you through the setup process for your FLORATek 4 system.

What You Will Need

  • FLORATek 4 system with all included accessories

  • Your hydroponic system, assembled and ready for water

  • Water reservoir with lid

  • pH up and pH down solution if used

  • Nutrient solutions with feedchart

Important Notes Before Starting

Your FLORATek 4 system must be properly setup, configured, and calibrated before use.

If you are supplying pH solutions and nutrients directly into a reservoir, the ends of the nutrient feed tubes should always be kept above the surface of the water. If the feed tubes become submerged, nutrients will be siphoned out of the tubes, causing unbalanced water and possibly damaging plants.

When using the FLORATek 4 system, the water level in your reservoir should be closely monitored. If the water level drops below the probes, the FLORATek will not be able to correctly monitor or treat your water, your probes may be damaged, and your plants may be damaged or die. If the water level rises too high, solution may be siphoned from the feed tubes. With most hydroponic systems, the use of a float valve and overflow drain can greatly assist the user with keeping the water at the appropriate level.

Warning

WARNING! pH correction solutions (pH up and down) should never be directly mixed together! Dangerous chemicals and gases can be created. When switching between pH solutions, ensure the pH pump(s) and tubing are thoroughly flushed with water.

Probe Care

The FLORATek 4 system uses high-quality pH and EC probes to monitor the condition of your water. These probes are extremely accurate and reliable, but must be properly cared for to prevent them from being damaged.

Even when properly cared for, the pH and EC probes will require replacement. How frequently the probes require replacement depends greatly on how they are maintained, how frequently they are used, and how they are stored when not being used.

Tips for Keeping Your Probes Healthy

  • Protect your probes from impact. Take care not to drop them.

  • When not being actively used, store your probes properly in a safe spot.

  • Never use your probes to stir a solution.

  • The pH probe hydration cap should be kept on the pH probe whenever the probe is not in use. If the tip of the pH probe dries out, the probe may be permanently damaged. Keep your hydration cap stored somewhere safe. For short-term storage, such as during long water changes, use a small amount of pH 4.0 Calibration Solution in the cap. For long-term storage, pH probe storage solution should be used.

  • Pure distilled water (DW) and reverse osmosis (RO) water can damage the pH probe over time. If using distilled water or RO water, you may want to stabilize your water by using it in a ratio with regular tap water. The use of distilled water and RO water is covered in the Electrical Conductivity section.