System Setup

Before setting up your FLORATek 4 control, you should first prepare, plumb, and test your entire hydroponic reservoir and system.

Hydroponics System Setup

Keep these tips in mind when designing and constructing your system:

  • When configuring your reservoir, do not place air stones directly under the probes. Bubbles and aerated water can interfere with accurate probe readings.

  • Heaters, pumps, and any other components should be installed at least 12 inches from the probes.

  • Completely fill your reservoir and hydroponic system with water before installing your FLORATek system. You will need the water at the correct stable level in your reservoir before installing your probes and tubing. As you add water to your system for the first time, try to track the amount added as closely as possible - you’ll need to know the approximate water capacity of your entire hydroponic system.

  • Water should continuously circulate throughout the reservoir to ensure accurate monitoring and effective nutrient mixing. In some cases, a recirculation tee or a second small water pump may need to be used for effective mixing of the water in the reservoir.

Mounting Your FLORATek 4 Control

In most cases, your FLORATek 4 control should be mounted securely on a vertical surface near your reservoir. Your probes and nutrient tubing will need to reach into your reservoir, and your power cords will need to reach a 120v power source. If this is not possible, or you would like a more convenient configuration, consider using our probe cell and/or inline manifold (both sold separately).

Warning

WARNING! Nearly all hydroponics systems involve placing electronic devices in or near water. If not installed properly, this can result in electrocution, serious injury, and/or death. We strongly encourage you to utilize a properly-installed GFCI outlet for all devices used with your hydroponics system. Test this GFCI outlet regularly. If you have questions about your electrical situation or need a GFCI outlet installed, contact a licensed electrician.

Probes and Tubing Setup

It is important to properly install your pH probe, EC probe, and nutrient tubing. There are many ways this can be accomplished, and the best way depends on your particular hydroponics system and reservoir.

No matter what method you use to mount your probes and tubing, always follow these guidelines:

  • It is most convenient to calibrate your probes before installing them in your reservoir.

  • The tips of your probes must always be submerged about 2-4 inches below the surface of the water. If your probe tips are too shallow, your FLORATek control will not be able to accurately measure the pH, EC, and temperature of your water and may incorrectly pump unwanted pH and nutrient solutions into your water.

  • Your pH and EC probes should NEVER be allowed to dry out. See the section on probe maintenance for more information.

  • Your pH and EC probes should not be completely submerged underwater.

  • Unlike the probes, make sure the ends of the tubing never submerge in the water. The pH and nutrient solutions should drip out of the tubing and into the water. Because of the low surface tension of pH and nutrient solutions, water can travel up the tubing and pull solutions out of the tubing without them being pumped. This will lead to undesired and inaccurate dosing, and will make your FLORATek control struggle to accurately maintain your water chemistry.

  • Make sure the water in your reservoir is being circulated thoroughly and constantly. Because the FLORATek 4 control is always on and running, it will struggle to maintain your desired water chemistry if it is not being circulated continuously. You may want to add a small auxiliary water pump in your reservoir (or tee off of your main pump) to make sure water is being thoroughly mixed.

Note

Accessories for mounting your probes and tubing can be found at www.tetraponics.com

Before You Continue

Now that your hydroponic system is set up and ready, it is time to configure your FLORATek 4 control.

Before beginning the control configuration process, it is wise to double-check your setup. Ensure that your pH probe, EC probe, and (if applicable) pump boxes are plugged into the control box. Also ensure all tubing runs correctly from their containers, to the pumps, then to the reservoir. There should be no kinks or sharp turns in the tubing. Finally, make sure that your hydroponic system is filled to the correct level and your circulation pump is running.

Take note of the water level in your reservoir. You should add water when the level drops to within 1 inch of the probe tips. All hydroponic systems lose water due to evaporation, and the rate at which you will need to add water varies depending on the size of your system, the plants you are growing, and the geometry of your reservoir.

Using the supplied 24-volt DC power adapter, plug in your FLORATek 4. You can use either of the DC barrel jacks - they both can supply power to the control while the other passes through the 24V DC power to the optional pump expansions.

At power-up, your FLORATek control always starts up in the paused mode so it will not begin pumping nutrients or pH solution. Do not press RUN until you have fully completed the configuration process. Note that your pH and EC measurements will be incorrect at first startup due to the probes not yet being calibrated.

The next section will guide you through the user interface and configuration process.