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Frequently
Asked Questions -
Answers to many
common questions are
presented below in an effort to help you better understand
The World's
Greatest Growing
Machine system. Should you require additional information,
you will find a
contact list here.
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Where is
the reservoir?
The
reservoir is built in. No external reservoir is required.
The entire lower forward portion of the system is the
integral reservoir. Our design it truly modular; since each GrowTube has it's own reservoir section, the reservoir is
automatically expanded as additional GrowTubes are
added, so each plant has the same volume of dedicated
reservoir, no matter how large your system is. |
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How far
will your completed systems disassemble?
The
completed system will disassemble down to two levels. The
first level .... for moving, cleaning, or harvest ....
results in a reservoir assembly, along with a grow tube assembly
for each run in the setup. The next level, for long term
storage or transportation, results in the removal of the
free standing leg and 90 elbow on each GrowTube. All levels
of disassembly can be accomplished in five minutes without
the use of tools. The guarantee of watertight operation is
maintained after assembly/disassembly/reassembly .... without the use
of any additional sealants. |
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How do
you access the reservoir for measurements and nutrient
additions?
The
upstanding portion of the center GrowTube contains the fill
port with lid. Easy access is made by simply lifting off the
lightproof PVC cover. Ample room is provided for visual
inspections, nutrient additions, and pH and TDS
measurements. You can also take nutrient samples by opening
the QuickConnect hose port and using the pump to deliver a
sample into a container. |
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What are
the three valves for on your system?
These
valve handles control our convenient valve package. This
feature results in a dramatic reduction in the labor
associated with the maintenance of hydroponic systems, and
is the subject of four separate patent claims. This built-in
unit controls the powered pump overboard feature, reservoir
self-agitation for mixing and self cleaning, and nutrient
distribution features. Our clean running system requires
virtually no routine cleaning. Our QuickConnect drain/fill
hose attachment and powered pump overboard feature
dramatically reduce the labor involved in routine reservoir
changes, and eliminate annoying hydraulic-potential
concerns. There is no more need to drain the reservoir tank
to a lower elevation .... no need for a floor drain. You may
now drain uphill. You are able to locate your
machine almost anywhere, and rely on the pump to empty your system,
instead of gravity .... even uphill. Reservoir
nutrient change hassles are a thing of the past. |
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What
areas are accessible for cleaning?
All
interior surfaces are easily accessible .... this includes
all portions of the reservoir and the entire length of each
GrowTube. The system is completely light proof .... and runs
perfectly clean. This helps eliminate insect infestations
and algae, significantly improving cleanliness while
simultaneously reducing cleaning labor. The system also
contains a built-in self-cleaning capability that
automatically removes particulate matter from the system.
The filter element is commonly available, inexpensive,
reusable, is changed in less than five minutes, and only
needs to be cleaned once every two years. |
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Please
explain the function of your valves.
Our
valve system inexpensively allows for a tremendous reduction
in the repetitive labor common with routine reservoir
maintenance and nutrient changes. All hydroponic systems
require routine periodic nutrient changes in order to
replenish the nutrients removed from solution by the plants.
This labor can easily become an extreme burden ....
depending on the frequency of reservoir changes .... which
jeopardizes the crop when neglected. Every 4-6 weeks is a
common frequency. By automating the draining and refill, and
auto-mixing during nutrient and pH additions, labor is
reduced and system health is maintained. The valve system
also eliminates any concern regarding hydraulic potential
.... allowing the system to drain in most locations and
orientations without the need for a floor drain. We solved
these problems by designing into our system a cost effective
system to empty the reservoir 'uphill', under pump power,
regardless of your location. The pump overboard feature
allows for much quicker reservoir changes. Once the tank is
empty, simply reverse the flow in the attached drain hose by
connecting the hose to the water source, and refill through
the bi-directional port .... in one-fifth the time required
when draining under gravity alone. |
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What
watering schedule do you use with your reduced medium?
The
system is extremely flexible with respect to the watering
schedule. The roots are not deprived or able to dry out when
the pump is not in operation because of the light-proof 99%
humidity environment inside the GrowTubes. Some users run
the pumps whenever the lights are on. We recommend starting
the plants with something like 30 minutes of pump off every 3
hours when the lights are on. The optimum feed schedule will be dependent upon the
grow methodology, type of plant being grown, and the users
preference. The system is very flexible, which leaves the
user's options open. In addition, in our system the GrowTube environment
is optimal for the uptake of oxygen throughout the root
system .... thereby eliminating the need for secondary
oxygenation sources such aquarium pumps, air stones, and
bubblers. If
desired, these auxiliary air units may be added easily,
however our side by side tests demonstrate that they are not
required. |
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What
type of emitters do your systems use?
None!
We have reliably designed the emitters, misters, and jets out of the system
.... they are simply not required. Our patented pressure
equalizing internal watering harness and distribution
manifold eliminate the need for emitters by guaranteeing
equal pressure at each plant site regardless of the number
of plants .... thereby eliminating the major maintenance
hassle of clogged emitters. We have our own custom designed
turbulent-flow FeedStake now being produced for us which
allows all feed lines to remain internal to our grow tubes.
The FeedStake has a wide opening for steady flow, a
turbulent port to oxygenate the nutrients prior to
depositing at the base of the plant, and a threaded
connection to eliminate the frustration of barbed
connections. The threaded connection allows the stake to be
easily twisted off for removal and reinstallation.
The pressure equalizing nature of our design allows for
the use of a much smaller and less expensive pump than is
required in other systems of comparable size ....benefiting
the user with lower initial cost, ease of replacement, low
noise levels, and
extended life. |
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Where
can I get a compatible pump for your system?
Our
systems are designed to eliminate the requirement for a
specialized pump .... even in larger systems. Your best
source for an inexpensive pump is North American
Hydroponics. We now supply pumps with all of our systems
and, should you experience a failure, replacements may be
ordered from us as well. In an emergency, your local
hardware store probably stocks the inexpensive and reliable
Little Giant fountain pumps, which work perfectly in our
system. The commonly available Dayton Hudson pumps, as well
as the Maxi Jets, sold in most local grow shops, also work
well. Any standard submersible pump with a 1/2" diameter
discharge port, and a flow rate of 900 or more liters/hr will function fine. |
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What is
nutrient lockup and pH potential?
Without getting
too technical: pH is a
measure of the relative concentrations of the H+ and OH-
ions in the root environment .... having said that, it may
be best to think of pH as an electrical measurement. Simply
put, if the electric charge is not correct .... the charged
nutrient molecules are not accepted for use by the plant,
i.e. they are 'locked up'. All plants have very specific pH
requirements for the proper uptake of nutrients through
their root systems. Most nutrients may only be utilized by
the plant through a specific, narrow range of pH. An
understanding of this simple requirement .... and an
adequate nutrient supply .... is just about all that is
required to remove the guesswork from growing. The proper pH
control you can eliminate the constant guesswork involved in
trying to diagnose nutrient deficiencies. It is just that
simple! To control pH you require either constant attention
to your system .... or a pH neutral design that maintains
the pH you set ....effortlessly! This 'natural' pH level of
the system is what is referred to as 'pH potential' .... it
is the 'potential' or 'charge' on your system. This is the
natural potential that you will constantly fight for the
life of the system .... and it represents a major system
cost .... in pH adjustment solutions, labor, and lost crop
productivity. Our system .... by virtue of its pH neutrality
and ease of maintenance .... eliminates these problems. The
use of pH neutral, ultra-violet stabilized, food grade PVC
components and a very small volume of grow medium results in
the easiest, most productive, and most efficient grow system
available.
Want more information on pH? Select
here. |
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How do
you reduce the pH potential of your medium?
Our
system is designed to support the root system in the optimal
growth environment .... without the use of large volumes of
grow medium. Eliminating the large pH potential of most
mediums stabilizes the system. When combined with the
neutral pH of our entire system, and the extraordinary
cleanliness of our pump-powered filtering and light tight
design, the result eliminates the single greatest cause of growing
problems .... failure to maintain the pH within the range
required for wide spectrum nutrient uptake. Our system's 3"
diameter NetPots will support all popular mediums, including
Hydroton, LavaRock, RockWool, or any other standard
hydroponic grow materials. |
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Are your
systems suitable for use outdoors?
Our
systems are well suited for indoor, greenhouse, or outdoor
use. With virtually no exposed grow media, all nutrient
liquid is contained within the unit and is available for use
by the plant. Cleanliness is maintained, and evaporation is
reduced to losses due to plant transpiration only. The
closed system is not open to contamination, and runs
perfectly clean. System operation is the same, regardless of
whether the unit is indoors or outdoors. |
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Why are
your baskets so closely spaced?
Our
systems feature an industry standard 6" (approx.) spacing,
which has evolved as a standard due to the drive toward the
most efficient production. Many users believe that growing
a large plant, by allowing it to branch during vegetative
growth, will increase production. Exactly the opposite is
true for many crops. Rather than allow the crop to use up
valuable time in the vegetative phase developing branches,
modern production methods put the crop into flowering mode
and trim the plants extensively, forcing the plant's energy
into the development of a few huge fruits. These large
fruits are harvested, and a new crop is started, resulting
in a much higher yield over time since many for growth
cycles per year are possible. This technique is
commonly called Sea-of-Green. Growers who prefer to allow
their crop to branch may still do so by trimming the
branches to fill the space between the GrowTubes, or by
growing in alternate plant sites. Sea-of-Green crop cycle
times can be less than half the time required for
traditional crops, by eliminating extensive vegetative
periods. Production is further enhanced by the compact
plant size, resulting in the ability to harvest many more
plants. |
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How long
does the World's Greatest Growing Machine take to produce a
crop?
Despite
what other hydroponic manufacturers will tell you, no system
will actually shorten the cycle time of your crop beyond the
genetic limit of the crop. However, any plant requirement
(clean air, root-zone oxygen, nutrients, proper pH, and
light) in short supply will extend the development time of
the crop beyond the genetic limitation. The World's
Greatest Growing Machine supplies ALL plant requirements,
eliminates excessive rooting as the plant searches for
missing elements, and achieves the genetic limit of the
growth cycle time...resulting in the fastest crop possible. |
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How
quickly can you ship?
All
orders are normally shipped within ten business days. Custom
designs may take a few days longer. Please call North
American Hydroponics to discuss your particular shipping
requirements. Most orders are shipped FedEx
Ground. Expedited shipping is available at additional
charge. Volume orders may be shipped via LTL carrier, FedEx
Ground, or FedEx 100 Weight. |
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How does
your Privacy Protection order option work?
Customers
who desire privacy or do not want to use a major credit card may submit payment with a U.S. Postal
Money Order, available at any U.S. Post Office. No personal information is required for this
type of payment. After receipt of payment, the order is shipped to the address of
the purchaser's choice. Please call NAH for an exact
quotation, including shipping, prior to submitting payment.
Include the following information in your mailed order:
System description (e.g. Mother/Closet with 11 sites),
whether or not you want a MatingRing, QuickDisconnects, or
Duplicate Plant Baskets (the only three options available),
delivery address, and optionally: some form of contact
information (phone, email). Without contact information
your order may be delayed in the event of an order
question. While not required, it is highly recommended that
customers call NAH prior to submitting an order, in order to
ensure accurate ordering and a smooth order process.
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Where
may I address written correspondence or mail a Money Order
to? |
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Please
address all written correspondence, including Money Order
payments, to: |
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North
American Hydroponics (or NAH)
P.O. Box 330
Granite Falls, Washington 98252 |
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How can I get a
brochure on your systems?
To request a brochure, call our
toll-free number below and select option 3, and follow the
instructions. For faster service,
click here
to download a PDF of the brochure. |
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Please
address general questions to:
info at WeAreHydro.com |
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Direct
retail , wholesale, or educational sales inquires to:
sales at WeAreHydro.com |
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Questions on system operation are welcomed at:
support at WeAreHydro.com |
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Order toll-free at
1-855-WeAreHydro
(932-7349) select option 1 for Sales |
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Talk
to a human at
1-855-WeAreHydro
(932-7349) select option 2
for Support |
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Request a
brochure at
1-855-WeAreHydro
(932-7349) select option 3
for a Brochure |
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FAX
us at
1-360-691-1566 |
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