Catalogue: Section 1: Hydroponic Systems: HydroPod System By Esoteric Hydroponics: Assembly Of Large Systems

Cleaning Before Installation

All HydroPod systems should be cleaned before use. This will remove dirt and dust accumulated during construction, storage and transport. It is not strictly necessary to clean the system before each and every use, although it will increase success significantly. We recommend the use of OxyPlus or weak bleach. We prefer to use OxyPlus because it is beneficial to plants in low quantities whereas bleach is quite harmful. If you are using bleach, rinse everything thouroughly and multiple times to prevent bleach residue killing your plants. Additionally, clay pebbles require cleaning, as described elsewhere.

Suitable Site For Installation

Installation of the HydroPod system in a basement or cellar may require placement on a concrete surface. Please note that the reservior tank holds a large weight (the nutrient solution). Also note that the reservior is made from molded plastic. It is therefore possible for imperfections in the floor to deform or puncture the plastic reservior tank. This will not occur if the following precautions are taken. Place the reservior tank on a large piece of wood, such a chipboard, or on an old piece of carpet. This will eliminate the potentially damaging imperfections of the concrete surface.

A large piece of wood may also be of benefit for loft installations.

Assembly

Smaller HydroPod systems are sent fully assembled, but 16 pod systems and larger are sent in multiple packages and require some assembly before use. All HydroPod systems require some preparation before use, but large systems may also require some assembly. Each four column system is typically supplied in three parts. The central columns of the HydroPod system are packaged with the reservior and the wing columns are packaged separately. Although the system can be assembled by copying the connections between the central columns and the reservior tank, more detailed instructions are useful. The following diagrams illustrate the pipe connections required:

• 16 pod diagram.
• 24 pod diagram.
• 24 pod animation.

The top of each diagram shows the top (and front) of a HydroPod system. The bottom of each diagram shows a front view of the physical arrangement of pods, stands, nutrient reservoir tank and lid. The angular block in the upper portion of the diagram is not a separate component - it is a representation of the front of the reservoir tank. It should be noted that if you wish to assemble a HydroPod system in a space with a small entrance, the pieces should be transported separately before assembly. The central columns of pods can be folded away from the tank, so that the pods are dragged behind the tank. Therefore, the minimum size entrance required is the width and height of two pods.

Note that the wing columns of large HydroPod systems connect to one end of the reservior tank and can therefore be arranged relatively independent of the reservior tank. Therefore it is possible to place large HydroPod systems around loft beams and suchlike. Alternatively, wing columns can be independantly placed in the opposite direction, allowing large HydroPod systems to be placed in narrow spaces.

Coloured tubing shown in the diagram is for clarity only and does not represent the actual colour of the tubing. All tubes supplied with HydroPod systems and kits are the same colour, usually black. The black blobs in the diagram depict tee junctions and corner junctions in the tubing. Additional corner junctions may be attached to pipes to ease connection. The red tubing in the diagram (outermost pipes between pods) is the emergency overflow subsystem. The overflow subsystem functions in a similar manner to a household bathtub and washbasin with the exception that liquid is re-directed to the reservoir and therefore forms a closed system. Pairs of emergency overflow pipes are connected via tee junctions to the front of the reservoir tank. (Legacy models of the HydroPod system, such as the system pictured, may have a different arrangement of tank fixtures. All current models have the arrangement described.)

The blue tubing in the diagram (under the emergency overflow channels) is the nutrient feeding channel. The nutrient feeding pipes are connected to the side of the reservoir tank. Fully submersible, water-proof pumps are attached to the side tubes on the inside of the tank. The yellow tubing in the diagram (opposite side of each pod) is the nutrient return channel. During normal operation, nutrient solution leaves each pod via this channel only. The valves on the return channel allow the rate of drainage to be restricted. This eliminates the problem of small plants being sucked under the surface. For larger plants, the valves can be fully opened. (Many people do not bother to adjust the factory settings of the valves and do not encounter any problems.) The four valves can be operated independently, allowing each column of the HydroPod system to sustain plants in different stages of growth.