Setting up your Flex Micro

Post-Delivery

Gently remove and discard all packaging material from the Flex Micro.
With two people at both ends of the Flex Micro, gently lift the Flex Micro a few inches off the pallet and set it on the ground.
Using the caster wheels, roll the Flex Micro to your preferred location.

The ideal location for the Flex Micro is next to an electrical outlet and preferably within 20 ft of a water source for easy draining and refilling. The Flex Micro should always be operated within a controlled environment. Whether that be your kitchen, dining room, indoor event space, etc.

Set aside your nursery trays and humidity domes from the top of the Flex Micro.

Lighting & Irrigation Setup

Plug in the LED lights cord to a standard two-prong electrical outlet.
Test the LED lights on all three levels by turning on and off the LED switches in the top back right corner of each level.
Add water to your Flex Micro tank using standard tap water.

It is easiest to fill your Flex Micro tank using a hose. However, if no hose is available, you can also use a pitcher. The minimum fill line is the first indent from the bottom of the tank, and the maximum fill line is the first indent from the top of the tank.

Adjust the main irrigation line valve so it points to the 7 o’clock position, leaving it slightly closed. Refer to the image below for visual guidance.

Ensure the valve on the drainage quick connect is in the closed (perpendicular) position.
Ensure all black tubing is securely inserted into the designated holes on each tray lid and the tank lid.
Set the mechanical pump timer to turn on for 15 minutes every 8 hours. To program your timer, push in 1 black tripper situated around the dial every 8 hours. Each tripper represents 15 minutes. Slide the switch located on the side to the TIMER position.

The specific times the pump runs each day are flexible, as long as it operates at least once every 8 hours. The pump will make some noise while running, so you can adjust the timer dial to avoid certain periods. For example, if you are a restaurant and prefer not to have the pump running during dinner hours, you might set the timer for 3 p.m., 11 p.m., and 7 a.m.

Plug the pump into the mechanical pump timer before plugging the mechanical pump timer into a three-prong outlet.

Optimizing Water Flow

To optimize the flow of water throughout the Flex Micro. We will now tune the irrigation by slightly adjusting the valve on the main irrigation line.
To start the tuning process, turn the mechanical pump timer switch located on the side to the ON position. Wait three minutes.

Keep the valve on the drainage quick connect in the closed (perpendicular) position at all times, except when draining the tank. If the valve is open while the pump is running, water will flow out of the drainage quick connect.

After waiting three minutes. You should not hear a loud gargling noise, and the water level should reach the top of the three Flex Fittings and drain over the top of them.
- If the water is not draining over the top of the Flex Fitting: Turn the main irrigation line valve barely just a millimeter towards the open position (closer to 6 o'clock position)
- If the water is making a loud gargling noise: Turn the main irrigation line valve barely just a millimeter towards the closed position (closer to 8 o'clock position)
Wait three minutes between adjustments. Repeat the adjustments until you do not hear a loud gurgling noise and the water level reaches the top of all three Flex Fittings and drains over the top of them.

Setting up the Air Pump

Connect the quarter-inch clear tubing to your air stone.
Place the air stone in the middle bottom of your Flex Micro tank and channel the 1/4 inch clear tubing out of the hole on the right-hand side of your tank lid.
Connect the other end of the quarter-inch clear tubing to the air pump.
Plug in the air pump to a standard outlet.

The air pump oxygenates the water in your Flex Micro tank. The bubbles help keep the water moving, which prevents stagnation and reduces the risk of harmful bacteria and algae growth.

Flex Micro Settings When Waiting for Seedlings

Now, as you wait for your seeds to germinate before transplanting them into the Flex Micro, follow the below guide to keep your Flex Micro in good operating condition.
Whenever you have water in your Flex Micro tank:
- Leave the pump plugged in with the timer switch set in the TIMER position, so the pump is running every 8 hours for 15 minutes.
- Leave the air pump plugged in and running 24/7.
- Turn off the LED switch on any levels where there are no plants.
- Place a non-perforated nursery tray in all open nursery tray slots.

Keeping the pump on its regular schedule and running the air pump continuously ensures the water stays fresh and does not stagnate. Turning off the LEDs on empty levels limits algae growth. Always use a non-perforated nursery tray in any unused nursery tray slots to keep the system fully contained and minimize the risk of contamination.