Draining problem

[finallyinseattle]

Trying to drain my Farm 24XL for the first time.  I'm walking through the steps and no water is coming into the tube.  If I remove the tube, the water does flow out the top.  What am I missing?

[lynnee]

One hose end needs to be inserted firmly, straight down into the pump stalk, through the Farm deck opening that has the rubber cover. (The stalk is the upright tube that sends water through the grow deck when the pump is running.)

The other end of the hose needs to go into a water receptacle that is on the floor next to the Farm. It's best to place the hose end at the bottom, level with or below the Farm reservoir water level. Easiest on the pump.

Then you need to tap "start/stop" on the Farm touchscreen display to start the pump again. If no water comes out of the hose, you may not have the hose inserted correctly into the pump stalk. (It's possible to insert the hose sideways so that water doesn't go into the hose at all.)

You can check to make sure the pump is working by pulling out the hose and starting the pump. Water--a lot of water--will come up like a fountain if the pump is ok, so be ready to tap "start/stop" again immediately.

With a Farm 24, you need to be sure that you are controlling the correct pump, by starting the draining procedure from the Left or from the Right.

[Shawn]

If you follow the steps and the hose is interested into the space on the bounty deck firmly it will not come out.  ALso you can stop and start at any time but pressing the appropriate button on the panel

I will try to remember and take a video of the steps next time I drain,

[tatmia]

Just drained mine for the first time this weekend. If your tube is like mine - it’s sealed itself shut at the fold lines. I had to open up all of them and continue to monitor as they kept trying to seal shut again.

I'm going to try attaching the tubing to a small air pump this weekend to see if I can force the folds permanently open.

[lynnee]

Jul 18, 2023 5:26:06 GMT -5 tatmia said:

Just drained mine for the first time this weekend. If your tube is like mine - it’s sealed itself shut at the fold lines. I had to open up all of them and continue to monitor as they kept trying to seal shut again.

I'm going to try attaching the tubing to a small air pump this weekend to see if I can force the folds permanently open.

I forgot about the dang fold lines! I now use black aquarium hose. It is slightly smaller than AG hose in the interior diameter, so that water drains more slowly. However, it goes further down into the stalk, so that you get a better connection. Also, it doesn't kink or get the bends (flatten at the folds when stored) like the AG hose.

[Shawn]

Jul 18, 2023 10:45:33 GMT -5 lynnee said:

I forgot about the dang fold lines! I now use black aquarium hose. It is slightly smaller than AG hose in the interior diameter, so that water drains more slowly. However, it goes further down into the stalk, so that you get a better connection. Also, it doesn't kink or get the bends (flatten at the folds when stored) like the AG hose.

Do you have a link for this hose?

[lynnee]

Sure do, Shawn!

Deep Jungle Black Aquarium Tubing

It's good quality, in a standard size. You can find equally serviceable tubing in shorter lengths for less money. You only need a 5-6' length.

[Shawn]

Jul 19, 2023 12:08:24 GMT -5 lynnee said:

Sure do, Shawn !

Deep Jungle Black Aquarium Tubing

It's good quality, in a standard size. You can find equally serviceable tubing in shorter lengths for less money. You only need a 5-6' length.

I went to the link and it is not there. 

[scarfguy]

Jul 27, 2023 14:54:59 GMT -5 Shawn said:

Jul 19, 2023 12:08:24 GMT -5 lynnee said:

Sure do, Shawn !

Deep Jungle Black Aquarium Tubing

It's good quality, in a standard size. You can find equally serviceable tubing in shorter lengths for less money. You only need a 5-6' length.

I went to the link and it is not there. 

FYI... I just clicked the link and it works fine.

[lynnee]

Shawn, try this shortened link:

Deep Jungle Tubing

[slw]

Jul 27, 2023 15:49:23 GMT -5 scarfguy said:

FYI... I just clicked the link and it works fine.

Ditto. 

[Shawn]

Jul 27, 2023 17:40:08 GMT -5 lynnee said:

Shawn , try this shortened link:

Deep Jungle Tubing

Got it, thank you!

[slw]

I am about to drain my Farm for the first time today.  I almost pulled a "Mrs. scarfguy" a few minutes ago.  I was moving the trellis and decided to peek under the rubber plug, not realizing the pump was running.   Thank goodness I managed to press the plug back down before I needed to drag out the wet/dry vac!!! 

I'm nervous about this whole "pump out the water" thing with the Farm sitting on carpet, but I do want to get the tank R&R done before the cucumbers start climbing.  Wish me luck!!

[scarfguy]

GOOD LUCK, slw!

[swimmom500]

Sept 20, 2023 12:24:13 GMT -5 slw said:

I am about to drain my Farm for the first time today.  I almost pulled a "Mrs. scarfguy" a few minutes ago.  I was moving the trellis and decided to peek under the rubber plug, not realizing the pump was running.   Thank goodness I managed to press the plug back down before I needed to drag out the wet/dry vac!!! 

I'm nervous about this whole "pump out the water" thing with the Farm sitting on carpet, but I do want to get the tank R&R done before the cucumbers start climbing.  Wish me luck!!

LOL! And good luck! Let us know how it goes.

[slw]

Thanks for the moral support, guys!!   It went very smoothly... and was easy to do.  I took advantage of the tank cleanout to move the Farm onto that black furniture dolly that I bought (and had decided not to use.)   I have learned that there are occasions when it would be nice to be able to move the Farm without emptying it first, so now it's sitting 5" higher on wheels.