Microgreens Rack Setup Full Walkthrough

[@paulowens6838]

MAN I wish I had this video a year ago when I got my 2 racks!!! Thanks for posting it. I actually just learned something about mine I had set up wrong.

[@cpfever4818]

How does that pump fill all the trays? Pumps I've used in the past would only get half way up that rack

[@BootstrapFarmer]

To size a pump for headspace, you will need to figure out the type of liquid that needs to be moved- in this case, Water, the distance between the source and destination tanks, and the desired flow rate. Once these things are known, you should look at the manufacturer's specifications for a pump that can handle the job. Finally, it's always important to apply a safety factor so that your pump can handle any unexpected scenarios. For our rack, we did all of the testing for you. Our rack’s multi-level headspace needs require a pump rated for 2000 GPH

[@lambertnoise]

Thanks for posting this. Super helpful! When the pump turns off, the water also goes down through the inlets as well as the drain outs (via gravity) correct? Or does the water just sit in the inlet lines til the next time the pump turns on? Also, do you think adding a small, off-shoot hose line (shaped like an “L” ) to the bottom drain line will help the bottom flood tray drain faster? It should let air in (without expelling drain water) to help vacuum the out the pressure built up from draining. I’ve haven’t tried it yet, but curious to know what y’all think! Thanks again!

[@BootstrapFarmer]

Correct, the water will also gravity feed back through the drain lines a little. But since the pump inlet is so low as soon as the flood trays starts draining it quickly stops because there is more pressure at the bottom as the drain lines drain fairly quickly. The L line would not be necessary as the entire system drains in 2-3 minutes.

[@lambertnoise]

Thanks for the response, preciate y’all!

[@jennyd2046]

Awesome Video and would love a rack set up like these do you have an Australian reseller? , quick question - Are the trays and irrigation lines food grade or BPA free (hard to get a food grade water pump ) , I get a lot of questions regarding plastics and growing , I have food grade Micro trays and grow on 316 stainless steel mats but sometimes its just to hard to get away from plastics. Cheers.

[@BootstrapFarmer]

For sure, we only manufacture & supply food grade. Sorry, no international shipping on these. It is a logistical mad house out there these days!

[@bradcogley8146]

Where do they get the big trays? Probably have them custom made? I cant seem to find big enough ones like that to make this all myself.

[@BootstrapFarmer]

www.bootstrapfarmer.com/products/rack-tray-2-ft-x-4-ft?_pos=2&_sid=c104b1367&_ss=r

[@Dimrain13]

Why do you need an aerator on a flood table that is based on wicking? The water coming in will mix with air each floor and the roots wont be submerged in the water long term to worry about oxygenation. That part isnt needed at all for mircrogreens

[@BootstrapFarmer]

Right, but in this instance, the aerator acts as a mechanism to keep the water churning rather than sitting for 23+ hours a day between water cycles to help reduce water stagnation.

[@PR2helper]

What's the inside diameter of those hoses 3/4 inch or 1inch?

[@BootstrapFarmer]

3/4"

[@puntosxm]

I would need to have this shipped overseas. Is it posible to get it disassembled?

[@BootstrapFarmer]

Unfortunately not.

[@davidthebeekeeper4709]

How does the bottom drain fully drain out?

[@BootstrapFarmer]

The bottom has its own 2nd drain that drains directly into Reservoir separate of main line

[@Chrisbarberous2010]

What is the purpose of the aerator?

[@BootstrapFarmer]

Aeration puts oxygen into the water which helps root development. Additionally it also helps keep the water circulating in the reservoir to help keep the water fresh. And for folks filling directly from a city water source it helps off gas chlorine from municipal water sources.

[@Chrisbarberous2010]

@@BootstrapFarmer thank you for the replies. That is good to know. How often do you recommend changing the water via this method? Will using a UV light let you skip cleanings?

[@BootstrapFarmer]

@@Chrisbarberous2010 Cleaning frequency will be dictated by amount of debris the soil median leaves behind. Water changes, cleaning are all up to the farmer to decide. The light may help but would be your call. Our goal with the racks is to cover 95% of a growers needs and let the farmer decide their individual tweaks and operating schedules since it could be used for propagation, net pots, microgreens in both soil and soilless medians.

[@fabiangomez5142]

How can I contact you guys. Im interested in 2 of those.

[@BootstrapFarmer]

Www.bootstrapfarmer.com Will get you text, phone and email options.