Clean — F3 Academy

CLEANING YOUR FARMSHELF

After you fully harvest, it is crucial to deep clean your Farmshelf in order to maintain a sanitary growing environment.

A diluted hydrogen peroxide solution should be the only cleaning solution used to clean your Farmshelf. Other solutions can leave behind odors and chemicals making it inhabitable for plants.

WHAT YOu’ll need

nitrile or cleaning gloves
alcohol spray bottle
fill/drain vessel (such as bucket/your water cart)
3-4 microfiber cleaning cloths
soft bristle brush
squeegee
shears
trash or compost bag
1 pH solution kit

Hydrogen Peroxide Ratios

Check your Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) for %
35% H2O2: 25mL for every 5 gallons of water
12% H2O2: 75 mL for 5 gallons of water
3% H2O2: 300 mL for every 5 gallons of water

FOLLOW THESE STEPS:

Step 1: Drain your Farmshelf

Instructions will appear on your LCD Screen. Open the bottom left compartment door and you’ll see two valves; the empty valve at the top is to drain. Attach your water cart quick connection hose to this valve and wait for a click. On your touch screen activate drain mode under Tank and then select Drain. If necessary for any reason, you can use the touchscreen to pause draining (or filling).

Step 2: Turn off Functions

Under the Water Flow tab of the touchscreen, turn off Water Circulation and Auto-doser.

Step 3: Trim the roots

Starting at the top shelf, lift the tray cover to find the roots of your crops. To remove crops from pods easier, use your shears to separate the connecting roots. Reattach the tray top and remove crops with the pods from the top - they should pop off easily. Be sure to remove all plastic pods. The tray should be empty. Repeat for each shelf.

Step 4: remove debris

Remove plant debris from the top of the tray then lift to remove floating debris. The less debris, the less likely it is you’ll have clogs. Repeat for each shelf.

Step 5: remove Tray Covers

Remove tray cover completely from the unit and set aside to be cleaned and remove any floating matter. Repeat for each shelf.

Note: While the tray covers are dishwasher safe, do not use high heat as they will warp.

Step 6: Release the dams

Starting at the top shelf, locate the round black dam on the far right drain of the top shelf and remove. You’ll hear the water start draining. Repeat for each shelf.

Step 7: Squeegee the basin

Starting at the top shelf, use your squeegee to push any remaining water towards the dam. With your microfiber cloth, wipe down the dam and be sure to the dam place back into the shelf immediately after draining. Repeat for each shelf.

Step 8: Scrub with brush

Using your soft bristle brush and light force, scrub the left corner, remembering to scrub on and around the water emitter. Follow up this step with the back wall of the dam in the right corner. Repeat for each shelf.

Step 9: H202 Wipe down

Using your pre-made diluted hydrogen peroxide solution, spray the base of the tray. Take your microfiber cloth and wipe down the basin thoroughly, including the corners and emitter in the left corner. Repeat for reach shelf.

Step 10: Drain remaining water

Completely drain your unit of any remaining water.

Step 11: Clean Sensors

Locate the water tank in the bottom right compartment door of the unit and disconnect the fill valve attached to the tank. Carefully full the tank out 2-3 inches to expose sensors. Do not fully remove the tank. The sensor holder (which holds 3 sensors) is attached to the tank. Slowly and gently wiggle and remove the sensors from the holder and carefully wipe down. Avoid wiping the tip of the sensors to prolong lifespan. Reassemble the valve and tank.

Step 12: Wipe Down tank

Once again using a microfiber and the diluated hydrogen peroxide solution, spray and wipe down the sides and floor of the tank.

Step 13: Clean filters

Remove the tank lid, locate the black tubing, and gently wiggle this up slightly. Remove this filter and rinse thoroughly under running water. Place filter back in its groove and pull down the black tube back into place.

Step 14: Overnight flush

Prepare your water cart with the diluted hydrogen solution using the ratio guide at the top of the page. You will be running this solution through the unit. Double-check that the unit has been correctly put back together from the previous steps (eg: sensors, tank, tank lid, etc are all back in place).
Reconnect your quick connection hose and fill your unit to capacity with the diluted hydrogen peroxide water by using the touch screen to activate fill. Close unit doors and allow the unit to run its full cycle overnight. The final step completed next day.

Step 15: Morning drain

Prepare your water cart and follow STEP 1 to drain the unit completely of diluted hydrogen peroxide water.

Step 16: Refill unit

Refill your unit with a normal water supply to capacity.

Step 17: Final check

Perform a quick spot check for any missed debris, wipe down the unit’s doors, and you’re ready to germinate! For more resources, and questions contact support@farmshelf.com