Setup

3.1 Before the set-up:

• Maxi Blumats remain in the soil, Standard-Tropf-Blumats are normally removed, as long as the tubing is long enough to allow for removal
• However, all units remain attached to the system and the water faucet stays open; the soil should be well moistened!

3.2 Now adjust:

• Unscrew watering head and open to flush, check dripping distance (standard approx. 8 cm)
• Set zero-point without bottom part attached (Drip should remain hanging! also see 1.2)
• Close further, based on own experience > maximum + 4 markings
• Alternative- set zero-point after a waiting period (see 2.2 above),
• However, then do not change settings, do not close further (corresponds to normal maintenance)

• or if less moisture is desired, it is possible to close further
• Fill both types of Blumat to the rim.
• For Maxi-Blumat: immediately tightly screw-on watering head (remove drip tubing from the head to prevent twisting and to straighten tubing)
• For Standard-Tropf-Blumat: tightly screw the bottom part onto the watering head (keep bottom part in an upright position);
  insert sensor back into the soil – same location, however, place a bit of loose soil into the hole;
  insert the clay cone into the soil by turning (good contact to substrate important).

4.1 Signs of a Problem:

• Air bubbles in the viewing window are too large (Standard-Tropf-Blumat only) > covering half of window or more (sensor reacts sluggishly)
  Cause: incorrect setting (screw closed too much), last maintenance took place a long time ago (also see 4.3)
• Soil is too dry or Tropf-Blumat irrigates too long (switch remains on > over watering!)
  = usually a result of too much air volume or too long of a dripping distance)
• Planting bed is completely dry; for example, herbaceous plants appear wilted or leaves clearly pale green in color
  Cause: drip tubing is clogged or water supply has been accidently turned off or sensor is defective (leaking).

4.2 Deaeration, Reactivation:

• Always first check that water is flowing freely through the tubing (see 3.2 and 4.3)
  and remove any possible blockage: loosen any deposits by kneading and rolling the tubing and then flushing
• Unscrew watering head, fill bottom part only to the rim, clay cone must still be quite damp (also see 3.2)
• Do not make any changes to the settings at this time (wait till after there has been new activity)
  If, however, the drip tubing has been manipulated or the dripping distance has been corrected, then it is best to reset, see instructions under 3.2

4.3 Suggested Maintenance (Control)

Check 3 points:

• Correct functioning of tubing: flowing freely, undamaged (no leakage)
  To check function: make note of current status (dripping or not dripping), turn adjusting screw till completely open, allow to flush briefly, then close again and reset as earlier (long drip tubing is more prone to blockage!)
• Sensor function: check that the selected sensors are filled enough,
  remove Standard-Tropf-Blumats and check the filling level through the viewing window by holding at an angle,
  Tropf-Blumat Maxi should only be checked be unscrewing the watering head (Maxis generally have a longer period between refills)
• Water supply: check function (tap turned on) or tank filled enough (enough pressure)
  (Careful, if the first adjustment was carried out with a full tank, then when the water level in the tank is low, the Tropf-Blumat will irrigate later.)

Frequency of maintenance:

In intervals of 8-10 weeks, according to experience or 1-2 times during the growing period (depending on duration). It is also advisable to maintain the system 1-2 weeks before a period of absence.

5.1 Moderate Moisture Levels

Too much moisture or standing water (waterlogging) is often a cause of damage to plants.
Settings to reduce the moisture levels:

• Turn adjusting screw closed by another 2-3 markings
  (This can affect the amount of water in the cone, therefore, it is advisable to deaerate more frequently, or to use a Maxi-Blumat.)
• Reduce the distance between the dripper head and drip location (water reaches the cone more quickly, Tropf-Blumat shuts-off faster = less water)
• Operate Tropf-Blumat Maxi with 3-4 cm of extra air volume (slows down irrigation)
• As a general rule, choose the number of Tropf-Blumat per container conservatively.

5.2 Connecting to a Distributer Dripper

Distributer drippers result in – depending upon the number used per row – differing amounts of resistance on the dripper.

• Always adjust the Tropf-Blumat together with the distributor dripper after observing the first distributor dripper following the Tropf-Blumat,
  the distance between them is about 8 cm.

5.3 Permeable Substrates

Increasingly, substrates in use are based on compost without peat or those with mineral granulate.

These substrates are very permeable, with the following consequences:

• Good for the plants, no waterlogging, water drains quickly downwards, however, there is minimal sideways distribution.
  Unfavorable for drip irrigation (water reaches the clay cone poorly, sensor shuts-off too late, results in excess water!)
• Reduce distance between drip location and sensor to 6-7 cm, plan on adding additional Tropf-Blumats depending on container size (for example, 4 Tropf-Blumats in an 80 cm balcony box).
  However, do not overly increase the number; first test, and then add more later, if necessary.

5.4 Take Weather Conditions into Consideration

Tropf-Blumat are somewhat “weather-sensitive”; they react to an increase in temperature with a slight delay, the soil becomes a bit drier.

• During a longer period of summerlike temperatures (longer than a week), turn the brown adjusting screw 1 marking counterclockwise (more open). This is assuming that the initial setting was done in the cooler springtime.
• This “warm weather setting” can be returned to the original setting at the latest when the cooler nights of autumn begin- turn clockwise 1 marking to close, otherwise, there is a more frequent risk of excess watering.