EASILY WATER 250 PLANTS
THE 8 MM / 1/4 " WATER SUPPLY TUBE CAN SUSTAIN 250 PLANTS. If your plant grouping is larger, you can install a tee just beyond the pressure reducer, enabling you to connect 2 x 60 meters or 500 plants.

I NEED HOW MANY UNITS?
Outdoors: 1 Tropf Blumat can water a circular area of 30 cm (12"). FOR FLOWER BOXES WITH A WIDTH UP TO 20 cm (8") AND A LENGTH OF 100 cm (40"); you need at least 3 Blumats. A LENGTH OF 60-80 cm (30"); at least 2 Blumats. LESS THAN 60 cm; Use 1 Tropf Blumat (with a distributor dripper if water distribution is not even).

Potted Plants: UP TO 25 cm (12") DIAMETER; 1 Blumat.
FROM 40 - 50 cm (20") DIAMETER; 2 Blumats.
In large fixed planters, use a distribution dripper instead of extra Tropf Blumats.

USE A GRAVITY FEED WATER SUPPLY
Tropf Blumat watering systems can be set up using a gravity feed tank. Any pail or container can be used as the reservoir. ALL THE FITTINGS TO DO THIS ARE INCLUDED IN THE TROPF BLUMAT PATIO DECK & BALCONY SET.

If you are installing a Tropf Blumat water system from individual pieces you can use the RAIN BARREL CONNECTOR (Thru-Hull) to provide a drip proof seal in the pail. The bottom of your pail/reservoir must be at least 5 cm (2") above the top of your pots/soil level. Long runs of water supply line over 12 meters (40 ft.) require the gravity tank to be 100 cm (3 ft.) above.

IT IS IMPORTANT that the reservoir/pail does not ever run out of water. It is advisable to mount a float kit in the pail and connect this to your house line.

FEEDING YOUR PLANTS
Feed plants individually or add nutrients directly into the reservoir/pail for feeding your plants. Easy care indoor gardening.

INDOOR GARDENS
A Tropf Blumat can be simply moved from one pot to the next if it has been always in service and the cone in root free. If not root free, scrub the roots off the cone. Remove the top and rinse the inside with fresh water. Store clean cones in a pail of water so they are ready to be put into service.

CLEANING THE TUBING
The tubing may get algae or a slime buildup over an extended period of time.
Preventative Measures: The TUBES SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY FLUSHED in spring before being put into operation. Pull and stretch the brown silicone tubing between pinched fingers, this loosens the deposits, allowing them to be flushed out.
Distributor Drippers: If algae or lime deposits are present, soak the drippers in vinegar.
Clean During Operation: Turn the adjusting screw completely open, then open each dripper individually while under pressure (remove screw). The cleaned dripper without screw should spray an even stream of water. If necessary, clean the tubing in-between the drippers by stretching. Turn the screw 1-2 times completely in and out in order to clean the threading where the water comes out.

Questions and Answers
WHAT IF. . .?

The ceramic cone runs out of water?
PROBLEM: Air has entered the cone; the cone is not screwed together properly; the dripper hose is bent; poor contact with the ground; water is not being fed into the line; roots have grown into the drip tubes.
SOLUTION: Check for air bubbles (small bubbles 1/8" / 2 mm the unit is still okay, larger bubbles will need to be let out). Fill a bucket with water. Place the sensor under the water and unscrew the dark green top. Tilt the top and the ceramic cone so that the air bubbles escape. Screw the top back onto the Blumat while still under water. Reinstall into the soil / soilless mix.

The area being watered is too dry?
PROBLEM: Adjusting screw closed too much.
SOLUTION: Turn adjusting screw slightly to the left (about 1 dial marking), the drip tube should begin to drip slowly.
PROBLEM: The dripper hose is too short, water is flowing to the ceramic cone too quickly. SOLUTION: Use an 8 cm (3") dripper hose, only 3" past the brown knob.
Distributor Drippers: Distance between drippers should be 15 cm (6") maximum. If necessary, turn sensor slightly so that the dripper is dripping onto a drier spot. You can also move the first dripper away from the sensor. Usually this dripper is between 4-6 cm (2-3") from the dark green top. The closer it is to the Blumat the sooner the Blumat will shut off.

The Tropf Blumat does not stop watering?
PROBLEM: The membrane is not tense enough (after cold nights).
SOLUTION: This usually corrects itself when the temperature rises during the day. If not, turn the adjusting screw 1/2 turn to the right (clockwise).
PROBLEM: Adjusting screw has been opened too much.
SOLUTION: Turn adjusting screw carefully clockwise. Only 1/2 dial marking, not too much, otherwise the opposite effect will result.
PROBLEM: Watered too long; water dispersed too slowly; drip tube too long.
SOLUTION: Shorten drip tube by loosening the adjusting screw and pulling the drip line back so the open end is closer to the dark green cap. Readjust the Blumat until the drip just hangs and close the adjustment screw 2 arrows. More distributor drippers generally result in more moisture (minimum distance between drippers 15 cm (6"); if necessary reduce the number of distributor drippers or go without them entirely.

I DON'T SEE IT WATERING
Do not be fooled when the ground's surface is dry. Water spreads under the ground in the shape of an onion; USUALLY ONLY THE SURFACE DIRECTLY UNDER THE DISTRIBUTOR DRIPPER WILL BE VISIBLY MOIST. If the ground dries up at this spot, either the setting screw should be opened or the ceramic cone is empty.

END OF THE SEASON MAINTENANCE
Outdoors: Remove the Tropf Blumat from the feedline. Wash the outside off with tap water. Remove the top and rinse with tap water. Shake dry and store indoors. The pressure reducer should be stored indoors also. Feedlines may be left outside in the garden.