Hey everyone! Today, I’m going to show you how I set up the Mars Hydro hydroponic system and got it up and running.
Start by connecting the light hood and base with the post.
The light post has pins on both ends to attach the base and LEDs. First, insert the upper end of the post into the light hood. Then, detach the bowl from the base and insert the lower end of the post into the base. Once that’s done, place the bowl back onto the base. Finally, position the light hood at its lowest setting.
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Next, let’s plug the T-sprinkler into the pump.
The pump comes with a T-sprinkler that improves water oxygenation. It’s packaged separately in a plastic bag. Remove the T-sprinkler from the bag and securely connect it to the pump.
Now it’s time to fill the tank with water.
Take a bowl and add 6 liters of water. Use the measuring scale on the front of the bowl to check the water level. I typically use ordinary tap water, but if your water has a high pH, consider adding a pH reducing agent. You can use distilled or bottled water, but make sure to check and adjust the pH level to be between 5.5 and 6.5.
Let’s move on to adding plant food.
This hydroponic system comes with concentrated plant food that needs to be diluted in water. Empty the contents of bag A into the bottle labeled A and do the same for bag B into the bottle marked B. Then, fill each bottle with water, leaving some space at the top.
Tighten the caps securely and give the bottles a good shake. Let them sit for a few minutes and shake again. Your plant food mixture is now ready. Pour two caps (30 ml) of plant food from each bottle into a bowl to use.
Now, place the seeds in the sponges.
The Mars Hydro hydroponic system provides unseeded sponges, so you’ll need to get your own seeds. I recommend putting 2-3 seeds in each sponge and then placing the sponges into the baskets. Unfortunately, the kit doesn’t include stickers to prevent algae growth on the sponges, but you can purchase them separately or use foil to create a similar barrier.
Next, position the seed pods in the holes.
Put the baskets containing the sponges into the designated slots on the deck. If you’re not using all the slots, distribute the baskets evenly to maximize space between them. Remember to cover any unused slots with lids. After placing the seed pods, cover them with the provided grow domes. Once the sprouts start to emerge, you can remove the domes.
Now, let’s plug in the power and configure the system.
First, connect the cable from the power adapter to the base, and then plug the power adapter into the power socket. This will activate the LEDs and indicators on the control panel, causing them to light up. Next, select the appropriate number of hours for your plants’ lighting needs. Start with 8 hours initially, and when the seedlings begin to sprout, increase it to 16 hours. Also, choose a light mode suitable for your specific plants.
That’s it for the setup! I wish you success in your hydroponic endeavors. Best of luck!