ZipGrow

Green Wall
Manual
www.zipgrow.com
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table of contents
Tools Required For Assembly
Components List
Structural Assembly
Irrigation Assembly
Planting ZipGrow Towers
Green Wall Placement
Green Wall Mounting
Adding Nutrients
Adding Nutrients to Top-off Tank
Troubleshooting
About Bright Agrotech

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Tools required for assembly

Clear PVC Cement

Phillips Screwdriver
3/8 Open Ended Wrench
Wire Cutters or Scissors
(to trim zip ties)

Mounting Tools (optional)

Drill
Stud Finder

Parts list-photos
Structural Components

5x5 PVC Top Gutter

& Bottom Gutter

3/4x3/4
Aluminum Supports

Top Gutter
Pyramid Caps

Bottom Gutter
End Caps

PVC Bow Tie

Supports

1 Diameter PVC
Note: green wall comes with one 1
diameter PVC tube cut to length.

Structural Hardware

1 Phill.Truss Screw

1/4 Lock Washers

1/4 Hex Nuts

Parts list-photos
Irrigation Components

Pump With
4 Fuel Line Attached

x2 1/2 Diameter
Black Poly Tubing

Note: above shows the top poly

1/2 Diameter 90
Elbow Joint

piece with drippers attached.

Labyrinth Flow Fittings

Note: these will come pre-installed in the
poly tubing

1/4 Diameter Fuel Line

4 Matrix Media
(Pump Filter Replacement) Note: 1/4 fuel line comes attached to
pump

Mounting Components

Aluminum Mounting
Clips

Aluminum Mounting
Channel

1/4 Lock Washers

1/4 Nuts

Hex Tap Bolts

components list: 4 tower green wall

Structural Components

1 5x5 PVC Top Gutter

1 5x5 PVC Bottom Gutter
4 3/4x3/4 Aluminum Supports
2 5x5 Top Gutter Pyramid Caps
2 5x5 Bottom Gutter End Caps
2 PVC Bow Tie Supports
1 1 Diameter PVC Tube

Structural Hardware

_8 5/16x3/16x1/16 O-Rings
16 1/4 Hex Nuts
16 1/4 Lock Washers
16 1 Phill.Truss Screw

Irrigation Components

1 AG-400 12V Water Pump

1 1/2 Diameter Black Polyethylene
Tubing
1 1/4 Diameter Fuel Line
1 1/2 Diameter 90 Elbow Joint
4 Labyrinth Flow Fittings
1 4 Matrix Media
(pump filter replacement)

Mounting Components

3 Aluminum Mounting Clips

3 Aluminum Mounting Channel
9 Hex Tap Bolts
9 Lock Washers
9 Nuts

components list: 8 tower green wall

Structural Components

1 5x5 PVC Top Gutter

1 5x5 PVC Bottom Gutter
4 3/4x3/4 Aluminum Supports
2 5x5 Top Gutter Pyramid Caps
2 5x5 Bottom Gutter End Caps
3 PVC Bow Tie Supports
1 1 Diameter PVC Tube

Structural Hardware

_8 5/16x3/16x1/16 O-Rings
16 1/4 Hex Nuts
16 1/4 Lock Washers
16 1 Phill.Truss Screw

Irrigation Components

1 AG-400 12V Water Pump

1 1/2 Diameter Black Polyethylene
Tubing
1 1/4 Diameter Fuel Line
1 1/2 Diameter 90 Elbow Joint
8 Labyrinth Flow Fittings
1 4 Matrix Media
(pump filter replacement)

Mounting Components

3 Aluminum Mounting Clips

3 Aluminum Mounting Channel
9 Hex Tap Bolts
9 Lock Washers
9 Nuts

Structural assembly
The first step in the assembly process is differentiating the top gutter from the
bottom gutter. The top gutter will be drilled with 6 (or more) pairs of small holes.
Top Gutter
Bottom Gutter

To begin assembling the bottom gutter place the bow ties within the gutter. The
bow ties will rest on the inside of the aluminum supports. Place the bow ties inside the bottom gutter and slide the PVC pipe through the bow ties.

Bow ties should be oriented so the hole sits higher off the ground.

Structural assembly
Insert the 4 aluminum supports into the square holes of the bottom gutter. The predrilled screw holes in the aluminum will line up with the pre-drilled screw holes in
the gutter.

Secure the aluminum support to the bottom gutter using 8 of the Phill Truss Screws
with O-rings. The O-rings are placed on the outside of the gutter, and the washers
are placed between the nut and the aluminum support. Tighten the nuts until plastic rests against the aluminum supports tightly.

Structural assembly
Place the top gutter onto the four aluminum supports. Make sure the mounting
holes on the top and bottom gutter face the same direction.

When mounting holes are correctly aligned, the irrigation holes on the top and
bottom gutters will also be aligned *(see bottom photo). Assemble the top gutter to
the aluminum supports in the same manner as the bottom gutter was assembled
(install the washer and nuts inside top gutter). The top gutter will not require rubber
O-rings.

Click here to watch the video

tutorial for structural assembly

Irrigation assembly
Place the pump in the bottom gutter, on
the same side as the irrigation hole, and
resting inside the bowtie. Attach the poly
tubing to the fuel line on the pump by inserting the poly tubing through the irrigation hole. Thread the pumps power cord
through the irrigation hole as well.

Note: Pump and Matrix Media come assembled, but your green wall comes with
a 4 piece of media for filter replacement.

Pump goes here

Seal the end caps onto the bottom gutter

using PVC cement. To prevent leaking fill
the groove of the end caps with an adequate amount of PVC cement (approx. 1/2
full around the entire groove). Then secure the end caps to the the bottom gutter
so the edge of each gutter rests inside the
groove of each end cap. Let PVC cement
dry completely.

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Irrigation assembly
Slide the remaining piece of poly tubing (A) (the one with the drippers attached)
through the top gutter.
Horizontal poly(A)

Attach to
vertical poly(C)

Fold this end(B)

Vertical poly

The drippers should be roughly centered over the square tower hole and the poly
tubing should extend 2 or more inches out from the end of the gutter. This end
will be folded shut when horizontal poly is zip tied to top gutter.(B)
Connect the 2 pieces of poly tubing using the 90 barbed elbow joint.(C)

Note: To aid tube fitting you can soak the ends of the poly tubing in hot water or hot
soapy water for several seconds. Do not use antibacterial soap.

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Irrigation assembly
Secure poly tubing to the top of the gutter by threading the zip ties through
the pre-drilled holes as marked.

Fold the open end of poly tubing over and

zip tie it closed.

Place and push in pyramid caps to secure,

no gluing required.

Click here to watch the video

tutorial for irrigation assembly.

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Planting zipgrow towers

Your ZipGrow Green Wall is completely assembled
Its time to plant your ZipGrow towers and start growing!

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Green Wall Placement

When placing the ZipGrow Green Wall there are three major considerations:
Lighting
Place green walls in a location that receives adequate light for the crops that you
are culturing. If growing in the northern hemisphere, a south-facing wall is ideal to
access the maximum amount of sunlight.
Accessibility to water
It is recommend to place green wall near a spigot or sink. This will make it easy to
add water to your green wall as your crops mature.
Structural support
When mounting the ZipGrow Green Wall onto a wall, be sure to anchor the mounting channel into a structurally sound surface. Only attach the mounting channel to
studs, brick, or cement.
*Drywall alone will not support a ZipGrow Green Wall kit*

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Green Wall mounting

The ZipGrow Green Wall can weigh over one hundred pounds if crops are full
grown and it has several top-off tanks. Make sure that the mounting rail pieces are
firmly fastened to brick, masonry, or studs within the wall. If you have not mounted
similar equipment before, please consult a professional.

The mounting channel is shaped asymmetrically with a profile of a question mark.

It will provide a 1 gap between the wall and the green wall. The channel holes on
the top gutter should be 23 1/4 apart on the 8 tower green wall 12 1/4 apart on the
4 tower green wall. There are 2 sets of 3 screw holes on the back of the top gutter,
and one set of 3 screw holes on the back of the bottom gutter.

Fasten the included 3-hole clips using 1/4 nuts and bolts, so that the portion of the
clip with the holes is flush against surface of the bottom gutter and top gutter (see
photo below).
Click here to watch the video
tutorial for mounting.

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Green Wall mounting

The distance between the top and bottom gutter mounting holes will be 61 3/4
for the 5 green wall and 37 3/4 for the 3 green wall.
Channel mounting for 3 green wall

37 3/4

Channel mounting for 5 green wall

Channel mounts

61 3/4

Channel mounts

For masonry, this may require strike anchors or other bolt type anchors. For
wooden walls, use a stud finder to locate and mount your wall into the studs.
Mount the channel so they correspond with the 3-hole clips mounted on the back
of the green wall - both on the top and bottom gutters. Once the mounting channels are anchored into place, lift the empty green wall and place it on the mounting channel with the 3-hole clips sliding over the mounting channel at all 3 points.

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adding nutrients
Fill bottom gutter to the top of the PVC tube with nutrient solution. Always be sure
to follow the dosing and mixing instructions included with the fertilizer mix. Depending on crop size, intensity of lighting, and outside temperature, the green wall
may need to be refilled several times per week.
Liquid or dry nutrients can be added to system. If you are running a small system(less than 8 towers), liquid nutrients will be more convenient.
ZipGrow Green Walls come with an 8oz bottle of Dyna-Grow liquid fertilizer. More
information on Dyna-Gro product content, associated hazards and personal protection requirements (MSDS) is
available online at www.Dyna-gro.com,
or by calling 800-396-2476.
Be sure to read and follow the directions
of the fertilizer. For additional information on choosing a nutrient mix, read our
blog post on the topic.
Additional solution can be purchased at
shop.brightagrotech.com

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adding nutrients to Top-off tank

Tower Top-off Tank
Its recommended to keep a Tower Top-off Tank or a stock of mixed solution on
hand to make refilling a quick and easy process. Tower Top-off Tanks decrease
the frequency of refilling the green wall(s). The height of the Tower Top-off Tank
determines the volume of solution the tank can hold.
Tower Top-off Tank size (ft)
3
5

Volume (gal)
2 gal
3.5 gal

Tower Top-Off Tank Instructions

Fill tower with water
Add appropriate amount of fertilizer
Replace rubber stopper (be sure it seals or the tower will not operate correctly)
(Fig. A)
Place Tower Top-off Tank into ZipGrow Green Wall
Turn valve to open (parallel to the tower) to turn on. (Fig. B)

Figure A

Figure B

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Troubleshooting
Deficiencies
If plants begin to show signs of deficiency (yellowing or browning on the leaves
are the two most common symptoms), it is likely that the plants are not receiving
the proper nutrient dosage. Re-read the fertilizer instructions and refill ZipGrow
Green Wall with the proper concentration.
If a deficiency persists more than three weeks, use the Nutrient Deficiency Key
to identify the deficiency and treat it as recommended on the Vertical Food Blog.
Pests
The occurrence of pests will vary depending on the placement of the ZipGrow
Green Wall, climate, other plants in the area, and many additional factors.
More can read about the top insect pests in this blog post.
Soft Water
Do not use softened water in ZipGrow
Green Walls. Water softeners add sodium,
which can often kill plants and clog up the
irrigation of the green wall.

If you have trouble finding any information,

email us at info@brightagrotech.com.

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About Bright Agrotech

Unlike a lot of gloom and doomers, were very optimistic about the direction world agriculture is headed.
Multi-national news focuses on huge monoculture farming operations and the drought and despair they
are experiencing as of late. While they focus on the negative, we look positively towards the future.
We focus on the small, Upstart Farmers. The ones creating a real impact, no matter
how small it may seem. These are the folks figuring out the new food model and learning better ways to feed those around them.
While the media likes to pander to the fearful and freaked out, we try to share stories
of innovation, hope, and small-scale successes.
Its important to remember that change usually doesnt take place (i.e. almost never) on a large scale.
Change and innovation come from the bottom. From the guy tinkering in his garage. From the chef
growing greens in her kitchen. From the unconventional farmer growing incredibly fresh herbs on his
apartment buildings roof.
These relatively non traditional farmers and innovators may be small today, but theyll be the ones feeding us tomorrow. At Bright, were committed to educating, equipping and empowering these farmers of
the future.

the bright team

Bright Agrotech is composed of a rapidly growing group

of incredibly hard working, passionate individuals committed to empowering the farmers of tomorrow.
Our ZipGrowTM vertical farming/gardening towers help
small hobbyist growers and commercial producers everywhere see maximum yields and economic profit.
We want to help farmers live better, increase their margins, and give their consumer the most quality produce
possible.

Listen to our story here.

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