Caps x 5
Rooting sponges x 10
Rinse the culture tray,
irrigation tray and clo-
sure caps with water.
Preparation
Insert the jack plug
into the jack socket
which is located on the
base of the main unit.
Stand the main unit
upright.
Note: Stand the main
unit on an even, stable
surface.
Connect to the mains
power supply at the
socket. Check that the
jack plug is securely
connected to the jack
socket.
The lighting setting of 100% provides the opti-
mum conditions for growing your plants. For
this reason we recommend you maintain LED
lighting at 100% whenever possible, i.e. LED not
in dimmed mode.
How to use the 16/8 hour timer
When the LED light is on the 16/8 hour timer can
be switched on by pressing the Timer On/Off
button twice. After the first press the LED light
will turn off then on the second press the LED
Light will turn on again. The unit is now in 16/8
hour timer mode.
To switch the timer mode off press the Power
On/Off switch. The LED light will switch off. Pres-
sing this button again will switch the unit back
on in ‘timer off’ mode.
To check if the timer mode is engaged, press
and hold any of the three buttons for at least
two seconds when the LED light is on. The LED
light will turn off after 2 seconds and in its pla-
ce there will be either a small green lamp or a
small red lamp illuminated in the panel where
the bright LEDs shine from. A GREEN lamp me-
ans the timer mode is ON. A RED lamp means
the timer mode is OFF. The LED light must be
ON to do this test because when the LED light
is OFF (even in timer mode) neither the green or
red lamps will illuminate.
These three simple switches make it easier to
grow plants!
On/Off switch
switch Press once to switch on the LED light or to switch off in
manual mode. About 16 hours of LED light is recommended
for creating optimum growth conditions. Plants also need
their night-time. So we recommend 8 hours of darkness.
Dimmer switch
Press the dimmer switch while the LED light is switched on to
select one of four light levels. Press the dimmer switch repe-
atedly to select light levels of 100% 50% 10% 1.5%. If the light
level is set at 1.5% and the dimmer switch is pressed again
the light level will return to 100%. Use the dimmer switch to
select the required light level for going to sleep, for instance,
or where and when the level of light needs to be reduced.
Timer switch
Press the timer switch to activate the timer. This sets the time
periods for the LED light to 16 hours ON and 8 hours OFF every
day. Press the timer switch while the LED light is on to start
the timer switch. The timer switch cycle will begin immedi-
ately. Press the timer switch while the timer switch mode is
in operation to come out of timer switch mode. (You can also
switch the timer switch off by switching off the power switch).
Press the timer switch again to start the 16/8 hourly cycle. The
16/8 hourly cycle only operates in timer switch mode. timer
switch mode switches on the LED light at 100% light level
only.
What you need
Starting up
Prepare the Akarina 14 for growing plants. What you need:
Top up the water / fertilizer if the water
level falls below the mark.
Note:
Use only tap water.
Not mineral water,
distilled water,
purified water or any
other liquid.
Please purchase the seeds
and liquid fertilizer of your
choice separately (follow
the instructions supplied
with the fertilizer).
One large container of tap wa-
ter, watering can (or PET bottle).
You need a large bowl, watering can (or a 1 litre PET
bottle) and the seeds and liquid fertilizer of your choice
(purchased separately).
Culture tray
Place the irrigation tray in the
main unit. Stand the main unit
on an even, stable surface.
Mix the water with the plant
fertilizer. (Store the remaining
mixture in a dark place for top-
ping up later). Follow the instruc-
tions for use on the purchased
fertilizer.
Pour the water / fertilizer mixture
into the irrigation tray up to the
lower edge of the triangular mark.
1
2
3
Triangular
marking.
Irrigation tray
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Timer switch on/off button
On/Off switch
Dimmer switch
Place the culture tray on
the irrigation tray.
Insert the culture sponge
sufficiently deeply that it
does not protrude above
the edge of the culture tray.
After the seeds have been
planted, check them daily
to see whether they have
germinated.
If you have removed any in-
dividual plants, take out the
sponge place cap over emp-
ty hole.
• Each plant requires its own
ideal temperature.
• Thin out the leaves if they
are growing on top of each
other.
• If you have removed any
plants, also take out the
sponges and place a cap
over the space.
Separate the rooting spon-
ge at the perforations and
soak it in water.
Place one or two seeds in
each rooting sponge. Do
not plant the seeds too
deep.
Remove the closure caps
when the seeds have ger-
minated, and switch on the
LED lighting.
Harvest in about five weeks.
(Varies according to type).
Place the culture sponge
right side up in an indenta-
tion in the culture tray.
Cover the holes with the
closure caps and wait for
the seeds to germinate.
Remove any seeds which
have not germinated or
which are not growing well.
4
7
10
11
12
13
8
9
5
6
14
The control panel
