These are a few of the most frequently asked questions we get.
Q: My Flo-N-Gro won't stop pumping water and the system is flooding?
A: There is a 1/8" siphon hole in the straight fitting that goes into the top of your reservoir. It is just under the top of the lid drilled into the side of the straight fitting. If this hole is covered by the fill hose, the system goes into a constant fill mode and can flood. If you back down the 1/2" tubing and expose the siphon hole, your system will function correctly.
Q: I have 8 Flo-N-Gro GRO sites on a single run and they do not fill evenly before the FILL cycle is completed?
A: The 3/4" tubing can constrict the water and will not fill all the GRO sites evenly if there are too many sites on a single output port . If possible, try to run even numbers of GRO sites on each output port. For instance, run 2 lines of 4 GRO sites or better yet, 4 lines of 2 GRO sites, and you'll find that they will fill more evenly.
Q: My timer does not seem to be working properly, it just keeps blinking?
A: The power plug acts like an ON/OFF switch in this product. Always make sure that your Oceanus 1 is unplugged before setting or adjusting the timer. Set your feeding schedule (3 times daily for Hydroton, 2 times daily for 80% HydroKorral/20% cocoa mix and 1 time daily for Grodan cubes, as suggestions), then set your correct time of day, and then plug your power plug back into a 120 VAC outlet. Oceanus 1 will maintain time and schedule until the power is defeated.
CAUTION: Sulphur vaporization can damage your controller! To protect your controller, it is important to disconnect and cover the Atlas 1 by wrapping with a plastic bag OR remove the controller from the grow area while using sulphur vaporizers in your grow room.
Q: Does my Titan controller need to be calibrated?
A: No, your controller has been factory calibrated and is ready for service when you take it out of the box. Each unit will provide years of use and will maintain its settings without any further changes required. Please contact us at 888-808-4826, if you think that your calibration is not correct and we can help you out.
Q: What is the recommended setting for my Atlas 1 CO2 Monitor/Controller?
A: We have pre-set the part per million (PPM) at 1000 PPM. This should be sufficient to increase the CO2 to the level that will provide positive results for your plants. The industry standard for CO2 enrichment is 1000 PPM to 1500 PPM. We don't recommend that you exceed 1500 PPM due to health considerations. View Atlas 1 Tech Tips.
Q: My CO2 monitor/controller is reading really high all the time. What's wrong with it?
A: We hear this a lot. The main issue is the 2000+ PPM of CO2 we exhale when we're breathing. If you're in your room and you see that the CO2 PPM is high, leave the area for an hour or so and turn off your CO2 source. Then, peek your head in and check the reading. It should be reading under 1000 PPM mattering on how well your growroom is sealed. After observing your CO2 Monitor/Controller for awhile, you'll start to see what your normal PPM level is in your room. The normal outdoor ppm is 400 PPM to 600 PPM based on where you live (city vs. rural).
Q: Should I run my CO2 at night?
A: No, you shouldn't. Plants photosynthesize CO2 only during the daylight hours. At night, the plants expire CO2 and have no use for CO2. So, save yourself some money and only dose CO2 during daylight hours when it does the most good for the plants.
Q: I'd like to control a water cooled CO2 generator with the Atlas 1. How many horsepower (HP) can the Atlas 1 handle?
A: The Atlas 1 can control up to a 1/2 HP pump based on the relay technology that is used in the product.
CAUTION: Most Apollo timers are not for use with digital or electronic ballasts due to the high in-rush current of the ballast. The in-rush current can be from 10 to 40 times the rated amperage for the product and this burns the contacts inside of the timer making it inoperable. We recommend the use of the Apollo 4 120 Volt ballast timer or Apollo 5 240 Volt ballast timer with digital and electronic ballasts.
Q: I'm having problems programming the Apollo 7, what do I do?
A: Push the little recessed button on the right hand side of the timer. You can use either a toothpick or paperclip to easily push the button. After you've done this, the timer is set back to factory condition. You'll need to reset your current time, programs and settings on the timer to make it work correctly.
Q: There is a black dot on the bottom right hand side of the display what does it do?
A: It has no purpose regarding the functionality of the device. It is intended for use at the factory to identify the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) being used in the product.
Q: What is the blinking circle on the front of the display for?
A: It doesn't provide any useful purpose to the timer. This circle is only to test the functionality of the display after manufacturing to determine if the timer is working correctly.
Q: The Apollo 7 doesn't turn on or off on the correct days or at the programmed time?
A: When you are initially programming the device, make sure that you have the days of the week you want the timer "ON" identified across the top of the display. Conversely, verify that you have the days of the week that you want the device 'OFF' noted across the top of the screen. Also, you need to set each 'ON' and 'OFF' time for each program so your equipment will activate and deactivate according to your settings.
Q: My Apollo 11 is in 24 hour (military) time format. How do I change it to 12 hour AM & PM time format?
A: You can change the time formats by pressing and holding the TIME button for 3 seconds. This will change the display to the 12 hour AM/PM time format, and the Apollo 11 will show AM or PM in the corner of the display.
Q: Why is there a '+1h' showing on my display?
A: This shows that the Apollo 11 is set in DAYLIGHT SAVINGS time format. It can be defeated by pressing the TIME button and the right arrow button at the same time for 3 seconds. One hour will be deducted from the current time and the '+1h' will disappear on the display screen.
Q: My Apollo 11 isn't following my 'ON TME' and 'OFF TIME' schedule programming?
A: Push the 'Reset' button and re-program the Apollo 11 in the 'AUTO OFF' setting. You can accomplish this by pressing the 'MANUAL' button and scrolling through the settings until you find the "AUTO OFF' setting. This sets the Apollo 11 to turn 'ON' and 'OFF' your equipment when your grow schedule requires it.
Q: I plugged in the input power cords to two 120 Volt outlets and I can't get the Orion 1 to work?
A: You'll most likely need to use an extension cord (16 gauge minimum) and go from outlet to outlet in your grow area to find two separate phases (phase A and phase B) with your power outlets. You'll know when you've found the separate phases because the amber light on the front of the Orion 1 will illuminate.
Q: I got a 120 Volt circuit tester with my Orion 1. Why?
A: The 120 Volt circuit tester is to verify that your 120 Volt outlets are properly wired and are providing 120 volt power for the Orion 1 to operate correctly.
Q: I'm getting "Er.8" showing alternately with the sensor values on my Atlas 3 LCD display. What does it mean?
A: This is 'Error Code 8' for the Atlas 3. This is a memory corruption problem and all your preferred settings will be reset to the default factory settings. To fix it, re-enter your preferred settings and this should take care of it. If not, give us a call at 888-808-4826 and we'll help you out.
Other Questions
Q: Where are Titan Controls products made?
A: The large majority of these products were fabricated and assembled at our state-of-the-art facility in Vancouver, WA.
Q: Who owns Titan Controls?
A: Titan Controls is a division of Hawthorne Gardening Company, the same company that has been making the industry leading Sun System brand lighting fixtures since 1995.
Q: How does the quality and reliability compare to other brands of controllers on the market?
A: We believe these products to be the best quality, most reliable environmental control products on the market. They are made with very robust, premium grade components to provide years of service. The housings are made on the same high-end sheet metal & powder coating equipment that makes Sun System brand reflectors.
Q: What if I need assistance trouble shooting a Titan Controls product?
A: Call our hotline at 1-888-808-4826 and our Technical Service Representative will assist you.
Q: Are Titan Controls digital or analog controllers?
A: Both! We use digital control boards on most of the controllers, but simplify the use of them by having analog (manual knobs & switches) controls to operate the devices. This eliminates the need to scroll through complicated electronic menus.
Q: Are the Titan Controllers compatible with each other?
A: Yes. They are designed to work together so you expand your system as needed. You may want to start out with controlling your lights and temperature and later you want to add CO2 and humidity control. Titan products will allow this expansion because they were designed from the beginning to be "expandable".
Q: What is the warranty on Titan Controls products?
A: The products warranty period varies based on the product Series. The Professional Series products have a 3 year warranty, the Classic Series products have a 2 year warranty and the Spartan Series products have a 1 year warranty. The warranty period will be in the instruction guide of each product. The warranty applies to the original purchaser only. Proof of purchase is required for warranty work.
Q: What if I need warranty service?
A: Contact us directly at 1-888-808-4826 for assistance!
Q: What if I need repair work done that is not covered under warranty?
A: We can help with that too. Call us at 1-888-808-4826. We charge an hourly service rate + parts and shipping to repair products not covered under warranty.
Q: Why do gardeners enrich their growing space with CO2?
A: CO2 is proven to speed up a plants growth rate, improve overall health and increase a plants yield. There are also many other benefits to plants, among them greater resistance to temperature extremes and other forms of stress, better growth at low light intensities, improved root/top ratios and less injury from air pollutants.
Q: What methods can I use to enrich CO2 in my indoor garden or greenhouse?
A: The two most common methods are using a CO2 generator/burner or bottled CO2.
The most common generator/burner uses LP (liquid propane) gas from a tank. We also sell a NG (natural gas) conversion kit. This allows you to hook up your generator/burner to the natural gas line in your house. The other option is to purchase bottled CO2 from a local supplier in your area and control its release into your garden area using a Titan Controls CO2 controller (Atlas 1) or short cycle repeat cycle timer with photocell.
It should be noted that there is no advantage to increasing CO2 levels beyond 2000 PPM for most greenhouse plants. The optimum level of CO2 for plant growth is generally accepted at 1200 - 1600 PPM.
Q: Where did the product names (i.e. Helios, Atlas, Apollo, Selene, Mercury, Oceanus) for Titan Controls come from ?
A: They are all names of Titan, Greek or Roman god's. In ancient mythology each god had a "purpose". The function of each Titan Controls products corresponds to the "purpose" of a god. For example, Helios was the 'God of Sun'. We felt it fitting to call our lighting controllers Helios because they control your lights, which provide your plants the "sun" that they need to survive and thrive.
Q: Can I use Titan Controls with other manufacturer's equipment?
A: Yes, Titan Controls gear is compatible with all other manufacturer's equipment currently on the market today. It is designed to interface with any equipment that's 120 Volts and uses a standard NEMA 5 plug configuration. Be careful not to exceed the total recommended amperage stated on the controller.
Q: What happens to the 'preferred settings' on my Titan controller if I lose power?
A: Titan Controls digitally based equipment has 'non-volatile' memory storage that allows the unit to retain settings due to a loss of power. The analog product line settings are not affected by a loss of power and will maintain dial settings.
