The Flow Genie System Manual

 

FLOW GENIE SYSTEM™ | Professional User Manual Precision Automated Dosing System for Professional Pond Management

1. Introduction The Flow Genie System™ (by Pond Kinetics) is a laboratory-grade automated dosing controller. It is engineered to provide consistent, accurate delivery of water treatments, eliminating the risks of manual dosing, chemical spikes, and human error. Featuring an intelligent auto-calculating processor, power-cut memory protection, and commercial-grade chemically inert components, your pond ecosystem remains perfectly balanced 24/7.

2. Installation & Safety

2.1 Placement & Weatherproofing While the Flow Genie is built for durability with a solid PETG enclosure, it is not submersible or designed for direct rain exposure.

  • DO: Install in a sheltered, dry location (e.g., inside a filter house, shed, or weather-shielded electrical box).

  • DO NOT: Mount where it is exposed to direct driving rain, high humidity/steam, or standing water.

2.2 Fluid Connections (Chemically Safe) The Flow Genie utilizes 100% chemically inert Polypropylene (PP) bulkhead fittings, ensuring zero heavy-metal leaching (unlike brass fittings) regardless of the chemicals used.

  • Required Placement: For treatments to be effective, the outlet tube must discharge into an area of high water agitation (e.g., a filter chamber, waterfall, or near an air stone).

2.3 Approved Treatments & Warranty

  • DO: Only use liquids and treatments that are certified by Pond Kinetics. The Flow Genie’s internal mathematics and hardware are explicitly calibrated for the viscosity and concentration of our certified formulas.

  • DO NOT: Use unverified third-party chemicals, heavy acids, or thick particulate suspensions. Using uncertified fluids can result in dangerous dosing inaccuracies, premature degradation of the peristaltic tube, and will immediately void your system warranty.

3. First Boot & The Smart Setup Wizard The Flow Genie features an intelligent First-Boot Wizard. You do not need to calculate complex dosing ratios; the machine does it for you based on your total pond volume.

  1. Mounting: Secure the controller and connect your inlet/outlet tubing.

  2. Power On: Connect the 12V DC power adapter. The screen will display the POND KINETICS FLOW GENIE Calibrating... splash screen.

  3. Set Pond Volume: The system will lock into "INITIAL SETUP". Use the UP/DOWN buttons to enter your exact pond volume in Liters. Press ENTER.

  4. Automatic Priming Dose: The screen will calculate the heavy initial "Shock Dose" required for a new pond treatment (based on 250ml per 9000L). Press ENTER to confirm. The pump will immediately deliver this precise shock dose.

  5. Smart Daily Calculation: Behind the scenes, the Flow Genie automatically calculates your precise ongoing daily maintenance dose (based on 80ml per 9000L weekly, divided into daily increments) and saves it to permanent memory.

4. Navigation & Smart Interface The Flow Genie interface is designed for absolute reliability in a commercial environment.

  • OLED Screen Saver: To protect the display glass from burn-in, the screen will turn completely black after 60 seconds of inactivity. Press any button once to wake the screen up.

  • Double-Click Protection: The system requires you to fully release a button before it registers the next action, preventing accidental double-doses or skipped menus.

4.1 The Main Dashboard

  • Time (Top Right): Displays the current time (24h format).

  • Fluid: Estimated milliliters (ml) remaining in your supply bottle. If this drops below 100ml, a flashing !LOW! warning will appear.

  • Next: The programmed hour for the next automatic daily dose.

  • Last: A high-precision timestamp of the most recent successful delivery.

4.2 Editing Settings (Click-to-Edit)

  1. Scroll: Use UP/DOWN to cycle through Menus 1 to 5.

  2. Unlock: Press ENTER on any setting. The screen will display [ENTER] TO SAVE.

  3. Adjust: Use UP/DOWN to change the value.

  4. Save: Press ENTER to lock the new setting into permanent memory.

5. Menus & Operation

  • Menu 1: Set Dose Size. The smart wizard pre-filled this for you, but you can manually override your daily dose amount here if required.

  • Menu 2: Set Auto Hour. Choose the time of day (0-23) the system will automatically dose.

  • Menu 3: Manual Prime. Hold ENTER to run the pump manually. Use this to clear air from the lines when changing tubing.

  • Menu 4: Set Bottle Vol. CRITICAL: When you install a new bottle of certified Pond Kinetics chemical, enter this menu to input the bottle size (e.g., 1000ml). The system uses this to track fluid levels and trigger the low warning.

  • Menu 5: Pump Service. Tracks how many days the pump has been running. When it hits 365 days, a "SERVICE DUE!" warning will flash on the home screen. After performing your annual mechanical service, hold ENTER here for 3 seconds to reset the tracker. (Note: If performing a 5-Year Master Sync Reset, hold ENTER for 8 seconds).

  • Manual Safety Dose: From the Main Dashboard (Menu 0), press ENTER, then press ENTER again to confirm the START DOSE? prompt.

  • Power-Cut Catch-Up Feature: If your property loses power at 9:00 AM, and your auto-dose was scheduled for 10:00 AM, the Flow Genie will remember. When power is restored at 1:00 PM, the system will check its memory, realize it missed the daily dose, and deliver it immediately.

6. Scheduled Maintenance & Service Kits To guarantee accuracy and longevity, the Flow Genie utilizes a two-tier maintenance schedule, tracked automatically by the internal computer.

6.1 The Annual Vitality Kit (12-Month Mechanical Service) Triggered by: "SERVICE DUE!" warning on the main dashboard. Over 12 months, the internal drive tube loses elasticity. Our "Click-and-Go" replacement ensures zero-leak performance.

  1. Depress the clips on the sides of the blue pump head and pull to remove the entire assembly from the motor.

  2. Click the new pre-assembled Pro-Flow Pump Head directly onto the motor shaft.

  3. Reconnect your tubing and run a Manual Prime (Menu 3).

  4. Navigate to Menu 5 and hold ENTER for 3 seconds until the screen flashes "RESET!".

6.2 The Master Overhaul Kit (5-Year Electronic Service) Triggered by: "SYNC BATT LOW! REPLACE MODULE" warning on the main dashboard. The Precision Sync Module ensures your clock stays accurate and settings survive power cuts. After 5 years (1,825 days), the internal power cell depletes.

  1. Unplug the unit from power.

  2. Locate the Velcro-docked module inside the enclosure.

  3. Unplug the white JST connector, click in the new, pre-calibrated module, and re-secure it to the Velcro.

  4. Plug the unit back in, navigate to Menu 5, and hold ENTER for 8 seconds until the screen flashes "SYNC RESET".

7. Troubleshooting

  • Screen is Completely Black: The screen saver is active. Press any button once to wake the system up.

  • Pump Runs but No Fluid: Check for a split in the drive tube, or verify that the inlet PP bulkhead is securely pushed into the silicone tubing with no air leaks.

  • "SYNC BATT LOW" Message: The system has reached its 5-year electronic lifespan. Purchase and install the Master Overhaul Kit.

  • Clock Resets After Power Cut: This indicates the internal battery on the Sync Module has died prematurely or the 5-year service was missed. Replace the Sync Module immediately to restore memory functions.

For Service Kits, Certified Treatments, or Technical Support: www.pondkinetics.co.uk