Hose & Reels
Can the MOTOReel auto rewind hose reel handle uneven or rough surfaces?
Yes, the auto rewind function is not affected by hilly or rocky surfaces. The smooth, steady action of the rewind function works well in all types of gardens and on a range of surfaces (pebbles, rocks, pumice). While it’s not necessary, it’s always advisable to pull the hose out in as straight a line as possible, and to place the hose nozzle or sprayer near the hose reel unit.
Does my hose reel require a special hose or attachment to the faucet?
No, the MOTOReels work with standard outdoor faucets and garden hoses of 1/2″ (12.5 mm) or 3/4″ ( 18 mm) in diameter. It is highly recommended to use VINYL garden hoses for best performance.
Does the hose reel work with rubber garden hoses?
Yes, but as the diameter of the rubber hose is usually larger than that of a regular vinyl hose, there may be a negative effect on the capacity of the hose reel. Pulling out and rewinding a new rubber hose a few times will improve the holding capacity of the hose reel.
How do I install a MOTOReel auto rewind hose reel?
Detailed instruction manuals for each model can be found in the "Hose Reel" section of this website.
My hose reel is leaking; what should I do?
-Make sure connectors are tightly and correctly attached.
-Make sure no rubber washers are missing in any of the connectors.
My hose reel is not rewinding; what should I do?
-Ensure tap is open.
-Make sure handle is in the full “REWIND” position.
-Make sure there are no obstacles stopping the garden hose.
-Check that water pressure is not exceptionally low (you can consult the local utility company, or, if you have the means to measure- the minimum pressure should not be lower than 35 psi/ 2.5 bars).
-Make sure water flow in the exit hose is not hindered (e.g. by kinked hoses).
-After all of the above have been checked, put handle in REST position, pull garden hose approx. 3′ / 1m, and restart your hose reel.
My hose reel is rewinding very slowly; what should I do?
-Make sure tap is fully opened.
-Make sure Handle is in full REWIND position.
-Make sure leader hose and exit hose are not twisted.
The exit hose is too short for my use. Can I replace it?
Yes, you can replace the exit hose with any same diameter garden hose, of the length that you need.
What if my hose is very difficult to pull out or is stuck inside the reel?
-Make sure handle is in REST and not REWIND position.
-Make sure the exit hose is not twisted or blocked.
-Open door and ensure that hose is not twisted or otherwise hinders drum motion in any way. If this was the reason, and seems to be a recurring problem, then it may be advisable to pull out the entire hose, release any kinks, and repeat initial watering hose connection process.
What is the range of water pressures that is adequate for the MOTOReel automatic hose reels?
The range is 40PSI minimum (2.5 bars/ atmospheres) to 150 PSI maximum (10 bars/ atmospheres).
When I unpacked my MOTOReel automatic hose reel, I noticed a small amount of water in the box. Why?
All units are tested in the manufacturing plant (100% QA). As a result, a small amount of residual water is left in the unit (up to 1/4 cup).
Where can I obtain spare parts?
Please refer to the spare parts section on the website, where spare parts are shown for each of the models. Once you know what parts you would like to order, contact your Maze or your local distributor.
While watering, I get low watering stream/ flow; what should I do?
-Make sure handle is in full REST position.
-Make sure garden hose is not twisted inside or outside the hose reel. NOTE that low quality hoses may get kinked or squeezed more easily during the rewinding process, which will affect the outcoming flow rate while watering.
-Make sure tap is fully opened.
Why is the hose stop needed?
The hose stop is there just in case you forget to stop the operation on time. It ensures that the end of the hose remains neatly outside the reel and is ready to use again.
Will the MOTOReel hose reel damage my garden hose?
No, the reels rewinds and sort your garden hose without causing any damage or stress.
Is the hose included, and do the hose reels need a special water hose ?
All the hose reels are supplied with the inlet hose (tap hose) and the exit hose. The watering hose is not included in all the models, any standard vinyl hose can be used – no special hose is required.
Water Tanks
Under construction
Composting
How does the system work?
The Bokashi bucket uses beneficial microbes to FERMENT organic waste, rather than compost it. The end result is a fermented (or pickled) mass of waste which can go straight into the soil. There’s no need to compost the material, AND it doesn’t smell!
How much Bokashi do I use?
Just a light sprinkle over the top of the waste in the bucket. As long as the surface area is covered, that is enough. The 1 kg tub of Bokashi should last the average household about 3 – 4 weeks.
Are the beneficial microbes safe?
Absolutely. The microbes used in Eco Bokashi are organically certified by both NASAA and the BFA. The types of microbes used are those already found in many types of food, including cheeses, wines and yoghurts, and all produced right here in Australia.
How long will it take to fill the bucket?
Most households will take about 3 to 4 weeks to fill the bucket, after which time the contents should be fully fermented.
How much does it cost to run?
Refill packs of Bokashi cost $17.95 per 5lt which should last the average household about 3 months. So this works out at around $1.50 per week to run, which is a very economical way of obtaining 18 kg of totally natural fertiliser every 3-4 weeks!
What can I do with the material when the bucket is full?
There are a number of things you can do. First, you can bury the contents of the bucket directly into your garden. Just cover it up with soil or mulch, and in 2-3 weeks, it will have broken down into rich fertiliser for the soil. Then, when the bucket is full again, you can do the same thing in a different part of the garden. Alternatively, you can place the contents into your worm farm (but be sure to give them small amounts first so they get used to it) or directly into an outside compost bin.
Is fermenting better than compost?
Compost is a very good source of nutrients for your garden, but because of the composting process, much of the goodness is lost. Fermented waste, however, retains all of the energy (no heat loss) and most of the nutrients in the waste, so that all of this material is available to your plants. Also, fermented waste has the bonus of providing beneficial microbes to your garden, and this will over time produce amazing results.
Is fermenting good for the environment?
Fermenting waste is far, far better than composting. Greenhouse gas emissions are greatly reduced during fermentation, there are no insect or rodent problems, and the end product is extremely valuable as a soil conditioner and fertiliser. Also, the process retains all the energy (not released to the atmosphere) and all the water is retained and not evaporated.
How often do I need to add Bokashi?
Usually about once per day, but less often if you are not adding waste to the bucket.
What if the bucket starts to smell?
Check that the lid is being replaced tightly, and that you have covered the surface area of the waste with Bokashi. Also, make sure the water is drained off in the tap. Finally, make sure that the waste has been compacted down with a masher or similar, to ensure there are no air pockets. If the waste is too smelly, simply empty the waste into your garden, rinse the bucket in water (no detergent) and start again.
Do I need to wash the bucket when I empty it?
Yes, but just with fresh water. Do not use soap or detergents, as these will kill the microbes. Remember to line the bucket with a thin layer of Bokashi before you start adding waste.
How often should I drain the liquid?
Every three days or so, or more if you are getting a lot of drain off.
What can I do with the liquid?
This liquid is teeming with microbes and nutrients! You can dilute it and use this directly on your garden or pot plants: dilute 1:1000 for foliar spray or 1:100 for lawns and garden beds. Or, if you have a septic system, you can add the liquid undiluted to the toilet or septic tank. The microbes will work to make the septic system more efficient. Or, you can simply tip it down the sink – the microbes will go to work on your drains and keep them clean.
How much liquid will I get from the bucket?
The amount of liquid that you get will be totally dependent on the type of waste you have put in - lots of fruit will produce lots of liquid, but if you have lots of cooked food, vegetables etc, then you'll get less. The amount of liquid you get is not an indicator of whether the system is working, and you won't get any more (or less) liquid by increasing (or decreasing) the amount of Bokashi you add.
What if I go on holidays?
Simply drain the liquid from the bucket, make sure there is a cover of Bokashi on the waste, and that the lid is firmly sealed. Then forget about it! While you are gone, the microbes will keep the waste odour free.
What can I put in the bucket?
Any type of organic matter produced in the kitchen. So this means you can add vegetable scraps, tea leaves, tea bags, small amounts of paper, coffee grounds, even onions, citrus and garlic, even meat scraps.
What shouldn't I put in the bucket?
Do not put dog or cat faeces in the Bokashi bucket as these are a human health risk.
How do I know if it’s working?
The only test on whether the system is working is the absence of the rotting odour. If there is no such odour, then the fermenting bugs must be doing their job in fermenting the waste. Normally, waste left in a bucket will go foul within a day or two, and if this is not happening then you are doing everything right.
The waste hasn’t broken down in the bucket. What’s wrong?
The Bokashi bucket will NOT decompose the material while the material is in the bucket - it will only ferment (or pickle) it. If you can imagine a pickled onion - it will still look like an onion, but because it's pickled, it will have changed its internal structure. The single criterion to determine if the process is working is the odour - if there's no rotting odour, then the fermentation process is working. The physical decomposition into humus only occurs once the fermented material goes into the soil. Here, it breaks down very quickly because the material has been pre-conditioned (i.e. fermented) and should turn into humus/soil within a couple of weeks (varies a bit with soil temperature).
For more information on BOKASHI please contact Eco-organics on 1800 035 007
Greenhouses
Why use a greenhouse?
A greenhouse provides a protected environment for growing plants and control over the interior micro - climate. The controlled conditions in a greenhouse allow you to grow from seed through to germination and crop harvesting with greater speed, protection and length of seasons.
Benefits of greenhouse gardening:
- A warmer environment to extend gardening into cold weather
- Control over interior temperatures, humidity, irrigation
- Increase gardening possibilities and grow plants that normally would not survive in your outdoor environment
- Grow a continuous supply of edible crops that usually would not have success outdoors and out of season
- Make an early start growing plants from seed
- More success with seed propagation in a protected environment
- Plant protection from pests and pets
- Plant and equipment protection from harmful UV, wind, hail and frost
- Enjoy gardening in any weather
- Reduce your water usage with targeted watering and no loss through evaporation
How are Maze Greenhouses different to other greenhouses?
Maze Greenhouses are constructed from strong aluminium frames and crystal clear polycarbonate panels that are virtually unbreakable. Polycarbonate has greater insulation properties than glass, providing more constant temperature and humidity levels. The panels are UV treated, so harmful UV rays are blocked, protecting internal equipment like gardening tools from any damage, whilst still allowing 90% light transmission through to help plants and vegetables thrive.
Climate can be further controlled by opening or closing the vent and / or door. Our Greenhouses are designed to work together with our other product ranges, so you can create a completely sustainable garden. The Greenhouses can be completely customized to suit individual needs with a range of accessories. Innovative designs and materials make them easy to construct, long lasting and enjoyable to use. Once assembled, the Greenhouses are maintenance free.
What is polycarbonate and why is it better than glass?
Polycarbonate is a naturally transparent plastic, with light transmission close to that of glass. It has high impact strength, heat resistance and excellent dimensional and color stability. UV stabilizers added to polycarbonate help protect it from the effects of sun exposure. The main advantage of polycarbonate over other plastics and glass is its unbeatable strength.
How long will the polycarbonate panels last?
Our Greenhouses, including the polycarbonate panels, come with a 5 year warranty. It is 100% UV treated meaning you should enjoy years of use from your Greenhouse without the panels yellowing or cracking.
How do I choose a site for my Greenhouse?
Choose a level, clean site in a low-traffic area. Your Greenhouse should receive the maximum amount of winter sunlight available. Be sure to consider the following:
- Sun's angle changes between summer and winter
- Structures' or tree's shadows cast (don't forget young trees that may shade in the future, also remember that deciduous trees will allow winter sun)
Can I collect rainwater from my Greenhouse?
Maze Greenhouses have inbuilt gutters that collect rain water, with outlets on each corner, water can be easily captured and used in your garden or Greenhouse. Connecting a water tank is easy, Maze has a range of water tanks which are compatible for use with the Greenhouses. They range from 100 – 310 litres and our connector kits allow you to link multiple tanks together so you can store as much water as you need.
How do I control the temperature inside the Greenhouse?
The more sun that is provided, the more heat the Greenhouse will produce and the more ventilation you will need to provide. Place a thermometer in the shade near the middle of your Greenhouse and monitor the temperature at different times during sunny and cloudy weather. Determine which types of plants will suit your Greenhouse conditions and compensate by ventilating.
Adequate ventilation is achieved when air can freely circulate among the plants. Spread your plants evenly throughout the Greenhouse, rather than squashing them all onto one bench, so the air is distributed evenly. Greenhouses overheat easily, you need to have a way to get rid of the excess heat. You can add more vents to your greenhouse as required.
The best way to ventilate your Greenhouse – an automatic vent arm.
The automatic vent arm is a mechanical arm that is uses a wax cylinder to extract and open the vent when it is too hot inside the Greenhouse and ventilation is required. It is especially important in warmer climates.
For extreme summers you may want to remove one or two of the roof panels so that excess heat can escape, this is very easily done by removing the end caps and sliding the panels out. To protect against pests you may want to temporarily drape and fix shade cloth to the frame.
What is the best way to clean my Greenhouse?
Generally you shouldn’t need to clean your Greenhouse on a regular basis as the rain should take care of most of it for you. If you do however need to clean up after birds or trees simply hose it down with your garden hose. Don’t use abrasives or chemicals on your Greenhouse as they will damage the polycarbonate panels.
Do I need to anchor my Greenhouse to the ground?
Use the pegs included to anchor the Greenhouse into the ground if on bare earth or turf. Another option is to build a box frame with timber sleepers, fix the frame to the ground with stakes in each corner and screw the Greenhouse to the treated pine frame.
If on concrete or pavers, bolt the Greenhouse to the ground with dyno bolts (not provided). Anchoring is more important if it is positioned in an open, unprotected area. If positioned near a wall, the Greenhouse will be more secure.
Will my Greenhouse withstand heavy rain, hail and snow?
The polycarbonate panels and aluminium frames are built to withstand strong weather conditions. They have been tested for wind speeds of up to 90km per hour. The polycarbonate panels, unlike glass, will not shatter or crack with heavy impact, making it safe and long lasting.
What tools do I need to set up my Greenhouse?
You’ll need a Phillips head screwdriver, some thick gloves, a 7mm spanner (or small shifter) and a hammer to hit in the pegs upon completion. An assembly tool is provided which is used for the majority of the set up.
How do I get replacement or missing parts?
Contact Maze directly for missing or replacement parts and advice.
What other products can I use with my Greenhouse?
Maze provides a range of Greenhouse accessories you can use to customize your Greenhouse – shelf kit, workbench, shade kit, vent kit, automated vent arm and planter hooks. Other Maze products you can use with your Greenhouse include water tanks, composters and automatic hose reels.
How often do I need to water plants in a Greenhouse?
You only need to water when the soil is dry, be careful not to over-water plants in a greenhouse. Targeted watering and no water loss through evaporation, means you’ll use far less water. You can hand water or use a drip irrigation system, which is effective, gentle on seedlings and prevents leaves from getting too much water on them. Water indoor plants with room temperature water, so as not to injure them. Tap water should stand for a day to get rid of chlorine, this will avoid brown tips developing on plants.
Ensure you have good drainage in pots by lining the bottom with broken clay pots, cracked walnuts, marbles, charcoal or gravel. Clay pots should be soaked in water for a few minutes before using to help prevent the clay from absorbing the moisture in potting soil.
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