Siphon tube troubleshooting

The fog tank empties itself whenever the water gets too high: a siphon tube drains the whole tank in one go, the same trick a Pythagoras cup uses. If the siphon tube is kinked, it cannot drain, and you may hear water dripping inside the cabinet. A dripping sound can also come from elsewhere. The steps below take the fog tank out so you can adjust the siphon tube and test that it drains before you put it back.

Put the cabinet into service mode before you open it. Hold the button for 3 to 6 seconds, until it turns purple. Service mode stays active for one hour, which is enough time to work through these checks.

The two M3 screws on the frame take a Torx T10 bit. The smallest tool included with your Vext fits them.

Keep a towel nearby. The plant wall and the fog tank can both spill water when you take them out.

Have a container that holds at least 1 litre nearby. You will use it to test the siphon once the fog tank is out.

Take out the two pod holders at the top of the plant wall, then lift the plant wall up and out of its place.

The plant wall can be wet and drip. Set it down on something that will not be damaged by water and will not scratch the plant wall. Cardboard, paper, or a towel all work.

With the plant wall out, you can reach the fog tank. Find the two M3 screws at the top of the frame.

Hold the fog tank with one hand, then remove both screws. Once the second screw is out, the fog tank is free and can drop, so keep supporting it. The fog tank can be full of water, so hold it level while lowering it down without tipping it. Carefully empty the water before attempting to remove the fog tank from the frame.

Look at the siphon tube on the bottom of the fog tank. It should look like the photo below, with the end that points down sitting as low as it can, without kinks.

Straighten out any kink or fold, and set the end so it points down as low as it can. The lower that end hangs, the better the siphon drains. Check that nothing is pinching the tube against the frame or the tank. A gentle curve is fine. What stops the siphon is a sharp fold that pinches the tube closed.

Test the siphon before you put the fog tank back. Place the fog tank on a level surface, over the container you set aside. Fill the fog tank with water. The siphon should start on its own once the water is almost over the top of the tube, and drain the tank.

If only a weak trickle comes out, or the fog tank does not empty, go back to Step 3. Check for any kink or fold you missed, and that the down end of the tube is as low as it can. Then fill the fog tank and test again.

Hold the fog tank back in position against the frame, lined up with the two screw holes. Tighten both M3 screws in using the same tool as before. As you seat the tank, check that the siphon tube still points straight down with the lowest point against the wall and nothing is pinching it.

Lift the plant wall back into its place, then put the two pod holders back at the top. Press the button once to leave service mode.

The siphon is set, and the cabinet will empty the fog tank on its own whenever the water gets too high.

If the siphon will not drain in a steady stream, or you have another issue, email support@vext.fi and tell us what you found at each step, so we can pick up where you left off.