Beat the Heat
In summer , watch out for root rot , which can occur when water temps rise above 18 ° C . When roots rot ( not to be confused with tinting from some types of nutrients or additives ) they begin to tint and then brown and die off . Pathogens and bad biology are the cause , and they thrive in the warmer water . Typically , water temps run about 10 degrees cooler than room temps , so gauge the health of your hydro system by simply measuring your ambient room temperature . Start with proper growroom heating and cooling . If average temps are above 24 ° C , additional cooling may be needed . Consider adding a water chiller to the reservoir if necessary . To properly thrive using any grow method , environmental control is key . Pathogens can multiply in water and grow mediums when room temps constantly exceed 24 ° C . Keep garden temps between 15-30 ° C , targeting 21-24 ° C .
This will keep water temps in the correct range for roots and plants to grow vigorously , while keeping away the bad biology that causes root rot and negatively affects plants .
“ A couple of simple precautions will prevent would-be disasters in the modern indoor garden .”
Control the Environment
Especially with hydroponics , gardeners see a noticeable difference in growth rate and overall results when environmental factors are well maintained . Ideally , your growroom shouldn ’ t be affected by what season it is outside . In addition to maintaining a comfortable environment , be sure to keep a generally clean room , free of any constant moisture , hot spots , or other undesired microclimates . High summer temperatures can cause problems for any growroom , especially hydro setups where sitting water tends to heat up throughout the day . The water tanks become thermal masses that will help with heating in winter and work against you in the summer . For added cooling , place reservoirs in darker , cooler areas outside of the direct light . If room temps cannot be maintained in the correct range , consider a reservoir chiller or additional air conditioning . Set up the hot exhaust of the A / C unit to blow outside of the growroom . Raise lights further away from the top of the canopy on days that excessive heat cannot be tamed . If root rot still occurs , purchase hydroponic-specific cleaning and preventative products from your favourite grow store and add them to your reservoir . Consider regularly using a minimal amount as a preventative measure . Winters are generally more forgiving for indoor gardeners , just be sure to maintain room temps to avoid slowed growth . Keeping daytime temps above 15 ° C and nighttime temps above 10 ° C should maintain proper growth rates and avoid problems .
Providing these basic essentials of hydroponics will empower indoor growers to achieve maximum yields for minimal effort . Don ’ t be intimidated , as simple hydro methods can be set up with ease . Keep the water and nutrients well aerated and maintain a pH between 5.6 and 6.4 . Again , try to keep ambient room temps in a range between 15-30 ° C . If growing in the correct climate , try hydroponics outdoors as well . Whether indoor or outdoor , be sure to top off warm tanks with cold water to prevent potential problems . Just get growing and enjoy the benefits that hydroponic growing offers . Have fun and happy gardening !
Maximum Yield 29