grow cycle | 10 things about nutrient reservoirs
The nutrient industry does a fine job of offering a wide range of targeted nutrient products . A new batch of nutrient , even with a variety of additives , will likely perform as advertised if prepared properly . So , how do imbalances happen ? Plants utilize individual mineral salts in a nutrient solution in unequal quantities , depending on their needs at the time . Once introduced into the system , the mix is also exposed to environmental factors that can make specific minerals more or less available , including pH fluctuations , media interactions , and temperature variations . Over time , a carefully blended plant food becomes less and less reliable . Beyond testing for the total concentration of dissolved solids in the water , it ’ s hard , if not impossible , to know the composition of the mixture after a few days or weeks . Third party testing labs can help , but their services are expensive . The safest choice is to flush often because this involves the least amount of risk to your plants . Advocates of frequent flushing recommend monthly , bi-weekly , or even weekly schedules , especially for food or medicinal crops like vegetables and herbs that can take up residual mineral salts that may adversely affect their taste or wholesomeness . Frequent flushing of small systems is a good precaution , as adverse fluctuations present more rapidly in small systems than they do in larger ones .
There ’ s merit in taking the safest approach in the beginning , and then experimenting with other options after you ’ ve established a baseline .
MONITORING
How often should you check and test your reservoir and the liquid gold it contains ? Most experts recommend morning or daily checks as a minimum standard . Twice daily checks aren ' t needed too often , especially if you ’ ve made some changes recently , like starting a new crop , making a shift to blooming or fruiting , or using a new nutrient blend . Equipment upgrades or changes call for closer monitoring , too .
CLEANING
A clean reservoir signals a well-maintained system . Keep a tight lid on your nutrient tank to control algae growth and reduce the risk of particulate matter like dust , dirt , and leaves entering the system from above . A tight-fitting lid also limits moisture loss through evaporation . Add strainer socks or bags to keep debris from entering the tank through drain pipes .
After a weekly or periodic flushing , wipe down the tank with a safe cleaning solution like hydrogen peroxide ( H 2O 2 ) or bleach , and check the fittings . This is also a good time to clean the filters , scrub the air stones , rinse any dirty strainer bags , and perform other housekeeping tasks .
RECORD KEEPING
If you ’ ve maintained a hydroponic setup for a while , you know the value of good record keeping . Though every project is a little different , if you ’ re paying attention , you ’ ll begin to recognize patterns , especially if you tend to grow the same plant varieties again and again . Recording your nutrient reservoir test results will help you understand your system better and , over time , make it easier to relate those results to your observations of plant development and behavior . Good records in the form of checklists and detailed notes can be the secret weapon you need to grow prize-worthy plants .
“ MOST experts recommend morning or at least daily checks as a minimum standard .”
100 Maximum Yield USA | February 2017