grow cycle | 10 things about nutrient reservoirs
LOCATION
If the design of your system doesn ’ t require a specific tank placement , the first inclination is to place the reservoir as close to the action as possible , but that ’ s not always the best choice . Where you put your reservoir can have an impact on how maintenance-intensive or headache-free its operations are . Once in place , the reservoir and its pipes , snaking hoses , and accessories can be difficult to dismantle and move , so a little forethought is worth the effort . Here are a few examples : If the reservoir is too close to your hot lights , then temperature fluctuations and algae can quickly become maintenance issues . The former may require the addition of an expensive chiller , while the latter can cause blockages and other headaches . Hotter water holds less dissolved oxygen , too . If the reservoir is too far from a water source or drain , you may find yourself in the unenviable position of having to drag hoses or carry buckets around on a regular basis . If the reservoir is placed too close to an uninsulated wall or concrete floor where temperatures plummet in winter , your mixture may fall below the optimum temperature range of 68-72 ° F and require the addition of a dedicated immersible or aquarium-style heater . Also , if you ’ re planning to add automation equipment , easy access to adequate electrical service is important , too .
‘ Adequate ’ is an important word here . Remember , a single circuit , often spread over a number of outlets , can only take so much current before flipping a breaker or blowing a fuse . Check your electrical box . For quick reference , a 15A circuit can handle up to 1,800W , and a 20A circuit can handle 2,400W .
TOOLS
You may be familiar with the manual testing tools you ’ ll need to maintain viable nutrient in your reservoir , including meters that test for temperature , pH , and TDS / PPM / EC . If your system isn ’ t automated , no meter or tool can earn its keep if you don ’ t use it regularly . To this end , multi-function or three- ( four , five , or six ) -in-one tools are widely considered the way to go . They save time and effort , and may even store previous readings for easy review and notation later . If possible , look for equipment that can be calibrated manually . This helps keep tools accurate over time and reduces the chance of equipment or operator error .
AERATION
Dissolved oxygen in water is important for plant health . One way to achieve this in a nutrient tank is to continuously aerate the mixture . In recent years , the advantages of making adequate and even extra oxygen available to plant roots has been brought into sharper focus through the growing popularity
“ WHERE you put your reservoir can have an impact on how maintenance-intensive or headache-free its operations are .”
96 Maximum Yield USA | February 2017