Cleaning Hydroponics Systems
Sanitation for Hydroponics Success-Easy!
Cleaning Hydroponics Systems. How-To Clean An EZ Clone System, Step By Step.
Cleaning hydroponics systems doesn’t have to take a lot of time or effort. In fact, one of the advantages to growing hydroponic crops versus soil or soilless growing methods indoors with grow lights or in greenhouses, is that crops can be harvested and replanted in the same day with a little bit of planning and know-how. Proper cleaning of the hydroponic, DWC or aeroponic system is also important help reduce any risk that any old root debris or pathogens that could be left over from the previous crop don’t get transplanted into your fresh crop.
Cutting or clones that are getting rooted to become new plants are especially susceptible to infections during the rooting process-it is a form of surgical recovery, after all. So you’ll want to pay extra attention when it comes to aeroponics, making the following example of how to do it right from EZ Clone, the experts in plant cloning, a very worthwhile article to share here. Edited and Reproduced with permission from EZ Clone.
[youtube width=”560″ height=”315″ video_id=”gOthz9srozs”]
Above: Five minutes of your time could be a big help for producing future crops. The principles here apply to ALL types of hydro systems when it comes to cleaning. Watch and learn.
Can’t see the Youtube Vid above? Click | HERE |
HOW TO: PROPERLY CLEANING YOUR EZ-CLONE
Not getting 100% success with your EZ-CLONE Plant Cloning System? Cleanliness maybe the culprit. The biggest factor that can dictate whether or not you will have a successful cloning cycle is the cleanness of your system. A clean aeroponic system is a happy system. Be sure and keep it green by thoroughly cleaning between your cloning cycles.
Poor cleaning practices can lead to –
- Bacterial contamination
- Pathogen infestation
- Slime. Looks like a grey snot!
- Rotting translucent stems
- Stems breaking directly below the cloning collar
- Unsatisfactory results
- Frustration
Learn from EZ-CLONE how to properly clean and sterilize your EZ-CLONE Plant Cloning System.
Avoid common cleaning pitfalls and improve your cutting success rate.
The most common overlooked step during the cleaning process is the removal of the EZ-CLONE 360º Red Misters from your manifold.
Failing to do so can quickly lead to SMS or sick manifold syndrome. SMS is when gunk remains trapped in your manifold leading to whole system contamination cycle after cycle. Avoid SMS and bacterial problems be removing the red misters and blowing any trapped gunk that may have built up out of your manifold!
Another commonly overlooked area during the cleaning process is the drain plug.
The drain plug consists of two rubber washers, the drain plug adaptor, white guide nut and a hose cap. Make note that one rubber washer goes on the inside of your reservoir while the other remains outside. Completely disassemble your drain plug between cycles and scrub with your scotch pad. Once everything has been sterilized and wiped clean, reassemble the drain plug and be sure to check that it is tight.
Remember it is never advised to clone in a continuous cycle.
Take the desired number of cuttings and start your cycle, once your cycle is complete, clean and sterilize. Running a perpetual cloning cycle, meaning removing a rooted cutting and replace with a new cuttings mid cycle, can lead to bacterial problems resulting in SMS and potentially a cloning cycle failure. Thorough cleaning and the use of EZ-CLONE Clear Rez at the recommended rate is your best bet to improve your next cloning cycle. Check out the video and look for areas to improve your current cleaning practices.
Items Required For Cleaning –
- Access to fresh water
- Bleach
- Scotch Pad
- 360º Mister cleaning tool (toothpick, toothbrush, compressed all work well)
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