3 Cleaning Hydroponic System Tips for Beginners

Hydroponic gardening is all fun and ridiculously easy until debris clogs up the pipes and cuts short the life of your plants due to water shortage. Running your hydroponics garden doesn’t end with installation. The innovative way to grow plants without soil can quickly turn into a nightmare and cause a loss on your investment.

There are threats such as the growth of algae or attack by harmful bacteria and clogging of the system due to excess dirt or debris. As a result, hydroponics may have slow growth, low yields, or death due to pest infestations. The cleaner your system is, the healthier your plants will be, that’s why cleaning hydroponic system is nonnegotiable.

This article shares cleaning tips to defeat the threats of dirt, algae, or bacteria from cutting short your harvest. You will learn how to clean hydroponic system using vinegar, bleach, or hydrogen peroxide. Read on.

Also Read: What is the Best Nutrition for Hydroponic Plants?

Why Do I Need To Clean My Hydroponics System?

Regular cleaning of hydroponics system is necessary for healthy plants and high yields. Over time, the system collects debris, organic plant matter, and dirt which may clog the pipes and lead to the growth of harmful pathogens.

Another threat could also be the growth of algae and microorganisms in the nutrient solution which uses up the nutrients, decreases in oxygen, and can cause stunted or wilted plants which eventually die off.

Moreover, if you don’t clean the hydroponic system regularly, the build-up of dead plants can clog the filters and cause reduced water flow. This means that the plants don’t get sufficient nutrients which reduces yield and cause death.

It is also important to flush the system regularly to maintain the PH of the nutrient solution which may cause high toxicity that would harm the plants or cause nutrient deficiencies.

Also Read: 6 Best Hydroponics Systems for Urban Gardening 

How to Clean Hydroponic System

If you are looking for the best way to clean a hydroponic system at home and are on a budget, you’d be surprised that all you need is in your pantry.

There are affordable everyday products available at home such as lemon juice, vinegar, or bleach that you can purchase at your local grocery shop. Let’s look at how to clean hydroponic system with these simple solutions.

1. Cleaning hydroponic system with vinegar

Vinegar is a useful cleaning product for hydroponics that is organic, affordable, and safe for both plants and humans. It works well to dissolve minerals that have accumulated in the system particularly when you use hard water which can clog up valves and nozzles. Furthermore, it can also sanitize the systems and prevent microbial growth.

The only catch is that it is advisable to use after the goring cycle and not when the plants are still growing because the changes in PH can affect the plants.

If you have to clean hydroponic system with vinegar when the plants are still growing, you can rinse and trim the roots, then keep them covered with water in a mason jar until you complete the cleanup and can put them back.

How to clean hydroponic system with vinegar

• Remove the water reservoir first then clean it with soapy water.
• Run the vinegar through the system for about 15 minutes to allow the solution to clean all the tubes. You can use diluted or undiluted vinegar for thorough cleaning of the system.
• Drain. Then rinse with clean water.
• For thorough cleaning disassemble the system and soak the parts in diluted vinegar for a few minutes.

2. Cleaning hydroponic systems hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is one of the best cleaning products for hydroponics. Buy food grade hydrogen peroxide which is free from acetanilide and is safe for plants and human consumption.

It can be used even while the plants are still growing for weekly clean up or during the thorough cleaning after the growing cycle is complete.

How to clean hydroponic system with hydrogen peroxide:

• Wear gloves to protect your hands. Dilute with water because most food grade hydrogen peroxide comes with full strength (35%).
• Run the diluted hydrogen peroxide through the hydroponic system to clean the pipes, filters, drains, and valves.
• If you are doing thorough cleaning. Empty the water reservoir clean with soapy water then rinse.
• Disassemble all the parts of the system like the tubes and clean with hot soapy water.
• Replace the water reservoir and run one water cycle to rinse any hydrogen peroxide remaining in the system.
• You can then restart the system or close it down until the next growing cycle.

3. Cleaning hydroponic system with bleach

Bleach is a very good disinfectant to clean the hydroponics system. Just like vinegar, it can only be used after the growing cycle to clean up the system and not when the plants are growing.

The advantage of using bleach is that it also kills harmful bacteria and microbes and does a good job of sterilizing the system. Use unscented bleaches which is food safe.

How to clean a hydroponics system with bleach

• Dilute the bleach and run it through the hydroponic system in the absence of plants.

FAQs

• What is the best cleaner for hydroponics?

The best cleaner for hydroponics needs to be food grade and work effectively. You can use hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, or bleach mixed with water to flush the hydroponic systems.

• How often do you need to clean a hydroponic system?

It is advisable to clean your hydroponics system once a week for general cleaning and through cleaning after every growing cycle depending on the type of hydroponic system. Cleaning hydroponic system helps to flush out debris and dirt that can cause the growth of harmful bacteria.

• Can I use vinegar to clean hydroponics?

Vinegar is a good cleaner for hydroponics because it flushes out the buildup and cleans the system. You can use it diluted with water once a week to run through the hydroponics system.

• How often should hydroponic water be changed?

Hydroponics water should be changed every two to three weeks. That time range allows you to reuse the water but after that, it needs to be changed.

Final Thoughts

To sum up, cleaning hydroponic system is nonnegotiable for growing safe and healthy hydroponic food free from pathogens. This article has shared how to clean your hydroponic system with readily available ingredients at home. If you want to clean the system while pants are growing, use hydrogen peroxide. However, if you want to do thorough cleaning after a growing cycle then use bleach or vinegar. 

Ensure to monitor the system and do weekly checks to prevent dirt and debris from affecting the growth of your plants. In case you notice your plants are not wilting or moldy or the water is murky, it is time to clean up immediately. Don’t wait until it’s too late!

You May Also Like:

• Is Hydroponics Better Than Soil? Hydroponics vs. Traditional Farming
• What is the Best Nutrition for Hydroponic Plants?
• 6 Best Hydroponics Systems for Urban Gardening 
• How to Transfer Hydroponic Plants to Soil