Prepare for disassembly
Finish harvesting and disconnect equipment from power before taking it apart. Do not lift a pump by its cable. Photograph connections and label tubing if it could be confused during assembly. Use cleaning tools kept separate from food utensils.
Dispose of used nutrient solution according to local rules. Keep open containers of it away from new seedlings. Remove plant debris and any growing medium that your growing plan does not allow you to reuse.
Remove dirt before sanitizing
Take apart accessible pots, lids, tubing and filters. Remove roots, deposits and slime with a suitable brush. Wash surfaces with a product compatible with their material and use, then rinse. For enclosed tubing, follow the equipment instructions for access and cleaning.
Disinfectants work less effectively when dirt remains. A surface that looks clean is not necessarily sanitized: washing and disinfection have separate purposes. Consider replacing a part that you cannot clean inside.
Follow the sanitizer label
Choose a product approved for the intended surfaces. Check its concentration, contact time, rinsing instructions and protective equipment requirements. Do not copy a dose between products with different strengths. Keep parts in contact with the product for the time stated on the label.
Never mix cleaning products. Mixing chlorine products with acids or ammonia is particularly dangerous. If disease is suspected, routine cleaning may be insufficient; the treatment depends on the material and suspected cause.
Service pumps and meters
| Part | Check |
|---|---|
| Water pump | Intake filter, impeller, clear delivery and leaks |
| Air system | Tubing, check valve as instructed, actual diffuser output |
| Supports | Stability of the lid, pots and light |
| pH electrode | Cleaning and storage as instructed, fresh calibration |
| EC meter | Clean sensor and a check in conductivity standard |
Do not submerge an electrical instrument body unless it is designed for that use. Do not store a pH electrode dry or in distilled water if its manufacturer requires a storage solution. Follow the instructions for the specific sensor.
Run the system without plants
Reassemble the system and test it with clean water. Check delivery to every outlet, clear drainage and leak-free connections. In DWC, check bubbles in the tank and stable pots. Prepare fresh nutrient solution after the trial.
Shield the reservoir and unused holes from light. Constant light on wet surfaces encourages algae. Keep an inspection opening so the next check does not require lifting a heavy reservoir unsafely.
Keep a maintenance record
Record the cleaning date, product used and parts replaced. Note meter checks and the trial-run result. This helps you see whether a problem returned after changing tubing, water or a batch of growing medium.
During the crop, remove debris and keep tools clean. Do not move scissors, solution or plugs from a suspect crop to a healthy one without appropriate treatment. Between crops, inspect the whole system, including parts normally out of sight.