Water Prep & Maintenance

The Lifeblood of, well... Everything

In hydroponic systems, or "Hybridponic" as Gardy calls it, water is the lifeblood of the plants. It's their sole source of ​food and nutrients. Although it's not the only factor influencing plant health and productivity, it's indispensable. Just ​like humans, plants require clean water to thrive and grow strong.

So, how does one procure clean water suitable for plant growth?

You might encounter a variety of...unique...suggestions regarding water treatment. In this guide, we'll demonstrate ​the process using a scientific approach backed by our three decades of experience in hydroponic farming.

Fear not, the explanation will be straightforward and simple to grasp. No complexities here. You'll learn an easily ​duplicable method for water preparation, perfect for systems like Gardyn. We aim to keep it as uncomplicated as ​possible.

Water sources for your system.

Hydroponic home growers have ​several water sources to choose ​from, each with its own ​characteristics and implications for ​plant health. City water, or tap ​water, is commonly used due to its ​easy accessibility. However, it often ​contains chlorine or chloramine, ​which can be harmful to plants. City ​water typically has a moderate ​hardness level, meaning it contains ​a balanced amount of dissolved ​minerals like calcium and ​magnesium. On the other hand, ​well water can vary significantly in ​hardness depending on the local ​geology. It often contains higher ​levels of minerals, making it “hard” ​water. Hard water can lead to ​nutrient imbalances in hydroponic ​systems, necessitating the use of a ​water softener to remove excess ​minerals.

When a water softener is used, it ​typically replaces calcium and ​magnesium ions with sodium or ​potassium ions. This process can ​make the water softer and more ​suitable for hydroponic use by ​preventing mineral buildup.

However, the increased sodium levels can be detrimental to some plants, so ​it’s crucial to monitor and adjust nutrient solutions accordingly. In contrast, ​city water, if treated properly to remove chlorine and chloramine, can be used ​directly without the need for a softener. This makes it a more straightforward ​option for many home growers, provided they address the initial chemical ​treatments.

Spring water is another potential source, but it comes with its own set of ​challenges. While it can be rich in natural minerals beneficial for plant growth, ​it is often bottled and processed, making it an expensive choice for regular use ​in hydroponics. Additionally, the mineral content can vary, requiring careful ​monitoring and adjustment of nutrient solutions. For most home growers, the ​cost and variability make spring water less practical compared to city or well ​water. In the next section, we’ll explore different types of filtration systems ​that can help optimize these water sources for hydroponic use.

Filtration

Activated Charcoal Filtering is a popular choice for hydroponic ​growers due to its ability to remove impurities and contaminants ​from water. This type of filtration works by adsorbing chemicals, ​chlorine, and organic compounds, resulting in cleaner water for ​your plants. Activated charcoal filters are relatively affordable and ​easy to maintain, making them a cost-effective option for home ​growers. The primary benefit for plants is the reduction of ​harmful substances that can inhibit growth or cause damage. ​However, activated charcoal does not remove dissolved minerals, ​so it won’t affect the hardness or softness of the water. This ​makes it a good option for those using city water or well water ​that doesn’t require mineral adjustment.

Here are examples of two types, Under the Sink and On the ​Faucet. Both offer the cleanliness you need without stripping ​minerals requiring an adjustment in your nutrients to maintain ​plant health.

Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems provide a high level of water ​purification by forcing water through a semi-permeable ​membrane, removing up to 99% of dissolved salts, minerals, and ​contaminants. This results in very pure water, which is ideal for ​hydroponic systems as it allows for precise control over nutrient ​solutions. RO systems can be more expensive upfront and require ​regular maintenance, but the benefits to plant health and growth ​can be significant. Using RO water means you start with a clean ​slate, free from impurities that could interfere with nutrient ​uptake. However, because RO water is stripped of all minerals, it ​is considered “soft” and may require the addition of calcium, ​magnesium, and other essential nutrients to ensure optimal plant ​growth.

Here is a tankless RO System that saves dramatically on waste ​water.

Nutrients

Veg+Bloom from Hydroponic Research is renowned for being a superior hydroponic plant nutrient due to its ​comprehensive and versatile formulation. Unlike most nutrient mixes that require different products for various ​growth stages, Veg+Bloom is designed as a full lifecycle plant food, simplifying the feeding process for growers. This ​all-in-one solution ensures that plants receive consistent and balanced nutrition from seedling to harvest. Additionally, ​Veg+Bloom offers specific blends tailored to different water systems, including hard water, soft water, and reverse ​osmosis water, as well as a blend for soil and peat systems. Be sure to get the blend for your water type for maximum ​effectiveness.

Using Veg+Bloom removes the need for additional nutrients such as Cal-Mag, as it already contains all the essential ​elements required for optimal plant growth. This makes it not only convenient but also highly effective in promoting ​healthy and vigorous plants. It is the ONLY plant food we recommend and the only plant food we use in our systems, ​ensuring that our plants receive the best possible care with minimal hassle.

Additives

We don’t recommend many, but sometimes there comes a product so good, we have to mention it. Again, from ​Hydroponic Research, comes PHLO.

PHLO (“Flow”) is more than a pH-lowering additive; it's a comprehensive water conditioner. It acts as a pH stabilizer, ​antibacterial, antifungal, and virucide, removing the need for Vitamin C treatments to eliminate chlorine and ​chloramine. It also includes a surfactant what acts as a transport vehicle for nutrients directly to your roots. This ​allows for better nutrient uptake and healthier plants over all. Incorporating it into your system along with Veg+Bloom ​nutrients will contribute to maintaining healthy water and roots.

Always add to fresh nutrient water only. Do not add directly to your reservoir. In regards to the Gardyn grow systems, ​they have a 5 gallon reservoir. We recommend a dose of 5ml for a full tank at water changes. Monitor your plants and ​system for any biofilm or algae build ups and adjust from there. For top-offs, we currently utilize 1ml for every two ​gallons. Again, monitoring for issues and adjusting from there. Keep in mind, some issues my be a result of VPD out of ​range as well. If you’re not monitoring that, check out our guide here.

Items used in the video

Water Transfer Pump

This is the pump we utilize ​in the video. Used to ​quickly add / remove the ​water to your containers

2.5 Gallon Water Jug

We use this because it ​is large enough to ​add/remove the water ​fast but small enough ​to make it light ​enough to carry