Step 1: Flushing
Fill with clean water, circulate for 30–60 minutes, then drain. Repeat twice. EC after flushing should be ≤0.3 mS/cm — if not, continue flushing.
Step 2: Disinfection
| Disinfectant | Notes |
|---|---|
| Hydrogen peroxide 3–5% | Safe, breaks down to water within 30–60 minutes |
| Sodium hypochlorite | Effective, requires thorough rinsing afterwards |
| QAC compounds | Effective against biofilm; must be fully removed before planting |
After the contact period — a minimum of 2 clean-water flushes.
Step 3: Test Run (24 Hours)
Check:
- Pump flow stability
- Timers triggering on schedule
- pH and EC stability after 12 hours
- No leaks anywhere in the system
Three Mistakes That Cost the Most
- Skipping the flush — new plastic contains lubricants and plasticisers
- Not maintaining the disinfectant contact time
- Planting immediately after disinfection without a test run
Ready-to-Plant Criteria
- EC and pH stable for 12 hours
- Pump and timers functioning without fault through two full cycles
- No leaks detected
- Drain EC equals input water EC