Weekly Maintenance Guide for Your Hydroponic System
Spend a few minutes each week checking water, nutrients, and plants to keep your hydroponic towers lush, productive, and stress‑free.
Leafy Vegetables – TDS Ranges
Use these typical TDS ranges as a weekly reference for lettuce, spinach, herbs, and other leafy crops in recirculating systems.
| Week | Growth stage | TDS range (PPM) |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Seedling | 300 – 400 |
| Week 2 | Early vegetative | 400 – 500 |
| Week 3 | Late vegetative | 500 – 600 |
| Week 4 | Harvest stage | 600 – 700 |
- Check water level: Ensure the reservoir keeps the pump fully submerged at all times.
- Top up nutrients: Add nutrient solution gradually until the TDS returns to the target range.
- Record readings: Log weekly TDS and pH so you can spot trends early.
Fruiting Vegetables – TDS Ranges
Fruiting crops need slightly stronger nutrient solutions, especially from flowering onwards; the table below gives typical weekly ranges.
| Week | Growth stage | TDS range (PPM) |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Seedling | 500 – 600 |
| Week 2 | Early vegetative | 600 – 700 |
| Week 3 | Late vegetative | 700 – 900 |
| Week 4 | Flowering | 900 – 1,000 |
| Week 5 | Early fruit set | 1,000 – 1,200 |
| Week 6 | Fruiting | 1,200 – 1,500 |
- Watch plant response: If tips burn or leaves curl, dilute the solution slightly.
- Refresh solution: Plan full reservoir changes every few weeks to prevent salt buildup.
Weekly Plant Inspection
A quick visual scan helps catch nutrient issues and pests before they affect yield across the entire tower.
- Leaf colour & texture: Look for yellowing, spotting, or scorched edges that hint at imbalance.
- Root zone: Healthy roots are firm and light-coloured; remove any brown or slimy growth.
- Pests & disease: Check leaf undersides and stems; use mild, organic controls if you spot insects.
System & Hardware Check
Keeping pumps, nozzles, and plumbing clean each week protects your tower and ensures consistent nutrient delivery.
- Pump & nozzles: Listen for unusual noise and clear any visible clogs or debris.
- Leaks & flow: Inspect all connections for drips and confirm even flow across every level.
- Clean surfaces: Wipe down exposed plastics and remove dead leaves to reduce algae growth.
Get the Best Out of Your Tower
Simple habits like rotating towers, harvesting often, and keeping notes can significantly boost consistency and flavour.
- Rotate for light: Turn the tower slightly each week for balanced light on all sides.
- Harvest regularly: Pick outer leaves and ripe fruits often to encourage continuous new growth.
- Maintain a logbook: Note what you planted, dates, and readings to refine your recipe over time.
