Tower Maintenance

A well-maintained tower system runs almost on autopilot. Spend 10 minutes a week on these basics and your system will reward you with consistent, healthy harvests.

Daily (30 Seconds)

Glance at your tower — are the plants looking healthy? Is water flowing? If anything looks off (wilting, discoloration, dry pockets), investigate. Most problems are easy to fix if you catch them early.

Weekly (10 Minutes)

Check water level: Top off the reservoir as needed. In hot weather, a tower can drink a surprising amount — check more often in summer.

Test pH and EC: pH should be 5.5–6.5, EC should be 1.0–2.0 for lettuce and herbs. Adjust as needed. pH tends to drift up over the week; EC tends to drop as plants consume nutrients.

Inspect roots: Healthy roots are white or light tan. Brown, slimy roots indicate root rot — usually caused by water that is too warm (above 75°F) or stagnant water. If you see this, check your pump, improve aeration, and consider adding a beneficial bacteria product.

Every 2–3 Weeks

Full reservoir change: Drain the old solution completely. Wipe down the inside of the reservoir to remove any algae or mineral buildup. Refill with fresh water and re-mix nutrients. This is the single most important maintenance task.

Between Grows

Clean the system: When you harvest and before replanting, run a mild hydrogen peroxide solution (3% H2O2 at 3ml per gallon) through the system for an hour, then drain and rinse. This clears any buildup in the irrigation lines and tower sections. Wipe down the tower pockets and inspect the pump intake for debris. Replace any cracked or stained net cups.

Algae Prevention

Algae thrives where light hits nutrient water. Keep your reservoir covered and block any light leaks in your tower pockets. If algae appears on the outside of net cups or tower surfaces, wipe it off during your weekly check. It is not harmful to plants but it competes for nutrients and looks messy.