Maintenance

Regular maintenance will ensure your FLORATek 4 system continues to operate accurately and reliably.

Probe Care and Maintenance

The EC and pH probes included with your FLORATek 4 system will last for many grows if properly cared for. However, these probes can give false readings and/or completely fail if neglected or misused.

Cleaning Your Probes

The tips of your probes should be cleaned at least every month, or when you suspect they may be giving incorrect readings.

To clean the tips of your probes:

  1. Place your control in Pause mode

  2. Using a very soft brush, gently clean the tip of each probe. Clean the pH probe only with water. A mild dish soap can be used on the tip of the EC probe if necessary.

  3. Always recalibrate your probes following cleaning.

Storing Your Probes

When not in use, store your pH probe using the storage cap it comes with. Always check to make sure the sponge inside the storage cap is soft and wet, and the cap is filled about half way with 4.00 calibration solution before using it. The EC probe should be cleaned and dried before storage.

Water Changes

Regularly changing the water in your hydroponics system is beneficial to remove contaminants from the water, manually clean any algae growth, and ensure ideal growing conditions for your plants. However, changing your water too frequently is also inefficient, wasteful, and can lead to issues with your plants.

When to Change Water

When deciding how frequently to change your water, consider the following:

  • Upcoming changes to your nutrient dosing. When moving to a new week or stage on your nutrient feedchart, you should complete a water change.

  • How quickly algae growth appears in your reservoir, grow containers, or plumbing. You should always check for algae growth and clean it when necessary.

  • If your water is filtered at any point in the circulation. Filters can keep your water cleaner for longer.

  • The type of plants you are growing. Some plants are “pickier” about water changes than others.

Note

If you expect the pH probe to be out of the water for more than 15 minutes, the tip should be placed into probe storage solution.

Water Change Procedure

Typical water change procedure with a FLORATek system:

  1. Unplug your FLORATek control

  2. Remove your probes and properly store them in a safe place.

  3. Drain the water from your hydroponic system

  4. Clean your hydroponic system as needed

  5. Refill your hydroponic system with clean water to the proper level. Remember to circulate the water before starting your FLORATek control.

  6. Place your probes back in your reservoir and ensure all tubing is reinstalled correctly

  7. Plug in your FLORATek system

  8. Readjust your EC Base (if desired)

  9. Update your dose to the new stage/week of your feedchart, as required

  10. Press RUN to start treating your water

Probe Replacement Schedule

Even with proper care, probes will eventually need to be replaced. Typical lifespan depends on:

  • Frequency of use

  • Quality of storage when not in use

  • Water chemistry and cleanliness

  • Physical care and handling

Replace probes when:

  • Calibration becomes difficult or impossible

  • Readings become unstable or erratic

  • The probe shows physical damage

  • Measurements no longer match reference solutions