March 27 - Maintenance

<aside> 🌷 Summarization of tower maintenance notes!

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Check the water level regularly (at least twice a week)
Check the pH weekly and after refilling the reservoir (test twice a week and keep it between 5.5 and 7.0)
Keep the shower cap holes clean and free from debris (use a toothpick to clean the holes)
Keep roots away from the pump (you can trim dangling roots)
Clean the pump filter monthly. Unplug the pump, pull the pump up through the access port and remove the pump cover. Clean with water to remove debris. Another technique is to turn off the pump and firmly place a garden hose at the top of the center stem in your shower cap. This will blow old root debris out of the filter into the bottom of the tank. Be sure to clean out the debris from the tank bottom or it will clog your pump.

Keep enough nutrient solution in your reservoir so that the submersible pump stays complete submerged.
During cool months, add nutrients to the water every time you fill your reservoir tank. You can mix water and the Mineral Blend in a five gallon bucket prior to adding it to the reservoir (100ml each of Mineral Blend A and Mineral Blend B for each 5 gallons of water). During hot months, add nutrients every other time you fill your reservoir tank (or half strength each time). Repeat the process if more nutrient solution is required.
Depending on the outside temperature and crop types, a full reservoir should last 2-3 weeks. During the hot months, and after your plants become large, your plants will use nutrients and water much faster. The reservoir should always be at least half full.

Unplug the pump
Insert the drain pipe on the tip of the shower cap nozzle.
Make sure the drain pipe is facing away from any electrical plugs, and pointing into a container.
Plug in the pump.
You can use the drained nutrient solution to water landscape plants around your yard
Refill the reservoir with fresh water and nutrients
Repeat this process after every growing season