Cleaning rdwc system after harvest

Beezcheeze

Beezcheeze

Well-Known Member
I've spent a lot of time looking but can't find a someone that has a good method for cleanig their system after each run. I have a 4 8 gallon bucket system with a 13 gallon res. All connected with undercurrent 2" pipes. Some say they just run bleach water through and flush it out. Surely it takes more than that to get the buildup off. Anyone have any recommendations?
 
honeybread

honeybread

Well-Known Member
I get steriliser (food grade) from my local homebrew shop.

Scrub everything with steaming hot water, then sterilise overnight.
 
WeedFreak78

WeedFreak78

Well-Known Member
I have a set of brushes I bought for cleaning engines during rebuilds. I'm going to pick up another one for scrubbing these systems out. I don't remember where I got the set I have but it has a 3' long rod that the brushes screw on to giving you over 4' of length. They range in dia from around 1/2" up to 5", so they can scrub out everything from feed lines up to full pvc rails.

here's an example, not the one I have but what I'll probably end up buying.
 

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firsttimeARE

firsttimeARE

Well-Known Member
Id tecommend against a wire brush that will gouge plastic leaving areas for bacteria to hide.

H2O2 food grade 35% sounds like the easiest way.
 
gand3r

gand3r

Active Member
I would suggest flushing with physan, then flush again with water and a final flush with H202. I suggest this method as the physan is superior at removing bacteria, the water flush after is to enure that that any physan is removed along with H202.

I agree with FirsttimeARE, be cautious using anything that may damage the surface area of the system.
 
gand3r

gand3r

Active Member
Hi Weedfreak,

I see your brushes, i use something similar. I wasn't referring to your brushes only the fact that anything abrasive is not to be used. :D
 
TheChemist77

TheChemist77

Well-Known Member
what about using a product like kleen from general hydroponics, i use it durring my fluch cycle and between water changes its safe for growing plants and removes salt buildup in my tubes and res...
 
C

crankdoctor

Active Member
Does anybody know what water to bleach ratio to run through lines and pump? Had some slime and want to make sure it’s all dead before start up. I know I have to break all down and clean n rinse good. just don’t know how much bleach would be safe to cycle throu unit.
 
rkymtnman

rkymtnman

Well-Known Member
crankdoctor said:
Does anybody know what water to bleach ratio to run through lines and pump? Had some slime and want to make sure it’s all dead before start up. I know I have to break all down and clean n rinse good. just don’t know how much bleach would be safe to cycle throu unit.
Click to expand...
i "think" it's 50ppm
 
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