Hydroponic Tower System after Green Algae Attack

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

As promised, I am here with the results of cleaning my hydroponic tower system after the green algae attack. Following the recommended directions in my previous post, cleaning it was fairly easy. I also took this time to pick the larger leaves of the greens and set the system back up with their younger leaves.

All of the greens have strong roots, so I stuffed the younger leaf ones with some rockwool (very pliable) to hold them in place and maintain the moisture level around the roots.  Like the greens we would plant outside during the fall, and then harvest in the spring and in the early summer, these hydroponic greens will grow new leaves after the older ones have been picked. Just keep giving them the same level of care as when they were first placed in the pods.

To reduce the amount of light surrounding the tower, I moved the system from the sunroom to a room that gets less natural light. In addition, I added an air pump to oxygenate the water, and tomorrow I will cover the open areas of each pod with foil to reduce the amount of light streaming directly into them. 

In the pictures you can see I have a nice large bowl of mixed greens, which I will freeze for next year. I also trimmed back my lemon basil plant to six inches, and from the photo below you can get an idea of how large the mother plant was before I cut it back. These I will dry in the dehydrator. I also created a tasty fresh basic vegetable soup for night's dinner. I will post the recipe of Seven Ninety Seven, "Home Of The Bargain Queen" on another day.

I also want to share that all of the lights mounted in sunroom and the light that came with each hydroponic systems are all on timers. This means I do not have to turn them on and off each day, which is really nice.

Until next time,

      Merry Christmas to All!

A Widescreen Online Review Plus Article@2025

The Wonder of Hydroponic Bell Peppers and the Attack of Green Algae

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

It has been a while since my last post, so today I wanted to upload the process of the California wonder bell peppers that I seeded on September the fifth. As you can see from photo below, the pepper is green and half the size store bought bell peppers, and not the large dark red stuffing size. This only meaning they still growing and will turn red when they reach full size.

 

The greens that I planted in my tower hydroponic systems are growing well. Who knew that you could grow collard, mustard and turnip greens indoors and in a hydroponic system?  Anyway, I have run across an invader - green algae. Somehow too much light has gotten into the tower and allowed the green algae grow.  My only guess is that sitting in the sunroom with all the other plant surrounding it for the potted plant, the rays of those grow lights are able to penetrate the pod openings in tower system giving the green algae a home.  

 

Before pictures

The after pictures will come later this week, and after I have moved the system into the house.

In any case, the solution to getting rid of the algae is simple.

To clean green algae from a hydroponic tower, first, remove plants and drain the system, then manually scrub components with hot soapy water and a brush, followed by a sterilization rinse with diluted hydrogen peroxide (3% H₂O₂, about 3ml per gallon of water) or a vinegar solution, running it through the system to kill spores, and finally, rinse thoroughly with fresh water, blocking light from the reservoir to prevent regrowth, -- Google AI

I also plan to add a air stone, like in a fish aquarium. The benefits of having an air stone in a hydroponic tower system:

Adding an air stone to a hydroponic tower system provides crucial oxygen to roots for better nutrient absorption, promotes healthy root development, prevents root rot, and fights pathogens, leading to faster growth and higher yields by ensuring roots can breathe and thrive in the nutrient solution, even in systems with less direct air exposure like towers.  -- Google AI

I hope this article is helpful to others that want to try growing vegetables in tower hydroponic systems.   

Until next time,

      Merry Christmas to All!

A Widescreen Online Review Plus Article@2025