Troubleshooting

Encountering problems with your hydroponic system? Here you'll find solutions to the most common issues – from root rot to yellow leaves.

Back to guides
Farmer with tablet computer checking quality and freshness of organic vegetables hydroponic.

Common Problems and Solutions

Root Rot

Symptoms: Brown, slimy roots that smell bad. The plant becomes limp and stops growing.

Solutions:

  • Lower water temperature to below 22°C

  • Increase oxygenation with more or larger air pumps

  • Replace the nutrient solution immediately

  • Clean the system thoroughly with hydrogen peroxide

Yellow Leaves (Chlorosis)

Symptoms: Leaves turn yellow, often starting on older leaves or between leaf veins.

Solutions:

  • Nitrogen deficiency: Older leaves yellow first. Increase nutrients or change solution

  • Iron deficiency: New leaves yellow between veins. Check that pH is 5.5-6.5

  • Wrong pH blocks nutrient uptake – adjust to the correct level

Algae Growth

Symptoms: Green coating on pipes, containers, or roots. Water may become cloudy and green.

Solutions:

  • Cover all containers so that NO light reaches the water

  • Use black or opaque pipes and tanks

  • Clean the system regularly between harvests

  • Add hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to kill existing algae

Slow or Stunted Growth

Symptoms: Plants grow very slowly or seem to have stopped completely.

Solutions:

  • Too little light: Increase light intensity or duration (12-16 hours/day)

  • Wrong EC: Check that nutrient concentration is correct

  • Wrong pH: Nutrient uptake is blocked – adjust to 5.5-6.5

  • Too cold/hot: Optimal temperature is 18-24°C

Preventive Maintenance

The best way to avoid problems is to prevent them!

Daily checks

  • Check pH value

  • Look at the roots – should be white/light colored

  • Check water level

Every other day

  • Measure EC value

  • Inspect leaves for signs of problems

Every 2 weeks

  • Change the nutrient solution completely

  • Clean containers and pipes

Between harvests

  • Deep clean the entire system

  • Disinfect with hydrogen peroxide

Need help?

Contact us if you have questions or encounter problems we haven't covered here

Contact us