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5 Common Causes Why Nutrient Solutions Turn Cloudy or Hazy in Hydroponics

It is a common experience for home growers to experience cloudiness and haziness in their nutrient solutions. NutriHydro is no stranger to this common phenomenon. Here are 5 common causes on why nutrient solutions turn cloudy and hazy once opened over time. As of the time of this writing 26 August, 2021, we have checked all our batch samples in our inventory and while none have turned cloudy due to the fact that our batch samples are sealed and kept in dark rooms, we have investigated the matter and have come up with the following presumptions based from a number of experiments and feedback from customers.

  1. The limy and furry appearance can be because of bacterial growth.


    Probable cause: Solution A and B contain very high levels of nutrients which is very very attractive for bacterial growth. 

    Solution: It is best practice to replace the cap and tighten the bottle right away after each use. The longer bottles remain open without caps, the higher the chance of bacterial growth. Keep the solution away from direct sunlight or places that are well lit. When possible, keep the bottled solution in cabinets or containers away from light. Light encourages bacterial growth in nutrient solutions.

    When possible, use your concentrate solution within a crop cycle. Prolonged storage once opened leads to bacterial growth.

  2. The solution is left under direct sunlight for days or left in a shaded area but well lit by sunlight over a prolonged period of time.


    Probable cause: UV affects the chemistry of the solution.

    Solution: As with any other liquid products that contain nutrients, it is discouraged to put such under direct sunlight. We also discourage putting the nutrient solution in rooms that are well lit with sunlight. Keep the nutrient solution bottles in storage away from bright lights nor sunlight. Once your bottled solutions are opened, use the entire c0ntent within your current crop cycle. Avoid prolonged storage of opened bottles.

  3. The caps are mixed up. Solution A cap goes to bottle B and vice versa.

    Probable cause: Sulfate when mixed with calcium at small quantities but in concentrate form causes the solution to be cloudy and precipitate over time.

    Solution: Users must take extra precaution in handling the caps. The best practice is to open each bottle one at a time to prevent the mix up. NutriHydro has placed orders for colored stickers to go onto the caps of the bottled solutions to identify one from the other preventing the cause of mix-ups.

  4. A single measuring cup is used to measure each solution causing a trickle of solution to come into contact of the other bottle.


    Probable cause: Sulfate contacts calcium from each of the bottle causing the cloudiness and eventual precipitation.

    Solution: Use individual measuring cups for each bottle to prevent calcium and sulfate from combining with each other.

  5. Algae growth is an even presence of substance skimming at the top of the liquid solution.

    Probable cause: Leaving the solution at a well lit place over a prolonged period of time or leaving the solution under sun exposure encourages the growth of algae in liquids.

    Solution: As with any other liquid products that contain nutrients, it is discouraged to put such under direct sunlight. We also discourage putting the nutrient solution in rooms that are well lit with sunlight. Keep the nutrient solution bottles in storage away from bright lights nor sunlight. Once your bottled solutions are opened, use the entire c0ntent within your current crop cycle. Avoid prolonged storage of opened bottles.

Author

Christopher Tuason

Christopher Tuason

Chris and his family operate NutriHydro, a company dedicated to empowering the next generation with a thriving community of innovative growers. With an MBA under his belt, Chris brings valuable experience from his time working in international companies focused on blending, trading, and supplying fuel worldwide. His daughters, who hold degrees in chemistry, chemical engineering, and mechanical engineering, contribute their expertise to the family business by developing top-tier plant nutrients. These high-quality products cater to various applications, including hydroponics, aquaponics, fertigation, foliar feeding, and sprinkler systems.
Christopher Tuason

Christopher Tuason

Chris and his family operate NutriHydro, a company dedicated to empowering the next generation with a thriving community of innovative growers. With an MBA under his belt, Chris brings valuable experience from his time working in international companies focused on blending, trading, and supplying fuel worldwide. His daughters, who hold degrees in chemistry, chemical engineering, and mechanical engineering, contribute their expertise to the family business by developing top-tier plant nutrients. These high-quality products cater to various applications, including hydroponics, aquaponics, fertigation, foliar feeding, and sprinkler systems.

NutriHydro is a manufacturer of plant nutrients based in the Philippines. They are known to grow the healthiest, heaviest, and largest lettuce in the country. NutriHydro products are available to purchase from the following e-commerce platforms.

Lazada: bit.ly/3asMYXN
Shopee: bit.ly/3nRJX6Z
Basilyard: bit.ly/346Kklw
NutriHdyro Website: bit.ly/434MoY6

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