Grow Mediums cleaning autopot systems. Is CLR ok?

[lunarman]

Curious how you clean up an autopot system after a grow. From trays to valves to lines. I have tried hot water, soaps, bleach. Finally tried CLR and that stuff works great. Just soak it for a bit and a light scrubbing and a good rinse. I did it on one valve for a test and it looks brand newish now. But is CLR ok to use even with a good rinse? I know its very acidic and would screw up PH levels. and in general can't be good for plants at all. But if its rinsed well, would it be OK?
Edit: this is not an organic setup with water only. I'm running synth nutes like Mega Crop.

 

[midIN]

I used mean Green around garden stuff it's all natural and I get the commercial line at work all day long free, it will eat paint, but has never been one problem in the garden since using it. Scrub pad and a bottle of it does wonders.

 

[lunarman]

I used mean Green around garden stuff it's all natural and I get the commercial line at work all day long free, it will eat paint, but has never been one problem in the garden since using it. Scrub pad and a bottle of it does wonders.

Free is always better. Do u dilute it? Do u soak with it or just spray and wipe and rinse?

 

[bushmasterar15]

Not sure on using cleaning agents as I don't want to add anything that could harm. I just use hot water and wipe clean.

 

[BII]

I just blast the pieces (other than valves) outside with a hose, and let the black plastic dry and sterilize in the sun.

Otherwise, whatever brushes, pads, detergents, etc. you use to clean cooking pots and pans can be used.

 

[midIN]

Free is always better. Do u dilute it? Do u soak with it or just spray and wipe and rinse?

Soak spray wipe etc with it an hot water.

 

[KsjAuto]

My aquavalves goes in the dishwasher
..
Edit. Not the small silicone bits..

[emoji85][emoji86][emoji87]

 

[HemiSync]

Curious how you clean up an autopot system after a grow. From trays to valves to lines. I have tried hot water, soaps, bleach. Finally tried CLR and that stuff works great. Just soak it for a bit and a light scrubbing and a good rinse. I did it on one valve for a test and it looks brand newish now. But is CLR ok to use even with a good rinse? I know its very acidic and would screw up PH levels. and in general can't be good for plants at all. But if its rinsed well, would it be OK?
Edit: this is not an organic setup with water only. I'm running synth nutes like Mega Crop.

I imagine that as long as you rinse it well you should be fine. Although, just as a counter point, I have never cleaned mine beyond rinsing with cold clean water. 3 years and still going strong. :smoking:

 

[lunarman]

I imagine that as long as you rinse it well you should be fine. Although, just as a counter point, I have never cleaned mine beyond rinsing with cold clean water. 3 years and still going strong. :smoking:

that is amazing. what the hell am I doing wrong? I will take some pics of my trays/valves/res now that they are all pulled out and ready to be cleaned for the next go. Will post them in a bit. And it can't be my water. I use 50% bottled RO that has like 3 PPM and 50% tap that is medium hard water. Although maybe it is the 50% tap water that gives me the build up.

 

[BII]

that is amazing. what the hell am I doing wrong? I will take some pics of my trays/valves/res now that they are all pulled out and ready to be cleaned for the next go. Will post them in a bit. And it can't be my water. I use 50% bottled RO that has like 3 PPM and 50% tap that is medium hard water. Although maybe it is the 50% tap water that gives me the build up.

Crud build-up is usually organic, not salts from tap water. What are you feeding the plants? Do your feeds include carbs, or complex organics?