How to Maintain a Hydroponic Nutrient Reservoir

A solid foundation for maintaining your hydroponic nutrient solution reservoir! A reservoir forms the center of every single type of hydroponic growing system. These basics give you effective control over every system type. Be a successful hydroponic gardener by effectively maintaining your nutrient solution reservoir.

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^{[1]XResearch source}
Guides are available from the internet and some nutrient suppliers.^{[2]XResearch source}
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Tap water measuring 300 ppm or greater indicates that you may need to run either a reverse osmosis system or distill your water. You want to be sure of the total PPM of the water you are putting to your plants before adding nutrients, is between 0-50ppm, anything over 100 is acceptable just be wary of some of the micro nutrients that might be in your test water. See the "Tips" section for ideas on tap water usage.
Use a digital probe to measure the strength and pH of the nutrient solution every day and do this close to the same time every day. Make notes in a diary to keep track of events and changes.
For more accurate readings of your test equipment, test after the nutrient has been run through your system at least once (twice is good).
Note: An adjustment in your solution's pH will affect its strength. The most affective is a pH of 5.5-6.2 never go higher than 6.5 or lower than 5.5 no matter what vegetables you are growing.^{[3]XResearch source}
If it is too strong, add water. If it is too weak, add a little fertilizer. [See Warnings] Make sure you re-test the pH after making changes.
^{[4]XResearch source}
Do not use full nutrient for top-ups.^{[5]XResearch source}
For example if a 20L tub is used then at least 20L of nutrient should be used, preferably more, twice as much is a good minimum. The volume of the growing medium not with standing in the volume calculations. The largest size nutrient reservoir (within reason) that can be implemented is better.
Know that nutrient life is dependent on is volume and the requirements of the plants as well as the plant's transpiration rate, all of which vary greatly. However, ideally you should nutrient the water everyday, when you are starting out.
When growing outside all forms of falling water should be prevented from falling on the garden and so diluting the nutrient solution.
^{[6]XResearch source}

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Question
What is an alternative to dumping the reservoir solution onto the soil? That isn't a viable strategy if I want to be certified organic in a few years. Any more "environmentally friendly" alternatives to share with us?
Community Answer
Use organic nutrients in your reservoir, or try running a compost tea through the system.
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At what pH should my water solution be changed?
Community Answer
It depends on the plant you are growing, as some plants prefer a higher pH while others prefer a lower one. Most plants wont survive in acidic environment, however.
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What are some good hydroponic nutrients?
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Some good hydroponic nutrients would be calcium, zinc, manganese, chlorine, potassium, copper, magnesium, sulfur, iron, and phosphorus.
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Tips

Not less than two flushes per day (morning and evening)should be provided, but as many as one flush per two hours may be needed. A good guide is to watch the leaves, and when they show signs of wilting, add a flush at that time.
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Make sure the fertilizer you use in a hydroponic system is complete. Match the solution's type and strength to your plants' needs.
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It is a good idea to run plain water or 1/4 strength nutrient through the system during its regular timed flushes once or twice in between major or complete nutrient changes, to leach out any fertilizer buildup. Keep in mind this will weaken your prepared nutrient mix so a re-test and adjustment will be in order after a plain water or 1/4 strength flush.
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Warnings

Some city's water that contain chlorine also contains bromine which may harm your plants, a way to get rid of this bromine is to fill a barrel (not your reservoir) with cold water, the next day you will notice that the walls of the barrel will have little bubbles sticking allover, just tap your barrels sides a few times until all of these bubbles float up to the top. This is called perking and is a very affective way to expel bromine, its also a lot cheaper than using aquarium tablets (See Tips for tap water use)
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Chlorine is rapidly dissipated from agitated water when exposed to air.
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Chlorine in tap water will not kill your plants, it can actually help them resist mold and mildew build up at the stock base.
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Sanitize your reservoir/pipes/tubes/tubs/pumps prior to use by pouring boiling water over all areas to be exposed to nutrient solution if your reservoir has become infected. With reasonable care hydroponic gardens do not become infected/contaminated.
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Do not use a top-up mix from a maker of a full/complete mix with another maker's top-up mix as the nutrient levels in each maker's mix will be different, you will radically alter the balance and your plants will suffer.
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If adding new fertiliser to an existing nutrient solution, be aware that you will also be adding more micro nutrients/trace elements as well. These nutrients DO NOT get used anywhere near as much as macro nutrients. As a result a build up of these micro nutrients in your reservoir will cause problems with your plants. Many nutrient makers sell a "top-up" mix just for this purpose. If replacement top-up nutrients are not available then use the spent nutrients on your dirt garden/lawn or where-ever, and make a fresh new batch each time.
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Plants will suffer from high over nutrition/over fertilization very quickly; an undernourished plant may last longer than an over nourished plant but will suffer from lack of nutrients.
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