This is for AutoPot growers who just harvested and want the next run to start without sticky valves or slow lines. AutoPot's own advice is to break the system down and clean each part on its own, because salts and biofilm left over from a run harden in place. The whole job is warm soapy water, a toothbrush, and patience with the valve.
The short answer
- Flush the lines, then take everything apart, down to the valve floats.
- Pull both silicones before the valve gets washed, and put them back only when it's completely dry.
- Clear the nozzle by blowing through it or with a pipe cleaner. Nothing harder.
- Fabric pots and capillary mats get hand washed and air dried. No washing machine, no dryer.
Teardown, in order
- Tap off, pots out. Close the reservoir tap, lift the pots, and empty the trays.
- Flush the lines. AutoPot suggests running a few gallons of cleaning solution through the system with the pots out, then opening the flush taps. Easy2Flow's label rate for heavy clogs is 4 ml per liter, mixed in non-chlorinated water.
- Drain and empty the tank. Drain the pipework through a flush tap or by disconnecting the main line, then bail the tank out with a jug. AutoPot warns that dragging a full reservoir across the floor damages it over time.
- Separate the pipe from each valve. Undo the collar, dip the valve and pipe in hot water, and pull them straight apart. AutoPot says twisting or wiggling can damage the nozzle.
- Open the valve. Hold it upright and slide the top float out of its mount, then unclip the bottom float from its pivot. Take both silicones out and set them somewhere they won't get lost.
- Strip the rest. Remove grommets, filters, root control discs or sheets, and the remaining pipework.
How to clean each part
| Part | Clean with | Also |
|---|---|---|
| Reservoir | Warm soapy water and a gentle brush, then rinse | Let a FlexiTank air dry before folding it |
| AQUAvalve body and floats | Toothbrush in warm soapy water, or the dishwasher with silicones out | Once dry, clear the nozzle by blowing through it or with a pipe cleaner |
| Filters | Mild soap and lukewarm water, or dilute hydrogen peroxide; bodies can go in the dishwasher | Golf filter media is replaceable; whole filters last several years, about 5 per AutoPot's grow guide |
| Tubing | Warm soapy water and a tube brush | Replacing heavily used tubing each run is fine. If you're changing the layout, snip the old pipe ends for a snug fit |
| Trays and plastic pots | Soak first to loosen salts, then scrub or run through the dishwasher | AutoPot names citric acid or diluted bleach for the soak |
| GeoPots and fabric pots | Empty, let dry a few days, brush off debris; optional peroxide wash | Air dry only, never tumble dry |
| Tray2Grow capillary mats | Soak in warm water 10 to 20 minutes, scrub with a soft brush, sanitize with hypochlorous acid or diluted peroxide | Hand wash only; no washing machine, dryer, or pressure washer |
| Root control discs and sheets | Sterilize, dry fully, brush clean | Oxidized copper is normal; replace once roots grow through |
Never put a drill bit or sharp tool in the nozzle. AutoPot says it can damage the AQUAvalve beyond repair. And keep the silicones out until the valve is completely dry.
Before it goes back together
- Inspect the silicones. Replace any that are torn, misshapen, or won't pass the eye-level check below. The top and bottom silicones are different sizes and don't swap.
- Seat the bottom silicone. Push it all the way into its socket.
- Check the top silicone at eye level. It has to sit flat on the hole below it. If it's tilted, lift the top float, press one side of the silicone, drop the float, and check again.
- Store it dry. Trays and pots stack for storage. Keep mats and root control sheets somewhere cool, dry, and dark.
During the next run
Open the flush tap at the end of each line for 30 to 60 seconds after every refill, when the full tank gives the most pressure. AutoPot also suggests watching trays and valves for salt or biofilm and dealing with buildup when it first shows.
Spot check valves and fittings weekly, since moving a pot or tray is a common way to knock one loose, and wipe roots off the pot bases from time to time.
Line cleaner is optional if you flush regularly. For Easy2Flow, AutoPot's in-run rate is 2 ml per liter at each refill, with a recirculating pump on for 15 minutes every 2 hours rather than running constantly.
Parts that fix this
-
AquaValve Silicone Replacement
Top float and bottom float silicones, sold separately since they aren't interchangeable.
-
Easy2Flow Line and Reservoir Cleaner
AutoPot's own cleaner, with a label dose for both the between-runs flush and in-run use.
-
AutoPot Tubing
For replacing heavily used pipe instead of scrubbing it.
-
AutoPot Inline Filters
For a filter body that's reached the end of its few-year life.
Questions
AutoPot names the cleaners but gives no ratios, so follow the label on the product you're using. Whatever you sterilize with, AutoPot says to rinse thoroughly afterward.
AutoPot lists what buildup left between runs leads to: restricted flow, sticky valves, hardened grommets and fittings, weaker wicking, and parts replaced early. A flush reaches the inside of the lines; only the teardown reaches the floats, grommets, and filters.
No. AutoPot identifies it as salt and mineral buildup on the outside of the fabric, and it's harmless.
Recheck the top silicone at eye level first, since AutoPot says a poorly seated silicone throws off the whole valve. If it's seated right, work through the symptoms in why your tray isn't cycling.