---
title: 12. Common mistakes in hydroponics and how to avoid them
description: "The most common mistakes in hydroponics and how to avoid them: a complete guide for beginners and experts. Learn how to manage light, nutrients, water, and microclimate properly - and how Tomato+ automatically eliminates key risks."
---

[Hydroponics and Vertical Farming: The Technical Guide to Understand, Grow, and Innovate ](https://tomatoplus.com/en/blog)

# [12. Common mistakes in hydroponics and how to avoid them](https://tomatoplus.com/en/blog/common-mistakes-in-hydroponics-and-how-to-avoid-them)

 Written by [Tomato+ Team](https://tomatoplus.com/en/blog/author/tomato-team) | Nov 23, 2025 10:03:00 AM

 

Hydroponics is an extremely efficient and precise method: when it works well, it allows rapid growths, superior quality and resource savings.  
However, when something is misadjusted, negative effects appear within hours.

In this article, we analyze **the most common mistakes** made by both beginners and long-time growers, explaining **how to avoid them simply and definitively**.  
In the article, we also report how Tomato+ greenhouses automatically reduce these risks.

## **1. Not checking EC and pH correctly.**

This is the most common mistake.  
If EC and pH are not in the optimal range, the plant cannot properly absorb nutrients, even if they are present.

**Problems caused:**

- slowed growth
- apparent (but false) deficiencies
- damaged roots

**How to avoid it**

- Measure values regularly.
- Keep pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
- Avoid ECs that are too high: they don't accelerate growth, they stunt it.

**With Tomato+**  
Greenhouses automatically adjust critical parameters and alert the user in case of abnormalities.

## **2. Over- or under-lighting**

Light is one of the most sensitive factors. It is not enough to just turn on the LED: the quality of the spectrum, the intensity, and especially **the distance from the plant** matters.

**Common mistakes:**

- LEDs too close → burned leaves
- LEDs too far apart → spun plants
- Wrong spectra → slow growth

### **The main problem in conventional systems**

LEDs generate a lot of heat, so they must be kept away from plants.  
This causes:

- low efficiency (a lot of light is lost)
- high power consumption
- risk of "light stress"

### **With Tomato+ Horto Professional**

LEDs are **liquid-cooled**, a unique technology in the domestic and compact professional sector.

This allows:

- **to place the light very close to the plants** without risk
- greater luminous efficiency
- drastic reductions in energy waste
- less heat to dissipate → lower overall power consumption

## **3. Using unsuitable water**

Water that is too hard, rich in chlorine or has heavy metals compromises the nutrient solution.

Typical signs:

- white deposits on roots
- unstable pH
- Inconsistent EC

**How to avoid it**

- Use demineralized water or water with few salts.
- On Horto2 and Horto4 → always demineralized water + predosed granular solution.

## **4. Overfilling or underfilling the tank**

A more frequent problem than you think.

Consequences:

- "drowned" roots
- pumps running dry
- Continuous surges in nutrient solution

**Solution:** follow the levels given and check for proper oxygenation.

## **5. Insufficient oxygenation of water.**

Roots need oxygen. Without oxygen → stunted growth.

**How to avoid it.**

- Use an oxygenator in homemade systems.
- Keep water between 18-22 °C.

**With Tomato+**  
Systems are designed to automatically maintain optimal levels of oxygenation and temperature.

## **6. Skip cleaning between cycles.**

Residues, algae and biofilms can compromise subsequent cultivation.

**How to avoid it**

- Thoroughly clean tanks, tubes and components.
- Avoid harsh cleaners (pure bleach, ammonia).

## **7. Add nutrients "by eye"**

Too many nutrients → burned roots.  
Too few → slow growth.

**Solution:**

- Adhere to dosages.
- Do not mix products from different brands.
- Check EC after each correction.

## **8. Ignoring root health.**

Leaves only show the end effect.  
The real diagnosis should be made on the roots.

Typical problems:

- brown roots → poor oxygenation
- bad smell → rotting
- Thin roots → stress or too much light

Check them at least weekly.

## **9. Disregard temperature and humidity**

The microclimate determines how fast the plant grows and how well it grows.

Common mistakes:

- environment too hot → stress
- high humidity → mold
- still air → poor photosynthesis

**Ideal ranges:**

- Temperature: 20-25 °C
- Humidity: 40-60 %

### **With Tomato+ **

Horto2, Horto4 and Horto Professional **automatically manage the microclimate**, adjusting:

- ventilation
- temperature
- humidity
- recirculation and air movement

This eliminates almost all environment-related errors.

## **10. Use the same parameters for all varieties**

Not all plants grow the same way.

Examples:

- basil → lots of light and fast cycles
- lettuce → lower light and more water
- mint → suffers ECs that are too high

**Solution:** use dedicated growth plans.

**With Tomato+**  
Growth Plans are already optimized and, on Horto Professional, are dynamically corrected via AI.

# **Conclusion**

Errors in hydroponics stem from suboptimal parameter management.  
With the right tools-or a Tomato+ greenhouse-many of these risks are completely eliminated, enabling professional results even without experience.

Thank you for reading this article. Keep following us to discover new content on hydroponics, vertical farming and smart agriculture.  
Tomato+ Team

[View full post](https://tomatoplus.com/en/blog/common-mistakes-in-hydroponics-and-how-to-avoid-them)

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Tomato+ Team"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2025-11-23T10:03:00.989Z",
  "datePublished" : "2025-11-23T10:03:00Z",
  "headline" : "12. Common mistakes in hydroponics and how to avoid them",
  "image" : {
    "@type" : "ImageObject",
    "height" : 1200,
    "url" : "https://25080644.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/25080644/TANGO_78A6797.jpg",
    "width" : 800
  },
  "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://tomatoplus.com/en/blog/common-mistakes-in-hydroponics-and-how-to-avoid-them",
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "height" : 60.0,
      "url" : "https://25080644.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/25080644/logo%20tomato%2B%20BIANCONERO.png",
      "width" : 232.9609
    },
    "name" : "Hydroponics and Vertical Farming: The Technical Guide to Understand, Grow, and Innovate"
  }
}
```