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There are a variety of problems growers face when it comes to their irrigation systems, and one of the most common issues is biofilm buildup. This thin, slimy film can cause serious damage to your crops, like root rot and oxygen deprivation, if you don’t tend to it with the right products.
Since there are a variety of threats that come with biofilm formation, proper water treatment is crucial, no matter what type of crop you’re growing. To assist you, we’ve provided a comprehensive guide on what biofilm is, how it’s formed, and ways you can clean your irrigation water with the proper methods and products.
What Is Biofilm in Irrigation Systems?
For you to effectively treat your water system, you must understand what biofilm is. In essence, biofilm is a deposit of single-cell bacteria, algae, or fungi. It’s also a substance that can contain a wide variety of microorganisms, such as E. coli. The substance can appear as thin, slimy films that stick to hard surfaces, like a pipe or water spout.
Additionally, biofilm can vary in thickness, but this will depend on environmental factors. For example, in hydroponic systems, biofilm can appear as green or a thin layer of brown algae that’s about 20 microns. Cleaning and changing water regularly can help reduce the risk of biofilm formation in hydroponic systems, and we’ll explain why in the next sections.
Causes of Biofilm Build-Up
Alt Text: An image of the different stages of biofilm development. Image by Montana State University.
The formation of biofilm can occur when bacteria and other types of microorganisms come into contact with a hard surface, like your irrigation lines. Biofilm development happens in 5 stages:
- Attachment: This is when free microorganisms attach themselves to a surface, such as a spout, drip, or pipe, by producing an extracellular polymeric substance.
- Growth: After adhering to a surface, a process of growth and division takes place. The growth forms a dense structure that can have many layers of thickness. However, at this stage, it can still be too thin to detect.
- Maturation: Next is the stage where the biofilm organisms start to mature by excreting more extracellular polymeric substances. It then creates a water channel that’s criss-crossed to exchange waste and nutrients.
- Detachment: The biofilm cells detach themselves and find new places or surfaces to cling to, which is how they spread bacteria.
- Re-development: In the last stage, the detached cells can form colonies of their own that can attract dangerous microorganisms like viruses and even insects.
Now that you understand how biofilm can accumulate in your irrigation system, here are some causes to help you properly manage your water source, whether you have a greenhouse or a hydroponic system.
The Presence of Nutrients
Irrigation water has organic matter that’s a source of nutrients for the microorganisms in biofilm and contributes to their rapid increase. There are also certain biofilm bacteria, like Legionella, that are sensitive to nutrient availability.
Higher Temperatures
Biofilm can develop at any temperature, but it can increase when the temperatures are higher than 77 – 86°F. Therefore, spring and summer are the seasons when biofilm becomes a more significant problem in irrigation systems.
Low Flow Velocity
If you have a low flow velocity within your pipeline, you may experience an increase in biofilm development. Since the water isn’t running at a higher velocity, biofilm has more of a chance to adhere to your pipes and start multiplying. There are certain bacterial species that can develop and survive in low water activity. That’s why it’s so important to remove biofilm in irrigation lines using the right methods, as certain bacteria can cause food safety concerns.
pH Levels
One of the most common factors that increases biofilm development is where your pH levels are sitting. pH values between 6.5 and 7 can be a favorable environment for biofilm formation in irrigation systems.
Problems Biofilm Creates for Growers in Their Irrigation Systems
Biofilm is a problem that will occur in any type of farming system, whether it’s soil-based, a greenhouse environment, or a hydroponic setup. As a grower, you must pay special attention to biofilm development because if it’s not treated, you can experience the following issues.
Clogs Irrigation Emitters and Filters
One of the most frustrating issues growers face with biofilm development is the clogging of drip irrigation emitters. The biofilm tends to grow around the openings of systems, which stops the water from dripping. As a result, your crops won’t get the water they need, which can lead to root rot.
Biofilm can also clog your water filters and cause a series of problems, such as low flow rate and poorer water quality. In addition, biofilm and mineral buildup around pumps can restrict their capacity and lower water pressure. When this happens, water may struggle to move through the system efficiently. In severe cases, the reduced pressure prevents water from reaching the farthest parts of the irrigation network.
Increases the Risk of Pathegon Population
If you don’t tackle your biofilm problem, you may experience a risk of pathogen development. Biofilm is a haven for root cell pathogens like Pythium, which is one of the more serious diseases in greenhouse crops. The pathogen affects the root and stem of plants and can even cause seedling death.
Deprives Crops of Oxygen
Another concerning problem is that biofilm can deprive your crops of oxygen by depleting levels in your water system. This decrease in oxygen levels can be a breeding ground for Anaerobic bacteria and stops root growth over time.
Development of Plant Diseases
Since biofilm increases the development of harmful bacteria, these microorganisms can significantly damage your crops. Fungal biofilms can cause diseases such as mildews, blasts, and wilts. Our biofilm destroyer may be able to help you with this problem.
Why Eliminate Biofilm from Your System
As you can see, there are many problems you can face if you don’t eliminate biofilms in your irrigation system. This is especially true in hydroponically grown crops because it depletes natural nutrients from the water and increases infections in hydroponic lines. The consequences of not managing biofilms are:
- Loss of crops because of the spread of diseases and pathogens
- Decreased lifespan of irrigation system installations, as biofilm clogging can put stress on pumps
- Additional consumption of fertilisers and nutrients
- Higher costs as you’ll need frequent cleaning, flushing, or replacing of clogged parts
- Plants that receive insufficient irrigation or nutrient supply may suffer water stress, nutrient deficiency, poorer growth, and smaller yields.
The good news is that there is a way you can manage biofilm development in your irrigation water system. Products like Clear Flow use plant-based catalytic enzymes and trace minerals to clean irrigation systems.
The Clear Flow solution can restore system efficiency by breaking down biofilm and mineral deposits in irrigation lines, hydroponic channels, reservoirs, grow media, and plant roots when used correctly. We recommend using Clear Flow in new systems before problems arise, as the formula will prohibit biofilm buildup from occurring in the first place.
For deep cleaning or shock treatment, mix 10 mL of Clear Flow per gallon of water in your reservoir and run the system for one hour so the solution reaches all lines. Let it sit for 24–48 hours, then flush thoroughly. Older systems with heavy buildup may require two consecutive treatments.
After shock treatment, or in the case of a new system, continue or start with a maintenance protocol of adding 5mL per gallon for initial tank fill and at every top off. Clear Flow can be used in all setups, including direct to waste, injectors, reservoirs, or recirculation.
Tips to Remove Biofilm from Your Irrigation System
Prevention is always better than cure, but problems like biofilm development are inevitable in irrigation systems. To help you manage biofilm so that it doesn’t lead to serious problems, follow these easy steps:
- Inspect lines regularly: Watch for uneven water flow, dripper blockages, or visible slime, which are early signs of biofilm buildup.
- Flush lines frequently: Periodic flushing with clean water helps move out debris and reduces the chance of biofilm attaching to pipe walls.
- Maintain reservoirs: Empty and clean tanks on a routine schedule to prevent stagnant water, which encourages microbial growth.
- Ensure good oxygenation: Adequate dissolved oxygen in hydroponic systems supports healthy roots and discourages anaerobic biofilm formation.
- Clean grow media between cycles: Rinsing or replacing substrates between crops prevents old biofilm from carrying over.
- Use proper irrigation design: Avoid dead-ends or sharp bends in piping that slow water flow and allow buildup.
- Keep Clear Flow running in a clear system to prevent biofilm from occurring.
For growers who need a stronger solution to biograde organic buildup, including dead root material that clog systems, Clear Zona tackles these problems with a natural two-part system of catalytic enzymes and beneficial microbes. The enzymes break down organic plant material so microbes can digest it, and in turn, restore clean water flow and healthier roots.
To use Clear Zona as a shock treatment, apply the recommended dose to tanks or reservoirs, circulate for 24 hours, then flush lines and emitters. In grow media and root zones, use with each watering or nutrient cycle. Always shake before mixing, add equal parts A and B, and maintain circulation for effectiveness.
For best results, Clear Zona should not be used just as a one-time shock but as part of ongoing system maintenance. Keep it circulating to prevent buildup and blockages from developing.
Final Thoughts – Degrade Biofilm With Clear Zona and Clear Flow
Keeping irrigation systems clean requires safe, consistent management. Clear Flow addresses biofilm and mineral buildup by gradually removing layers over time, not stripping everything at once, which makes shock treatments especially valuable for older systems.
Once cleared, growers can maintain flow by adding Clear Flow with each top-off. Clear Zona has an enzyme and microbial formula, that breaks down biofilm and organic debris in lines, reservoirs, and root zones, to help restore free water movement and healthier plant growth. Keep your irrigation systems clean using Clear Zona and Clear Flow regularly to prevent problems associated with biofilm buildup.