Cleaning MistKing Nozzles - Orchid Board

isurus79 · #1 03-17-2013, 05:04 PM

So I got home today and realized that my well for the mistking had run dry and when I filled it up and ran the water, the nozzles had a very sad spray.

How do I clean these things? They are the plastic ones, so I don't know if a there is a specific way I can get the gunk out.

Gail · #2 03-19-2013, 11:46 AM

Vinegar is often used to remove that kind of "gunk" - 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water. Soak overnight and give a swish occassionaly.

AuGrower · #3 03-19-2013, 11:47 AM

I have had a similar problem with my setup. I take the outgoing line out of the pump off and let the pump run. While it is still running reattach the line. Make sure you place a towel under the pump because it will dribble a good bit of water out. Always pushes what ever is causing the problem out.

isurus79 · #4 03-19-2013, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gail

Vinegar is often used to remove that kind of "gunk" - 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water. Soak overnight and give a swish occassionaly.

Ok, this is what I will have to do then, thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by AuGrower

I have had a similar problem with my setup. I take the outgoing line out of the pump off and let the pump run. While it is still running reattach the line. Make sure you place a towel under the pump because it will dribble a good bit of water out. Always pushes what ever is causing the problem out.

I might as well do this while I'm at it too! Thanks for the tip!

isurus79 · #5 03-24-2013, 06:22 PM

FYI- I got a hold of Marty and he mentioned that I should soak the nozzles in water and vinegar. I did that, then I flushed the lines and everything works like new!

Gail · #6 03-24-2013, 07:09 PM

Well done, Steve. Vinegar is a good cleaner for certain types (mostly benign in general) of build up without using the really nasty chemicals.

stonedragonfarms · #7 03-28-2013, 03:12 AM

Out of curiosity, are you running your misters with hard water or fertilized water?
Adam

isurus79 · #8 03-28-2013, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stonedragonfarms

Out of curiosity, are you running your misters with hard water or fertilized water?
Adam

I actually use RO water with a pH of 5.6, but I do add some liquid cal/mag to the mix. I also add some worm tea which may have tiny particulates in it. I think letting the well run dry may have allowed some crystallization around the nozzles.

ALToronto · #9 03-28-2013, 10:36 PM

Steve, I have a MistKing as well. I made my own sediment filter by taking a small piece of window screen and a same-size piece of a cheap furnace filter cloth (expensive stuff is too dense). About 1.5" square for both materials, I took the filter cloth from the margin of a furnace filter that I later used in the furnace.

You layer both materials, and with the screen towards the tubing, wrap them carefully around the tube end. Twist the excess folds in the same direction, making sure that the part covering the tube opening is flat against it. Then carefully tie a small zip tie (or cable tie) around the circumference of the tube, holding in all the folds. Photo below.

I have to clean the filter every 2-3 days (used to be daily until I switched to RO water). Just run a small stream of tap water through the screen, out the filter side, and gently work the folds with your fingers to release the sediment. I don't remove the zip tie, just squeeze the tube back into it.

isurus79 · #10 03-28-2013, 11:15 PM

Wow, that is pretty ingenious! While I don't think there is a furnace within a few states of my location, you definitely gave me some ideas about making a filter. I think its something I need to do so I don't constantly have to clean the nozzles. Do you worry about any anti-fungal chemicals in the furnace filter that might hurt your orchids?