SNS Hydrobiotics Irrigation Line Cleaner for Drip and Reservoir Systems
SNS Hydrobiotics comes from Sierra Natural Science, a California maker of natural crop inputs. It works with living lactic acid cultures rather than harsh oxidizers. The ingredient list is short: purified water, proprietary lactic acid cultures and molasses. The cultures feed on the organic films and deposits that build up inside irrigation hardware. Over repeat applications that buildup loosens and flushes out with the water. Targets include drip lines, drip emitters, sprinkler nozzles, tank lines and reservoirs. The concentrate is a dark liquid with a sweet smell and a pH of about 3.5. It mixes fully with water and has a specific gravity of 1. Sierra Natural Science lists a zero-day REI, so it can go through the system right up to harvest. The maker says it is safe around children and pets when used as directed. It is also listed for use in organic production. Sierra Natural Science adds that cleaner lines can help nutrient uptake. This listing is the 5 gallon size.
How to Run a Drip Line Cleaner Program
Shake the container well before every use. For greenhouse and small drip systems, add 1 ounce per 50 feet of drip or sprinkler line. Feed it through the fertilizer port or straight into the reservoir. Add it at the end of an irrigation cycle so it sits in the lines until the next one. For crop watering tanks and reservoirs, mix 1 ounce per gallon and let it blend before irrigating. Field sprinkler and drip systems take 2 to 6 quarts per acre of irrigation. Repeat every 7 to 10 days until the system runs at full performance. Heavy buildup may take several rounds before lines run clean. It can go in alongside fertilizers, but run a jar test before mixing with other products. Wear eye protection and gloves when handling the concentrate. Store it in a cool, dry place away from heat or open flame. Do not reuse the container, and recycle it where facilities exist.
Key Features
- Lactic Acid Cultures: Living cultures break down organic films and deposits.
- Simple Ingredients: Purified water, lactic acid cultures and molasses.
- Zero-Day REI: Can run through the system up to harvest.
- Organic Production: Listed for use in organic growing programs.
- Low Rates: 1 ounce per 50 feet of drip line or per gallon of reservoir water.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | Sierra Natural Science |
| Ingredients | Purified water, proprietary lactic acid cultures, molasses |
| Appearance | Dark liquid, sweet odor |
| pH | About 3.5 |
| Specific Gravity | 1 |
| Greenhouse Drip Lines | 1 oz per 50 ft of line, at end of irrigation cycle |
| Tanks and Reservoirs | 1 oz per gallon |
| Field Irrigation | 2-6 quarts per acre |
| Frequency | Every 7-10 days |
| REI | 0 days |
| Size | 5 gallons |