Hydroponic Root Rot Prevention: The Complete System Hygiene Guide
Home > Hydroponic Maintenance > Hydroponic Root Rot Prevention: The Complete System Hygiene Guide Last Updated: July 11, 2026 | Fact Checked By: Current Gardening Editorial Team Quick Answer: How to Prevent Root Rot Root rot (Pythium) is caused by a lack of dissolved oxygen in the water. The warmer the water, the less oxygen it can hold. To permanently prevent root rot, you must keep your reservoir water temperature strictly below 70°F (21°C) using a mechanical water chiller, block 100% of light leaks from entering the reservoir, and run heavy aeration (large air stones). As an added insurance policy, inject the system with a beneficial bacteria supplement like Hydroguard…