What is Hydro Halo used for?
Hydro Halo is a circular drip irrigation ring that evenly waters round pots by delivering nutrients or water through multiple small outlets. It helps prevent dry pockets and channeling, making it ideal for large pots and growers who want consistent root-zone moisture.
What size Hydro Halo should I choose?
Choose based on your pot size: 6" for small pots, 9" for medium, and 12" for large pots (20L to 90L). Using a smaller ring in a big pot can still work early in the grow, but larger pots benefit from a wider wet zone as roots expand.
What types of systems and media does Hydro Halo work with?
Hydro Halo works with hydro, coco, soil, peat, perlite, and clay pebbles. It's suitable for run-to-waste, recirculating, and hand-feed systems, and can be used in plastic, fabric, or air-pruning pots with either water or nutrient solution.
What kind of tubing connects to Hydro Halo?
Hydro Halo typically connects to standard 13mm (½") irrigation tubing. Secure it with a clamp or tight push-fit. It’s not designed for 4mm microtube without adapters, and gravity-fed setups may not provide enough pressure for even output.
Does Hydro Halo drip or spray?
It delivers a gentle stream or drip from multiple outlets, depending on your system pressure. Proper flow ensures even distribution—low pressure may cause uneven watering, and high pressure can oversaturate your medium.
Will Hydro Halo work with my submersible pump?
Yes, as long as your pump can supply enough flow and pressure to feed the ring evenly. If multiple rings are running, use inline valves to balance flow between pots and avoid flooding one while starving another.
Does Hydro Halo come with legs, and how should I position it?
Yes—it includes adjustable legs to raise or lower the ring. Raising it widens the watering pattern; lowering it targets the root zone more directly. Position the ring near the active roots—not right on the stem or the pot edge. Keep it level for even flow.
Can Hydro Halo clog, and how do I keep it clean?
It can clog from organics, sediment, or biofilm. Prevent this by filtering your reservoir, avoiding thick teas, and flushing lines regularly. To clean, flush with clean water, soak if needed, and avoid letting debris dry inside. Store clean and dry between runs.
Can I use Hydro Halo with organic nutrients or compost teas?
You can, but organic nutrients and teas increase the chance of buildup and clogging. If you use them, flush more often and monitor for reduced output or uneven flow. Cleaner mineral feeds are lower maintenance.
How do I prevent overwatering with Hydro Halo?
Hydro Halo spreads water evenly, so if your schedule is too aggressive, the whole pot will stay too wet. Start with short irrigation cycles and adjust based on your plant's needs, dry-back time, and runoff levels.
Can Hydro Halo be used for seedlings or small plants?
Yes, but it may be overkill early on. Use shorter irrigation times or a smaller ring to avoid oversaturating the medium when roots are still shallow. You can also delay using it until plants are established.
Will Hydro Halo disturb mulch, top-dress, or cover crops?
If pressure is high, it might shift mulch or top layers. Lower the pressure, raise the ring slightly, or adjust duration. Hydro Halo can work well with top-dress and cover crops when flow is tuned properly.
Does Hydro Halo help reduce fungus gnats?
Indirectly, yes. By preventing soggy patches and keeping top layers evenly moist—not soaked—you reduce the damp zones where gnats breed. Top-layer dryness and consistent watering are key to gnat control.
Can Hydro Halo be used outdoors and is it UV-resistant?
Yes—Hydro Halo is suitable for outdoor use. Its materials are generally UV-resistant, but like all irrigation components, keeping it out of constant, harsh sun will extend its life. Rinse and store dry when not in use.
What’s the most common mistake with Hydro Halo?
Running too many rings off one line without using balancing valves. This causes uneven watering—first pots flood, last pots barely drip. Use inline valves to adjust flow for each ring and get even output across your system.
