Hygiene protocol

The ErfGoedFloor has been developed to water plants and drains excess water for optimal growth. In addition, the floor is ideal for regulating the microclimate around the plant. To make maximum use of these functions of the ErfGoedFloor, it is essential that you keep the floor clean. This hygiene protocol provides guidelines for cleaning the floor and keeping it clean. With sustainability in mind, we list the solutions below.

A constant struggle

For plants to grow optimally, sufficient moisture and temperature are needed. Two other essential growth factors are light and nutrition. Algae also thrive on these same four factors. Plant growth and algae growth, therefore, go hand in hand. For this reason, continued attention to algae control is inextricably linked to plant production. 

Struggle with Alggae
Measures to minimize algue, disease, weeds

A good start

When installing the ErfGoedFloor, we take several measures to minimize algae growth, disease, weeds and other contamination. For example, the patented top layer on the floor. There is also the filtering effect of the gravel layer in the floor. In addition, extra filters and sterilizers are sometimes used to prevent water contamination in the return silo. 

Water management

Good water management is of great importance. In most cases, 3 types of silos are used: 1) day supply, 2) return water and 3) clean water.

The water that returns from the cultivation floor is stored in the return silo (also called dirty water silo). The installation of a (sand) filter and/or sieve ensures that the return water is clean of particulates, especially in situations where "soil pots" are used. With certain crops, the water in the return silo has to be disinfected. This can be done by UV, heating or ozone. The clear (possibly disinfected) return water can be pumped to the silo for daily supply. 

We know from experience that approximately 85% of the water that goes into the ErfGoedFloor returns (depending on the crop/moisture of the pots, etc.). This means that approximately 15% of the water needs to be replenished, usually from the clean water silo.

Good water management in Horticulture

Preventive and curative control

Prevention is easier than a cure. This also applies to algae growth. Below are several preventive measures aimed at preventing/limiting algae growth. There are possibilities for a curative approach in the unlikely event of algae growth on the floor surface.

A preventive cleaning agent can be added to the water pumped to the floor. In consultation with a chemical supplier, the grower can choose the agent and the dosage. Our advice is to select a remedy with a long duration of action. Biological agents or copper are also options. Be sure to be well educated about the effect of the agents. Also, note that a combination of chemical and biological agents is not possible in most cases. 

fertilizers

1: Water flows

In many cases, the water from the day's supply is "seasoned", which means fertilizers are added to it from the fertilizer tanks (A, B, etc.). After that, a preventive agent can be added. It is crucial to do it in this order. So first flavor the water and only then add the preventive detergent!

The preventive detergent should not be added to the fertilizer tanks (A, B, etc.) but should be added last to the water that is pumped to the cultivation floor with a dosage pump.

2: Active water

In many cases, the water from the day's supply is "seasoned", which means fertilizers are added to it from the fertilizer tanks (A, B, etc.). After that, a preventive agent can be added. It is crucial to do it in this order. So first flavor the water and only then add the preventive detergent! The preventive detergent should not be added to the fertilizer tanks (A, B, etc.) but should be added last to the water that is pumped to the cultivation floor with a dosage pump.

3: To measure is to know!

Measuring the effects of the cleaning product is important. This starts with measuring the concentration when the water is pumped to the cultivation floor after adding the cleaning agent. In addition, it is important to test the water on the cultivation floor regularly. Is there still enough concentration in the water?

Finally, the concentration in the return water should also be tested. This allows there to be concentration measurements in the entire water cycle, and it can be determined whether sufficient preventive detergents have been added to the water. Our advice is to conduct testing yourself very regularly and have your supply company do this occasionally.

Measure water

Curative control

It is advisable to perform curative control after each crop. Even though it is not always visible, in many cases, contamination occurs. This curative approach has the following steps:

1. Remove coarse dirt from the floor (plant material, pots, sticks, packaging residue, etc.);
2. Allow the floor to dry;
3. Use a sweep-suction machine (Stefix 73 / Stefix 135) to remove soil debris and other organic material;
4. Moisten the floor;
5. Treat the floor with a patio cleaner that administers water at a temperature of up to 80 degrees.
6. Do this in conjunction with a scrub-brush machine whose vacuum sucks up the cleaning water and reopens the pores in the ground cloth completely; Finally, treat the floor with a broad-spectrum cleaning agent to ensure that all algae and contamination has been controlled.

IMG_0470IMG_0457P1010653 (2)

Note: Because ErfGoed is not involved in the way cleaning and disinfection are applied, our company is not liable for the effect of the agents applied. This hygiene protocol only provides advice and guidelines based on experience. We assume that the grower will make choices for means and dosage in consultation with his supplier.