ICE TUBE BY THE METRE

Description

Ice Tube by the Metre is a specialised water chilling tube system for use in hydroponic reservoirs, nutrient tanks, and recirculating systems where maintaining a low, stable water temperature is critical for plant root health and system performance. Ice Tube coils copper or aluminium tubing through which chilled water or ice water is circulated, drawing heat from the surrounding nutrient solution through direct contact conduction — lowering reservoir temperature without diluting or contaminating the nutrient solution itself.

Why Nutrient Solution Temperature Matters

Root zone temperature is one of the most important and most commonly overlooked parameters in hydroponic growing. The ideal nutrient solution temperature for most crops is between 18°C and 22°C. At these temperatures, dissolved oxygen content is high, root metabolism is optimal, and the conditions are unfavourable for the anaerobic water moulds — particularly Pythium — that cause root rot. When reservoir temperatures rise above 22°C — easily reached in summer UK grow rooms with active lighting systems — dissolved oxygen drops, plant roots become stressed, and Pythium and other root pathogens thrive. Plants growing in overheated nutrient solution show sluggish growth, nutrient deficiency symptoms, and wilting even when solution EC and pH are correct. Cooling the reservoir back into the optimal range restores performance rapidly. We have been advising UK growers on reservoir temperature management since 2017 — it is one of the most impactful interventions available for hydroponic growers struggling with summer growing performance.

How to Use Ice Tube

Ice Tube is sold by the metre, allowing you to purchase exactly the length required for your reservoir or system configuration. Coil the tube through your reservoir, connect it to a source of chilled water (a separate chiller unit, or a simple ice-water reservoir for smaller systems), and circulate the chilled water through the tube to draw heat out of the nutrient solution. The tube material is food-safe, nutrient-compatible, and durable for continuous immersion use. Combine with a water chiller pump for a fully automated temperature control system.