Problems

Short answer: keep light out of the solution. Algae need light to grow, so an opaque container, a covered lid and covered gaps around the net cup will stop it. Why algae is a problem It competes with your plant for nutrients. Its daytime photosynthesis can push pH up....

Short answer: look at which leaves are yellow. Yellow older leaves usually mean the plant is short of a mobile nutrient such as nitrogen. Pale new leaves usually mean an immobile nutrient such as iron is not being absorbed, often because pH is too high. Older, lower...