Humboldt Nutrients ProZyme – 5 Gallon

Humboldt Nutrients ProZyme is an enzymatic growing-medium treatment concentrate containing over 80 different beneficial enzymes. It is specially developed for cleansing and treating all growing mediums by breaking down dead root mass, starches, and carbohydrates into forms plants can use directly. The 5-gallon size supplies enough concentrate for large-scale operations or multiple crop cycles without frequent reordering.

ProZyme Specifications

The specifications below are drawn from the supplier product listing at shophydrocity.com, the brand product page at humboldtnutrients.com/products/prozyme, the dlwholesale.com product description, and the feeding schedule published at marijuana-guides.com. ProZyme is classified as a non-plant-food growing-medium treatment and does not carry an NPK rating.

Specification	Value
Brand	Humboldt Nutrients
Product name	ProZyme
Hydrofarm item number	HNP420
Supplier SKU	837654466391
Classification	Non-plant-food growing-medium treatment (enzyme concentrate)
NPK / Guaranteed analysis	Not applicable — not a fertilizer or nutrient product
Enzyme count	Over 80 different beneficial enzyme species
Product form	Liquid concentrate; dark-colored biological solution
Volume (this size)	5 gallons (18.93 liters)
Shipping weight	50 lbs
Standard application rate	5–10 ml per gallon of water or nutrient solution
Cutting media rate	5 ml per gallon (soak for rockwool cubes or plugs)
Feeding schedule	Weeks 1–8: 5 ml/L — Weeks 9–11: 10 ml/L — Week 12: 0 ml/L (flush)
Available sizes	1 Qt, 1 Gal, 2.5 Gal, 5 Gal, 15 Gal
Compatible growing media	Soil, coco coir, rockwool, hydroponic systems
Compatible with	All standard nutrients, rooting compounds, and fertilizing programs

Why Choose ProZyme

The points below are drawn from the product descriptions at shophydrocity.com, dlwholesale.com, and humboldtnutrients.com, and from the research document for this product. They describe what differentiates ProZyme from other enzyme products for growers evaluating root-zone treatments.

• Over 80 distinct enzyme species in a single concentrate. The formulation contains more than 80 different beneficial enzymes, a figure that Humboldt Nutrients and distributor listings consistently cite. Most enzyme products on the market focus on a narrower set of catalytic functions. Having 80+ enzyme species means the concentrate can accelerate a wider range of biochemical reactions in the root zone simultaneously: breaking down proteins, starches, carbohydrates, and dead organic matter through complementary enzymatic pathways rather than a single mechanism. This breadth of enzymatic activity is the primary technical differentiator of ProZyme.
• Dark color as a marker of enzymatic concentration. ProZyme’s formulation is dark-colored, in contrast to the clear appearance of competing enzyme products such as Hygrozyme and SLF-100. According to the dlwholesale.com product description, the dark color indicates a higher enzymatic species count compared to competing clear enzyme concentrates. Growers who have used multiple enzyme products often note this visible difference. While color alone does not determine efficacy, it is a consistent indicator that the raw enzyme material density in ProZyme is higher than in sterile clear-solution products.
• Non-plant-food classification eliminates fertilizer burn risk. ProZyme is classified as a non-plant-food growing-medium treatment, not a fertilizer. It contains no nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium and does not contribute to EC load in the nutrient solution. This means it can be used throughout the crop cycle—including during flush or low-EC periods—without risk of over-fertilization. For growers running sensitive cultivars or late-cycle flush protocols, this classification is a meaningful operational advantage.
• Universal media compatibility reduces product switching costs. ProZyme is confirmed compatible with soil, coco coir, rockwool, and recirculating hydroponic systems, and works alongside all standard nutrients, rooting compounds, and fertilizing programs. Growers do not need to reformulate their existing nutrient program to use ProZyme. Whether a grower is running a soil-based organic program, a coco drip system, or a deep water culture reservoir, ProZyme integrates without requiring a separate enzyme product for each medium.
• Designed for root zone cleansing across the full crop cycle. The feeding schedule runs from Week 1 through Week 11 at escalating doses, covering both the vegetative and flowering stages. This means ProZyme is not just a problem-response treatment applied when root issues appear—it is intended as a preventive measure used continuously to keep the root zone clear of dead organic matter that would otherwise become a substrate for anaerobic bacteria or pathogens. The Week 12 flush phase is explicitly included in the published schedule, reinforcing the approach of root zone maintenance rather than rescue.

Best Uses for ProZyme

The use cases below are derived from the product’s classification as a growing-medium treatment, its compatibility list, the published feeding schedule, and the mechanism of action described in distributor and brand sources.

• Recirculating hydroponic system maintenance. In DWC, NFT, ebb-and-flow, and drip-to-waste systems, dead root material that accumulates in the reservoir or on root mass creates conditions favorable to anaerobic bacteria and root pathogens such as Pythium. ProZyme’s enzyme blend breaks this material down continuously, keeping the root zone clean and maintaining oxygen availability. Apply at 5 ml/L from Week 1 through Week 8, then increase to 10 ml/L for Weeks 9–11. This is the environment where enzyme treatment delivers the most visible benefit, because the recirculating water carries any breakdown byproducts away from the root mass quickly.
• Soil and coco coir root zone treatment. In soil and coco media, dead roots and organic residues accumulate between feeding cycles and can impede the movement of fresh solution through the substrate. ProZyme’s enzymes convert these into plant-available compounds, improving substrate permeability and reducing nutrient lockout risk over the course of a long crop cycle. For growers running heavy root-zone additives like beneficial microbe inoculants—such as Advanced Nutrients Tarantula—ProZyme’s dead-organic breakdown provides the substrate those microbes need to thrive.
• Cutting media preparation (rockwool and plug pre-soak). Before inserting cuttings into rockwool cubes or propagation plugs, the cutting media can be pre-soaked in a ProZyme solution at 5 ml per gallon of plain water. This treatment cleans any organic residues from the media surface and prepares a biologically receptive environment for root initiation. This specific use case is documented in the product application notes and makes ProZyme useful from the very first stage of a crop cycle, not just once plants are established.
• Between-crop growing medium cleaning and reset. Growers who reuse coco coir, rockwool slabs, or other substrates between crops can use a ProZyme flush to break down root residues, dead cells, and organic buildup before introducing new seedlings. The enzyme action converts residual material into forms that drain or flush out easily, reducing the pathogen load that carries over from one crop to the next. This is particularly useful in commercial environments where substrate replacement costs are significant.
• Complement to any existing nutrient program. Because ProZyme is a non-plant-food treatment with no NPK contribution, it can be added to virtually any base nutrient program without altering the planned nutrient ratios or EC targets. Growers using carbohydrate-heavy additives like Earth Juice Hi-Brix Molasses alongside ProZyme benefit from the enzyme activity breaking down excess sugars in the root zone that might otherwise feed unwanted microbial populations.
• Large-scale commercial production. The 5-gallon (18.93 L) format is sized for operations where buying smaller bottles is impractical. At 5–10 ml per gallon of solution, the 5-gallon container provides approximately 2,400–4,800 individual gallon-doses, covering multi-room facilities, large reservoir systems, or multiple consecutive crop cycles without the logistics overhead of frequent small-container purchases.

ProZyme vs Hygrozyme

Hygrozyme is one of the most widely used enzyme additives in hydroponic growing and the most direct comparator for ProZyme. Both products are liquid enzyme concentrates designed to break down organic material in the root zone, and both are intended for use throughout the crop cycle. The differences lie in formulation approach, enzyme diversity, and visual characteristics.

Humboldt Nutrients ProZyme (this product): Contains over 80 different beneficial enzyme species in a dark-colored liquid concentrate. The dark coloration is attributed by Humboldt Nutrients and distributor sources to a higher density of enzymatic material. ProZyme is classified as a non-plant-food growing-medium treatment. It uses a broad-spectrum enzymatic approach: 80+ enzyme species cover a wide range of substrate-breakdown reactions, from carbohydrate and starch hydrolysis to dead root mass decomposition. Application rate is 5–10 ml per gallon, with a graduated schedule starting at 5 ml/L and increasing to 10 ml/L in weeks 9–11. It is not marketed as sterile.

Hygrozyme (comparator): Hygrozyme is a sterile, concentrated enzyme product formulated with a focused set of enzymes—primarily cellulase, xylanase, hemicellulase, and beta-glucanase—in a clear solution. The sterile formulation is a selling point for growers concerned about introducing live microbes into sensitive system environments. Hygrozyme’s enzyme set is specifically selected for breaking down dead root cellulose and hemicellulose. It is widely used as a reservoir and system cleaner in addition to root zone maintenance. The clear appearance reflects a narrower range of enzymatic compounds compared to ProZyme’s dark concentrate.

Key trade-offs:

• ProZyme’s 80+ enzyme species offers broader biochemical coverage; Hygrozyme’s focused sterile formulation is purpose-built for cellulose and hemicellulose breakdown in a contamination-controlled environment.
• Hygrozyme’s sterile formulation is preferred in very clean recirculating systems where introducing non-sterile biological material is a concern. ProZyme is not marketed as sterile.
• ProZyme’s dark color indicates higher enzymatic species density according to distributor documentation; Hygrozyme’s clear color reflects a more refined, narrowly formulated product.
• Both products are compatible with soil, coco, rockwool, and hydroponic systems, and both can be stacked with nutrient programs without adding NPK to the solution.
• ProZyme is available in sizes up to 15 gallons, making it more practical for large commercial operations. Hygrozyme is also available in commercial sizes.
• Growers who prefer a documented, minimalist enzyme set in a sterile carrier may lean toward Hygrozyme. Growers who want the broadest enzymatic spectrum and are comfortable with a biological (non-sterile) formulation may prefer ProZyme.

Neither product replaces the other universally. The choice depends on system type, sensitivity to biological inputs, and how broad a spectrum of enzymatic activity the grower wants to maintain in the root zone.

Compatibility & Operating Range

The compatibility information below is drawn from the product descriptions at shophydrocity.com and dlwholesale.com, the feeding schedule at marijuana-guides.com, and the Humboldt Nutrients brand documentation.

Growing media: ProZyme is confirmed compatible with all common growing media: soil, coco coir, rockwool, clay pebbles, perlite, vermiculite, and any standard hydroponic substrate. It is also suitable for pre-treating propagation media such as rockwool cubes and plugs at the cutting preparation stage. The enzyme activity functions in both aerobic soil environments and the root zones of recirculating hydroponic systems.

Nutrient program compatibility: ProZyme is compatible with all standard nutrients, all rooting compounds, and all fertilizing programs. Because it is a non-plant-food treatment with no NPK content, it does not alter the nutrient balance or EC contribution of any base or additive program it is combined with. It can be added to the reservoir at any point in the mixing sequence after base nutrients have been dissolved. Growers running heavy additive stacks—including microbe inoculants, root stimulants, and carbohydrate supplements—can incorporate ProZyme without reformulating their program.

System types: ProZyme is suitable for all hydroponic system configurations including deep water culture (DWC), recirculating deep water culture (RDWC), nutrient film technique (NFT), ebb-and-flow (flood and drain), drip irrigation (both recirculating and drain-to-waste), and aeroponics. In soil and coco, it is applied as a root drench diluted in the feed solution. In systems with shared reservoirs, the enzyme activity continues between feeding cycles as long as solution temperature is within a normal growing range.

Feeding schedule range: The published schedule runs from Week 1 through Week 11, covering both vegetative and flowering stages of a typical 12-week crop cycle. Week 12 is the flush week, during which ProZyme and all other additives are discontinued. This long application window makes ProZyme a consistent fixture in a weekly feeding chart rather than a short-window additive.

Concentration and storage: ProZyme is a liquid concentrate that should be stored in a sealed container at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and extreme heat. Shake or stir before each use to ensure the enzymatic content is evenly distributed. As with all biological enzyme concentrates, do not pre-dilute and store; prepare solutions fresh for each feeding cycle. The 5-gallon container has sufficient volume to last through multiple crop cycles in large-scale facilities.

Stacking with root-health products: Growers running dedicated root-colonizing products such as Heavy 16 Roots alongside ProZyme benefit from a complementary approach: ProZyme breaks down dead organic material that would otherwise impede colonization, while root-stimulating products support live root development. These two product types address different aspects of root zone health and can be used concurrently.

Dosing Guidelines

The dosing information below is drawn from the feeding schedule published at marijuana-guides.com and the application rate data confirmed at shophydrocity.com and dlwholesale.com. Humboldt Nutrients recommends starting at reduced dosages and gradually increasing to the recommended levels to allow the root zone to acclimate to enzymatic activity.

Standard application rate: 5–10 ml per gallon of water or nutrient solution. This range accommodates both early-cycle lower-dose application and the higher-dose phase in weeks 9–11.

Cutting media pre-soak: 5 ml per gallon of plain water. Used when pre-treating rockwool cubes or propagation plugs before inserting cuttings. This is a single-use preparatory application, not a recurring feed.

Weekly feeding schedule:

• Weeks 1–8: 5 ml per liter of nutrient solution. This covers the vegetative stage and the early to mid flowering period. At this dose, ProZyme maintains steady enzymatic activity in the root zone without oversaturating the medium.
• Weeks 9–11: 10 ml per liter of nutrient solution. The dose doubles in the final weeks before flush to increase enzymatic breakdown activity as root mass turnover accelerates toward the end of the crop cycle. This elevated dose prepares the root zone for a clean flush by converting accumulated dead material into soluble forms.
• Week 12: 0 ml (flush). All additives including ProZyme are discontinued during the final flush week. Plain pH-adjusted water or a dedicated flush solution is used to clear the root zone and substrate of residual nutrients and enzymatic material before harvest.

Dose calculation guide:

• At 5 ml/L: a 100 L reservoir requires 500 ml of concentrate per feeding.
• At 10 ml/L: a 100 L reservoir requires 1,000 ml (1 L) of concentrate per feeding.
• The 5-gallon (18,930 ml) container provides approximately 37 full 500-ml doses at the 5 ml/L rate, or about 18 full 1,000-ml doses at the 10 ml/L rate for a 100 L reservoir.
• For smaller systems (10–20 L reservoirs), the 5-gallon container is a multi-cycle supply suitable for commercial or multi-tent operations.

Measuring and adding concentrate: Use a calibrated syringe or graduated measuring cup to measure ProZyme before adding to the reservoir. Do not estimate by eye. Add the measured concentrate to the reservoir while the circulation pump is running or while stirring actively. ProZyme mixes readily into nutrient solution and does not require special pre-mixing. Measure EC before and after adding ProZyme; because ProZyme contains no plant nutrients, EC contribution from ProZyme addition is negligible.

Gradual introduction: For growers using ProZyme for the first time, Humboldt Nutrients recommends starting at a reduced dosage (below 5 ml/L) and gradually increasing to the full recommended rate over the first one to two weeks. This allows the grower to observe how the root zone responds before committing to full-dose application.

How to Set Up ProZyme in Your Feeding Schedule

The steps below describe integrating ProZyme into an existing nutrient program from initial preparation through the Week 12 flush. These steps are adapted from the product application notes, the published feeding schedule, and standard practice for enzyme additive use in hydroponic and soil production.

1. Identify your Week 1 start point. ProZyme is applied beginning in Week 1 of the crop cycle, which for most growers begins when seedlings or rooted cuttings are transplanted into the final growing medium. If you are also pre-treating cutting media, prepare a separate 5 ml per gallon pre-soak solution for rockwool cubes or plugs before this step, then discard that solution and prepare fresh nutrient solution for Week 1 feeding.
2. Shake the ProZyme concentrate before each use. Enzyme concentrates can stratify during storage. Shake the container vigorously for 15–30 seconds before measuring each dose. Do not use concentrate that cannot be re-homogenized by shaking.
3. Mix your base nutrient solution first. Follow your normal nutrient mixing sequence: base nutrients, then pH adjustment, then supplements and additives. ProZyme is added as one of the final additives after the base solution is complete. Measure EC after the base nutrients are fully dissolved before adding ProZyme.
4. Measure ProZyme at 5 ml per liter for Weeks 1–8. Use a calibrated syringe or measuring cup. If you are new to ProZyme, start at a reduced rate (2–3 ml/L) for the first week and increase to the full 5 ml/L dose in Week 2. Add the measured concentrate to the reservoir while the pump is circulating or while stirring.
5. Verify pH and EC after adding ProZyme. Check solution pH and adjust as needed for your system type (typically 5.8–6.2 for hydroponic, 6.0–6.5 for soil/coco). Because ProZyme is a non-plant-food product with no ionic mineral content, it should not significantly alter EC or pH. If pH shifts more than expected, check for contamination of the concentrate or a mixing sequence error.
6. Increase dose to 10 ml per liter for Weeks 9–11. At the start of Week 9, double the ProZyme dose to 10 ml/L. Continue applying at this rate through the end of Week 11. This elevated dose accelerates breakdown of the increased dead root material typical of late-cycle production and helps prepare the root zone for the final flush.
7. Discontinue ProZyme at Week 12 (flush week). During the final flush, apply only plain pH-adjusted water or a dedicated flush solution. Remove ProZyme and all other additives from the mixing sequence for this week. Flush with sufficient volume to clear residual compounds from the root zone and substrate before harvest.
8. Clean equipment after each use. Rinse measuring syringes, mixing containers, and any pump or drip components that handled ProZyme solution with clean water after each use. Enzyme products can leave residue in tubing and emitters if left to dry; flushing with water immediately after use extends equipment life.

Sources & Further Reading