We have some new plant growth, but it is very tiny. the others around us seem to be at the same level. The top cup is starting to leak a little so we shut the machine down and were forced to make some changes. We removed both the top cup and the bottom lid. Then we applied hot glue around the bottom of the top cup and attached it to the bottom lid. After letting it dry we put the system back together and turned the water pump back on. The system doesn’t leak anymore.