Mold or build up on Coco?

[stoneypenguin]

I have noticed recently there is a thin layer of white on the top of my coco. Has anyone noticed anything like this before? Im not sure if its some type of mold or build up showing on the surface. Flushing doesnt seem to affect it.

Tried to take pictures but the camera doesnt show it well. Will try a different camera soon.

 

[pontiac]

It's salt deposits (build-up). I'm having the same problem in my rockwool right now.

It's quite harmless at first, but eventually the deposits may start dissolving back into the res, causing the TDS to sharply rise. The best thing to do would be to use less nutes if this happens, and clearex/florakleen the system for several hours on the next flush.

EDIT- This also happens in potted situations too, but it's less troublesome than in hydroponics.

 

[stoneypenguin]

It's salt deposits (build-up). I'm having the same problem in my rockwool right now.

It's quite harmless at first, but eventually the deposits may start dissolving back into the res, causing the TDS to sharply rise. The best thing to do would be to use less nutes if this happens, and clearex/florakleen the system for several hours on the next flush.

EDIT- This also happens in potted situations too, but it's less troublesome than in hydroponics.

Thanks, was afraid I had some weird mold growing in there. I have florakleen that I usually only use before harvest, so I will give that a shot next time.

 

[theHIGHlander]

i get this every now and then bro,,just scrape it off and put and new layer off coco on top.....are you keeping the coco moist/wet? , i find that if you let the top layer dry out this is when you get a build up off salt,,try to keep it moist...... just keep it mind COCO IS NOT LIKE SOIL, keep it moist with planty of fresh air

scrape that shit off the top layer, then top up with new coco,,then flush,,all will come good...

keep it green
highlander

 

[thepike1984]

I have noticed recently there is a thin layer of white on the top of my coco. Has anyone noticed anything like this before? Im not sure if its some type of mold or build up showing on the surface. Flushing doesnt seem to affect it.

Tried to take pictures but the camera doesnt show it well. Will try a different camera soon.

Im having same problem bro. No matter how much i flush the salt wont dissapear. Iv posted about this aswell. Check out the thread. http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=125814 you might get some insight on it there. I hav a couple of pics on page 3. Check them out. Does it look like the problem your having?

Pike

 

[Bush Dr]

I think you'll find the reason you can't flush it is it's calcium carbonate and that's not soluble in water

When hard water is treated (pH down) the calcium bicarbonate precipitates out as calcium carbonate, chalk

In itself not really bad but it could react with fresh feed and hold other chemicals back

As it's a physical deposit you have to scrape it off or better still put a layer of hydrotons on top to let the deposit form there ........ plus reduce evaporation

 

[thepike1984]

I think you'll find the reason you can't flush it is it's calcium carbonate and that's not soluble in water

When hard water is treated (pH down) the calcium bicarbonate precipitates out as calcium carbonate, chalk

In itself not really bad but it could react with fresh feed and hold other chemicals back

As it's a physical deposit you have to scrape it off or better still put a layer of hydrotons on top to let the deposit form there ........ plus reduce evaporation

One of my good friends said this could be the case. You hav just confirmed it for me. Im not gonna worry about it and just scrape it out. Thanks for the advise

Pike

 

[stoneypenguin]

i get this every now and then bro,,just scrape it off and put and new layer off coco on top.....are you keeping the coco moist/wet? , i find that if you let the top layer dry out this is when you get a build up off salt,,try to keep it moist...... just keep it mind COCO IS NOT LIKE SOIL, keep it moist with planty of fresh air

scrape that shit off the top layer, then top up with new coco,,then flush,,all will come good...

keep it green
highlander

I think you'll find the reason you can't flush it is it's calcium carbonate and that's not soluble in water

When hard water is treated (pH down) the calcium bicarbonate precipitates out as calcium carbonate, chalk

In itself not really bad but it could react with fresh feed and hold other chemicals back

As it's a physical deposit you have to scrape it off or better still put a layer of hydrotons on top to let the deposit form there ........ plus reduce evaporation

Great info guys, exactly what I needed to know. Thanks again.

 

[thepike1984]

or better still put a layer of hydrotons on top to let the deposit form there ........ plus reduce evaporation

Would clay pebbles do the trick? Or does it need to be hydrotons?

 

[Bush Dr]

Hydrotons are expanded Clay pebbles so Yes ..... lava rock works well too, you also gain an extra 1/2" of root zone as the roots grow up to the top once protected

 

[stoneypenguin]

I used to have Hydroton on top before, but Ive heard that this can effect the PH of your feed. Not sure if this is true or not, never tested it. But since they wernt stopping my fungus gnats (my original reason for using them) I just scraped them off to be safe.