Brown algae, what the best remedy?

[slowandeasy]

So I have a clone and I see some brown algae collecting on the roots. Just started a day ago. Have had it before, very mild...but thought it was from the FloraNova Bloom. Now I am using Maxi Bloom and just started feeding the clone. This just started and is not bad, yet...but I want to knock it out ASAP. So anyone have some suggestions? BTW, lots of air and temps are below 70. It possibly could be root rot starting instead. Doing DWC and have never had this problem in 10 years. And it is not the slime, just brown. I have seen the slime on someone elses setup a year ago, much different.

 

[elito]

do u have any light leaks

 

[slowandeasy]

nope, dont think so. If I were to guess it was from not cleaning the bucket good enough. It just started, and is not bad...yet.

 

[fatigues]

Physan 20; hands down.

See the thread here.

nope, dont think so. If I were to guess it was from not cleaning the bucket good enough. It just started, and is not bad...yet.

Yes. You do have light leaks. Algae won't grow without it. So you most definitely have some light getting into your rez, tubing, pump, netpot...something.

My guess is the netpot, for starters. Cover it up top with a hole for the stem and that's it. Do not assume that your hydroton or other medium is blocking the light because it probably is not. After that? Look to your air hose too.

Anyways, it is a certainty that if you have algae, it is there because of some element of your light-proofing that you have overlooked or thought was lightproof but, in fact, is not. It doesn't take much light but you really must assume that there is something that you have missed. It isn't always easy to determine and this can make it devilishly difficult to get rid of it.

But, for all that, the brown algae dragon slayer is Physan 20. If you have it - it will kill it. Guaranteed.

 

[slowandeasy]

Read alot of the slime thread. It is not the SNOT. More like a root rot. Dont use net pots, and use black hose and foil tape everything else. It is possible to have light coming in from somewhere, and will make sure. But might even just junk it, it is only 1 clone just starting to eat. Can always take more. May try something for root rot, for the heck of it.

 

[Wait...What?]

algae is green

brown slime in your res is calcium. c'mon, people, you know better than that.

 

[slowandeasy]

algae is green

brown slime in your res is calcium. c'mon, people, you know better than that.

Wait...What? are you talking about? Obviously you know nothing about hydro. I never said I had slime, but there is such a thing. And there is brown algae. c'mon Algae is not just green, if you had a pool you would know this.

 

[elito]

i read that brown algae grows in low light conditions,try searching the aquarium forums they probably know more about this

 

[chytil151]

are you using any kind of organics In your mix? nothing besides the maxibloom and floranova?

 

[slowandeasy]

i read that brown algae grows in low light conditions,try searching the aquarium forums they probably know more about this

That would make sense, the clone is under 26 watts cfl. Just going to scrap it. Will just take more clones, not worth trying to fix one little clone. But I still need to know why it happened, and how to cure/prevent. Not sure if it is algae or just root rot, because there is no slime and I have seen slime on someone elses system. Either way, it is not healthy and is getting the boot.

 

[HempHut]

In aquariums, brown algae is a sign of poor water quality -- usually denoting low oxygen levels or a buildup of toxins. It tends to be anaerobic and produces no oxygen; whereas green algae is aerobic and produces oxygen (often you can see the oxygen bubbles on its surface).

Brown algae is "bad" algae and green algae is "good" algae. That is, green algae growing denotes a healthy aquarium environment and brown (or red) algae denotes an unhealthy aquarium environment.

 

[rocket high]

good water aeration and good temps 20 - 23c is a good range to keep oxi level's good. This should eliminate the problem .given theres no light penetration

 

[Scrogerman]

Hit it with H2O2 & make it safe!
Peace.......Scroger'

 

[Anima]

In aquariums, brown algae is a sign of poor water quality -- usually denoting low oxygen levels or a buildup of toxins. It tends to be anaerobic and produces no oxygen; whereas green algae is aerobic and produces oxygen (often you can see the oxygen bubbles on its surface).

Brown algae is "bad" algae and green algae is "good" algae. That is, green algae growing denotes a healthy aquarium environment and brown (or red) algae denotes an unhealthy aquarium environment.

That brown algae is nitrificating bacteria. I actually inoculate my res with this bacteria (bacillus subtilis). Ever hear of hydroguard? or aquasheild from botanicare? Both of these products are actually a bacteria inoculation.

Having a healthy population helps keep the "nasties" from taking hold.

Has this affected you plants health at all? If not then I wouldn't worry at all. Keep that res nice and aireated and lay off the H2O2.

Peace and kindness
-Anima

 

[rocket high]

i dip my roots in this

good fungi for your roots . But you have to add to the tank every time you use ph down coz the ph down kills the good fungi living in your res...this stuffs good ... no root rot ..

 

[HempHut]

That brown algae is nitrificating bacteria. I actually inoculate my res with this bacteria (bacillus subtilis). Ever hear of hydroguard? or aquasheild from botanicare? Both of these products are actually a bacteria inoculation.

Having a healthy population helps keep the "nasties" from taking hold.

Has this affected you plants health at all? If not then I wouldn't worry at all. Keep that res nice and aireated and lay off the H2O2.

Peace and kindness
-Anima

I was talking about brown algae in an aquarium environment -- it is algae. I wasn't attempting to ID the OP's issue; rather, I was just passing on information about algae as that's where the discussion was focused.

You'll want to address the OP with your comments since it's not my situation.

 

[Harvest]

Hit it with H2O2 & make it safe!
Peace.......Scroger'

itl clear up real quik

 

[Anima]

I was talking about brown algae in an aquarium environment -- it is algae. I wasn't attempting to ID the OP's issue; rather, I was just passing on information about algae as that's where the discussion was focused.

You'll want to address the OP with your comments since it's not my situation.

Am I lost? Is this an aquarium board? Are we trying to grow kelp?
Most brown algae requires photosynthesis. Most of us THC farmers don't shine light on our roots. And brown algae is not brown... it is more greenish brown. *edit* ok it can be brownish brown too...sorry for the adversarial attitude :friends:

One thing that aquairium hobbists and pot farmers have in common is the nitrogen cycle and how important these bacteria are.

Slow and easy: Unless you are shining lights on your rootzone it isn't algae. It is bacteria. And it's not "bad" bacteria unless you have poor oxygenation/stagnation in your res. Bad bacteria is slimey, and smells like sewage/fermenting/methane.

These good bacteria (smells like fish tank) will help free up nitrogen for your plants to use. They will also break down ammonia and other metabolic compounds. Plus they colonize all surfaces making it harder for "nasties" to get a foothold.

If you keep adding H2O2 then you are killing off all bacteria- leaving a fertile ground for the next nasty that comes along to have free reign.

Peace and kindness
-Anima

 

[HempHut]

Anima, if you look through the thread again you'll find this comment:

"i read that brown algae grows in low light conditions,try searching the aquarium forums they probably know more about this"

Then you'll find this comment from the OP:

"That would make sense, the clone is under 26 watts cfl."

Now, consider my post again in light of those two statements above. I think it might clarify where I was coming from.

 

[slowandeasy]

Have not used anything on the roots. It could be bacteria, does not seem to be an algae. It did get worse overnight, and it is on a clone that just started getting fed a couple days ago. Should be no light getting in rez, if there is it is minimum. Temps are below 70. Anyways just going to trash it, dont really care about 1 clone. Just need to figure out what and why it is there. Feel better getting rid of it and cutting some more clones.