Roots temps?

[Incognegro]

Hey ICer's

This is my first time full hydro (Bubbling Tubs, plants in 3.5net pots in Coco)

I know that the root zone being too hot is a bad thing...this I know, mold, fungi, pathogens, etc...but what about too cold?

I know that cooler root zone temps will help some plants change colors, and also helps to battle hot canopy temps, but is there a such thing as being TOO cold? I mean of course 32*F is TOO cold, but what is the threshold?

I stuck my hand in one of my buckets today, then all of them, they're all cold! I'm guessing around 65-70*F... this IMO would be fine in an actual medium environment, but with exposed roots not so much...

Any comments on the temps being too cold or how cold IS TOO cold?

Thanks in advance!

 

[BeaverHuntr]

Yes 65-68 degrees is perfect. Yeah in the winter months it will get colder. It can get as low as mid 50's so dont harsh your mellow. Anything under the 50's is asking for trouble.

 

[Incognegro]

Ahh MUCH appreciated!

I think they may be a little colder than previous stated...I'm thinking high 50's low 60's... will get a therm in there and see

 

[crazybear]

I'm not really sure I'm a noob, but I believe below 65 would slow growth! I put water bottles filled with smoking hot water in DWC tubs to raise temps to around 68 or so or you could use a aquarium heater! I use the water bottles because it's cheaper!!!!!!

 

[Tonka]

I'm not really sure I'm a noob, but I believe below 65 would slow growth! I put water bottles filled with smoking hot water in DWC tubs to raise temps to around 68 or so or you could use a aquarium heater! I use the water bottles because it's cheaper!!!!!!

Yup, under 65 slows growth.

 

[Organic Rooster]

I was just researching this very subject last night for myself and found out that you want to aim between 68-72 and stay above 65 or growth slows. When buying an aquarium heater... use the rule: 5w/gallon.

 

[Incognegro]

I've got a 300watt heater... I may get a couple smaller ones...gotta see how much they cost again.

I thought about the hot water bottle as well...lol..but it doesn't take long for heat to dissipate from water...

 

[Organic Rooster]

You can get em super cheap on ebay. I got mine at petco/petsmart. The one I got was $20 I think? It's all plastic, no glass tube around the outside to break. I think marineland was the brand I went with. But like I said, super cheap on ebay. I'd say you're spinning your wheels with hot water bottles.

 

[Incognegro]

Ya, I've considered getting the little $10 deals from Walmart...I had plenty at my last house, for my fish tanks, but didn't get a chance to get them all when we moved...lol, so I'll need to figure something out here..

I've got another idea too, but it's not exactly what I want to do, lol

 

[Tonka]

A more expensive route which will take care of res temp issues in both summer and winter is getting a chiller. Most chillers will also heat the water. How many gallons you running?

 

[Incognegro]

At the moment I've got 3 18 gals and 1 30gal...and also a 10gal i'm doing a lil aero...I've got the 1 300watter, but don't know....

 

[BeaverHuntr]

Yup, under 65 slows growth.

I have to disagree respectfully of course. 65-68 is perfect but many expert growers have said you will be fine in the high 50's my temps are in the low 60's I set them for 68 but because they sit on concrete and are in water coolers the temp drops a little no slowed growth on my White Russians at day 50 in flower..

 

[Tonka]

I have to disagree respectfully of course. 65-68 is perfect but many expert growers have said you will be fine in the high 50's my temps are in the low 60's I set them for 68 but because they sit on concrete and are in water coolers the temp drops a little no slowed growth on my White Russians at day 50 in flower..

I totally agree BeaverHuntr. You will be fine in the high 50's and many pros do grow using these temps because it lowers the chances of having root problems. However, from personal experience I have seen my plant (root) growth slow under 65 in bio-buckets. In my particular environment, I seem to get best root growth at 66F.

Here is a quote from DHF (https://www.icmag.com/ic/showpost.php?p=4034060&postcount=5):

For the record , dissolved oxygen is able to accumulate more ppm`s at lower bottom container temps in the 61-65 degree range , but everytime my rez or bottom container temps got below 65 degrees growth slowed.......guaranteed......

I ran krusty buckets for over 8 yrs that recirculated 24/7 and my dialed results for explosive root AND foliage/flower development was 69-ish with not enough difference in DO levels to matter more than juice temps........Had a big-ass aqualogic drop in "probe" chiller that kept shit to the degree at all times.......

But Fatigues is right in that lower temps keep nasties and root born pathogens at bay thus why the greenhouses he speaks of would sacrifice faster growth for not worrying about higher rez temps and fear of potential crop failure......all about trade-offs for the greater good.......

Good luck.....DHF.........

 

[crazybear]

I also have a i" layer of high density foam under my bucket in a warm house & using hot water bottles the temps. stay up there! It works for me!

 

[!!!]

My res is at 58F. Pretty low. Below 65ish will likely slow down growth. This was confirmed to me by people I believe know what they're talking about. No anecdotes myself though.

edit: Whoops, I meant 58F (14.6C)

 

[Incognegro]

58*C? That's rather warm ain't it? Can't remember the conversion formula, but I think that's rather high...O is32F and 100 is 212F...lol..

I may get a couple of heaters, so enough

 

[Organic Rooster]

A few days before I saw this thread I was searching the subject myself because my res temps were 57*. I read that the ideal temps are 68-72 so I added a heater to each res and I can already notice growth has improved.

 

[Incognegro]

I got a aquarium thermo and found out my temps are 68*F...the water is pretty cold... I guess I will see...