Non-slimey foam in DWC

[hippydan]

About 12 gallons of water in a rubbermaid tote, GH dual diaphragm pump rated at 320gph (20L/min) of air being pumped into it. The lid of the tote was painted with 2 coats of black and then 2 coats of white paint.

Just a 75/25 mix of tapwater/bottled water, ~300ppm@.5conversion. No nutes. pH adjusted to 5.5-6.0 range using Advanced Nutrients pH-Down (phosphoric acid). Res temps steady at 68(lights off) 71(lights on).

Res has been fine, never noticed the foam until I lifted the lid to check to see if roots were coming out of my netpots yet. No roots. Foam is not slimey, doesn't smell. Water is still otherwise crystal clear. Foam is only on the edges of the tote and it was hanging around the old water line where I could see it dropped about an inch. Doesn't worry me too much, but if it could be a problem later on I'd rather fix it now. Thanks.

 

[stoney917]

its algae may not be bad algae but its algae...u prob got a pin hole leak or the outside sides of the bucket are allowin light through...

 

[hippydan]

I planned on upgrading to a larger rubbermaid tote, that's why I didn't paint the sides of my current one. I'm thinking of just spending a couple bills and upgrading the system to a RDWC, 4 5gal buckets (black). I think it would save the headache in the long run.

On the algae: Is H2O2 a quick fix for now? Should I even worry about it if it doesn't get any worse? What does algae do, eat oxygen+nutes that are in the water?

Any suggestions?

 

[MasterKhufu]

Not a good sign dude. I've had foam just like that. Stoney is right on it's algae. How do your roots look?

It could be a simple light issue, or heat related. Looks like you're getting plenty of oxygen in there. Those orange buckets are certainly not light proof. I'd either get black buckets, spray paint the ones you got, or get some contractor black trash bags to put'em in so it blocks out the light. It could be as simple as that.

In my case it was brown algae and I lost the battle with it. Stuff can live through anything. In the end i switched to coco and it went away. Dried that shit up and killed it. I wish you luck and hope it is not the dreaded brown algae.

Just keep an eye on your roots for now and make yer shit light proof. If you start to notice your roots getting slimy and snotty or if they get brown shit on them then look up a thread by richyrich it says brown algae I think somewhere in the title. Good luck buddy.

 

[MasterKhufu]

On your last question... the algae eats your roots I think, and/or is suffocates them. H2O2 is not gonna do the trick. If it was just root rot that could work but you have to get stuff for algae. There's something called PHYSAN 20 that works but do your research before you use it. Too much will kill your plants. If your plants are still looking healthy and the roots look ok I would just switch buckets for now and block the light, and keep an eye on'em. If you start to see any probs with the roots you need to address the situation immediately.

 

[stoney917]

coco is a good way to get rid of algae but a bit drastic... change i cant tell in the pics but i see a black airline and if that is a clear airline on the right its leakin light in to.. dependin on what syage u are in in the grow theres different ways to address it. but the contactor bag is an excellant quick solution... h202 would help id add it asap... dont add organic products in and keep shit simple u can finish the grow... best of luck bro peace

 

[MasterKhufu]

yeah the switch to coco was a last resort, but it did save the harvest and only added about 2 weeks to my flower cycle. You think the H2O2 would help stoney? OK I could stand corrected on that. Not too much though hippydan it also has the potential to oxidize your roots and turn them to mush. I killed a plant or 2 that way when dealing with root rot. I used the 30% food grade shit and it was potent as all hell. Made my roots look and feel like wet spaghetti. Damn I do have to say I don't miss DWC at all. Made the switch to coco and been loving it ever since.

 

[hippydan]

Thanks for all your help, everyone! It seems this mess is a bigger problem than I had anticipated. I only have seedlings right now, the roots aren't even reaching through the netpots into the water yet.

I just went through blazeoneup's RDWC tutorial, and I just priced up all the parts I'll need for a 4 bucket system. 300$ for everything shipped to my house, my last seed order cost more than that . I don't want to take any chances with this stuff killing my plants. Thanks again, you were all great help!

 

[stoney917]

i neer used the 30% h202 only the 3% brown bottle but i never had bad results from addin it the one thing i can tell ya is that if ur using benfical bactica and fungi it will kill them to and if ya mix it with organics bad shit happens to...if i were u i would just go to the depot and get a few rolls of duct tape or sumthin else and wrap the bucket. im currently using this shit they sell its a insulation blacnket for hot water heaters seems to work great...and costs like 6 buks each u only need 1 and change the clear airline u will be fine. as u build the rdwc...

 

[stoney917]

masta .... curious what nutes u were using in ur dwc that cuzed that sounds like u had temp issues to peroxid helps alot with rootrot but if its already past a pint ur screwed nomatter what ya do. u can cut out infected roots and hope for the best but its not a fun battle.

 

[hippydan]

if i were u i would just go to the depot and get a few rolls of duct tape or sumthin else and wrap the bucket. im currently using this shit they sell its a insulation blacnket for hot water heaters seems to work great

I was thinking about using my aluminum tape but I don't think I've got enough left, also thought about using the insulation blanket, I've seen quite a few people around here use it with good results. I may end up grabbing some to use for now, can always use it later on the RDWC to help keep temps stable. Thanks!

 

[MasterKhufu]

Yeah the RDWC will def help out with temps which seems to be the main issue for people who run DWC. I know it was for me and for a couple other people I know. GL man.

I was running flora nova nutes but when I put in the peroxide it was just that and water. The next day all the roots went soft and limp. I shoulda used the cheap stuff. 3% is much safer. Ah well.

 

[stoney917]

for 6 bucks its a quick fix that works... when ya ready im gonna let a secrete out this shit call prodex its the shit much better then anything on the market
flora nova is some thick shit i know some ppl use it but its not best for dwc and high tempts ...