rkymtnman
Well-Known Member
what are you using to prevent rot? if you mentioned it, i missed it.
Brand new to this, please help with curling leaves
- Thread starter R1Joker
- Start date
R1Joker
Member
No, my system is running about 30gals recirculating for two seedlings. I waited 3 weeks for my first change. Planned to see how it goes and change at least every 2 weeks in veg. will do more changes if needed. It is like learning to build the plane while flying in it!
R1Joker
Member
Nothing as of yet... suggestions? Was told at the hydro store not to use hydroguard with the GH frora. I still haven't figured this sterile vs beneficial bacteria thing yet.
rkymtnman
Well-Known Member
kinda depends where you are, what you can get and what you'd prefer.
i've done both sterile and bacteria: both worked for me, both are easy and both are cheap. HTH pool shock or Southern Ag bacteria.
not sure why they told you that about hydroguard: that's not true. it's expensive and watered down compared to southern ag.
so you pick:
do you want more good bacteria versus bad bacteria or do you want to kill all bacteria?
R1Joker
Member
This system has a 250gal per hour waterfall and a 7.8 L/min duel air pump. It was sold as a very oxygen rich system. I think a water chiller would be a wise investment at this point as I am raising the air temp in the tent. Do you pros think that will be enough? I have seen pics of root rot... heart breaking! I will gladly add something to prevent it, I've just been trying to keep it simple. Ha Ha (too late for that!). I'm still struggling to find a good way to heat my tent without cooking my girls!
rkymtnman
Well-Known Member
budget?
if you can afford a chiller, go for it. you still need rot prevention though. just b/c the water is colder, doesn't necessarily keep rot away.
if you can't afford one, i would try bacteria and/or sterile and you could save a lot of money
R1Joker
Member
Took another look at some root rot pics, nothing has been cheap in this so far! I went back to the hydro store, and will be picking up an oversized chiller this weekend. I am currently floating frozen water bottles in my res and that will get old fast. I asked the hydro guy why no hydroguard with the GH flora and he said the synthetics can kill the bacteria. So he sold me some UC Roots assuring me that this is the stuff to sterilize and protect the roots. The package claims it removes and prevents mineral deposits but does not say what's in it. Is this repackaged bleach or pool shock? I plan to put it in at mid recommended strength 1-7mils per gal (I'll go 3-4mils) tomorrow, see what affects it has on the plants, ph, and ppm's. I think sterile is the way to go. I hope UC Roots is a good choice. This weekend I'm going to flush the system and install the chiller. Hopefully I can figure out the best way to go by then. Reading about HTH Pool shock in DWC... wow a lot of conflicting opinions! BTW after I solved that whole cooking my plants with a small space heater thing, they seem to love the raise in air temperature! Again thank you everyone for the help
Johiem
Well-Known Member
I agree, salts won't kill them, just fucks with them. The phosphoric acid in chemical Ph adjusters will kill them.
R1Joker
Member
So the UC Roots should be fine. I am thinking I'll use up what I just bought and then switch to HTH Pool Shock which is the same basic thing.
Thanks for the help!
R1Joker
Member
It seems going sterile might be my best choice for now. So much to learn. Thanks!
