Hello everyone, I have recently started my third attempt at a DWC hydro system. The passed two grows, i have been having trouble with root rot and rather than going through the trouble of sanitation and fighting the uphill battle of getting rid of the pythium, i just scrapped the system, bought new equipment and sanitized the existing bubble bars and tubing. I am using a 10 gallon container, now with 4 bubble bars (it was 2) in there, and a 400w MH/HPS light (using MH for veg). In this grow, i have added a microbe tea to the solution to help in the prevention of pythium. The tea was made using Hydroguard (has the necessary bacillus bacteria), ZHO powder, and EWC. If anyone has any experience with bennies, Is it normal to have a foam on the top of the res and around the netted pots? And without any pythium in the system, how often should i add more tea. I started by adding 1 cup per gallon, and I was planning to continue by adding 1 cup every 3 days. However i think this may be the regiment for fighting root rot and once a week will be adequate for prevention, any opinions? A little background: I'm running a PH of around 5.3 and a TDS of ~800ppm, and using Dynagro Foliage pro for veg so far. The seeds were sprouted in rock wool and added to the netted pots with hydroton clay pebbles. They sprouted three days ago so they are still very young, but up and coming. I have not run into any issues yet, but any advice would be appreciated as i would like to catch it early if i am doing something wrong. This has all been a learning experience and i'm always open to suggestions.
Wrap your bucket in reflective aluminum tape to keep light off the roots and switch to hyro nutes, dynagro contains organic ingredients that will cause slime and froth build up(I tired to use it before I switch to GH flora nutes)
Why are you trying to nuke seedlings with 800 ppm? Get that down to like 200. Edit: And, I agree organics can be difficult in hydro.
First, what supplements have you given your root system (most neglected but mostt important part of the plant). I start with Silica Blast and Hydroguard (Botanicare), water temperature must be 68 to 72. pH should be kept between 5.8 and 6.2, this has everything to do about plant absorption of nutrients, to low or high and some nutrients will NOT be absorbed. Start off small, most feed schedules are maximum doses, it easier to add then flushing and starting over. Before I start my seeds I soak my rockwool in 5.8 pH water for 3-4 hrs. I then mix 1ml of Botanicare KIND Grow (it's what I use) in one gal of water, pH to 6.0 +/- and soak the cubes, gently shake of excess water, don't squeeze them! And then start my seeds in them. I don't generally add any nutes for the first week (except for Silica Blast and Hydroguard) and when I do start adding, I start at a quarter of what's recommended. Because a healthy plant will drink like crazy, water needs to be added to the reservoir, be sure to check the pH and ppm's often when the plants are thirsty, as the pH will fluctuate. That's it for now, good luck! (not that you will need any)
You gotta make sure your bucket is light tight! Thats crucial. Use a black bucket or go get yourself some aluminum tape and seal her up! I'd also recommend raising your pH to between 5.5 and 6.0..... those are optimal conditions for macro nutrient uptake. again, make your bucket light proof!!!