I saw some really great and helpful video's on YouTube by Mr Green called "I grow Chronic". I like the idea of making my own ebb & flo system like he did, but I have a question... With all the hydroponic & DWC set ups I have seen, the one thing everyone cautions you about is keeping light out of your res to prevent algea growing in the solution. Well, the video's mentioned above, Mr. Greens ebb & flo system uses a veg tray with individual pots set up on it. The individual pots have drip tubes going directly into each pot, and the excess nute solution runs out the bottom of the pots onto the tray, then drain back into the res. When the nute solution is draining out the bottom of the pots and is in the veg tray, the solution looks like it is completely exposed to the light before it drains back into the res. Wouldn't this allow the solution to grow algea from being exposed to light, even for the short amount of time it takes the solution to run across the bottom of the tray and drain back into the res? I'd appreciate some advice or opinions on this. Thanxs.
If it is exposed over time it will breed algae. I use an Ebb & Flow and my tray is resting on my reservoir that has no top, and Ive never had an algae problem. Good luck.
You can't help that the water will be in the light at some point, extended periods thought will be what gives you a major algae problem, put a lid on your reservoir and you should be fine
^^ that's false, you can have systems where the nutrient solution never gets any light(aside from when you mix your solution or open the reservoir)... the system the OP mentioned is one of these. To the OP: Actually the nutrient solution in "I grow chronic" is never exposed to light be cause the solution never goes up past the LECA... The LECA is what will help prevent algae growth, I've used a set up very close to that featered in "I grow chronic" and I never had any algae issues with it (I've since moved to a different house and no longer use it). I grow Chronic
Also, adding hydrogen peroxide (from any half decent grow shop) to your res will help prevent algae. It also adds oxygen. bonus. Be sure to check your resulting pH though. There are also a number of 'beneficial' bacteria and fungi you can add to your res to combat pests in your res. for example: http://www.growell.co.uk/p/1135/Dr-Hornby-s-Voodoo-Juice.html http://www.growell.co.uk/p/0741/Piranha-Powder.html More for the advanced grower there, as they are rather expensive. The H2O2 will provide the most immediate, and cheap, benefit. Always try to keep your grow area/res clean, and try to limit light exposure as best you can.
There is a simple way to prevent algea growth cover any exposed pipes and ensure that no light can get to the nutrient solution. By using a ozone genorator for a fish tank available on E Bay this will benifit the room by killing odors and no algea will grow and thats 100% garunteed. There will be zero bacteria in the nutrient solution so no root rot eather. Hope this helps ya All the best GOOD LUCK
While it is true that an in-line ozone generator will inhibit algae growth, don't be misled into thinking that it will treat odour in the grow room. When using ozone to treat water in a grow room you have to make sure that not too much of the ozone escapes the water. Ozone is a powerful oxidiser and will harm your plants both by killing leaves and making bud tasteless. Any ozone air treatment system should be attached to the exhaust of your room and allowed to mix with the 'smelly' air before being exhausted. Ozone should never be used to treat the air inside the grow room. Personally I prefer using an in-line ultraviolet (UVC) treatment unit to ozone. They can be picked up for less than an ozone generator and don't run the risk of releasing oxidisers into the atmosphere.