jonnygreens
New Member
I've been searching around and haven't found anything that fits my situation so I will explain...
I have a DIY Ebb and Flow system 2'x4' with an 18 gal tote as a res with 14 gals of 5.8 pH tap water and I was using the Botanicare Power series but recently switched to Advanced Nutrients Grow Micro Bloom that I have yet to start using. I have pots filled with Hydroton that sit in the tray. Everything was running fine for the first day or two then I got a spike in pH which I promptly corrected then the following day the water was cloudy and the pH shot back up to 8.4
I did some reading and figured it was light getting in so I fastened black plastic on the outside of the res and on the lid, around the tubes where they ran through two holes.
Emptied the res, washed it out, refilled with pH'd water, nutes and started it up again. The next day the pH was at 5.9, the following day, high pH again and also what looked like to be algae blooms floating in the water and on the water line and also all over the airstone. So what I can only deduce is that the light shining on the water INSIDE the flood table is what is causing it. It takes about 8 mins to flood the table and I do an additional 8 mins circulation then drain, so I'd say the water is in contact with the light around 20 mins. I also flood 4 times a day. I'm planning on putting a lid to cover the tray and have the pots filled with hydroton through the lid. And yes, I washed my Hydroton ridiculously well. My question for you guys is whether you think I am correct in assuming that the light contact with the water during the flood is what my weak link is?
Also I have been using distilled white vinegar to lower my pH which I have also stopped using and switched to AN pH Down.
Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated seeing that doing a 14 gal res change twice a week is quickly becoming a pain. Thanks in advance guys!
I have a DIY Ebb and Flow system 2'x4' with an 18 gal tote as a res with 14 gals of 5.8 pH tap water and I was using the Botanicare Power series but recently switched to Advanced Nutrients Grow Micro Bloom that I have yet to start using. I have pots filled with Hydroton that sit in the tray. Everything was running fine for the first day or two then I got a spike in pH which I promptly corrected then the following day the water was cloudy and the pH shot back up to 8.4
I did some reading and figured it was light getting in so I fastened black plastic on the outside of the res and on the lid, around the tubes where they ran through two holes.
Emptied the res, washed it out, refilled with pH'd water, nutes and started it up again. The next day the pH was at 5.9, the following day, high pH again and also what looked like to be algae blooms floating in the water and on the water line and also all over the airstone. So what I can only deduce is that the light shining on the water INSIDE the flood table is what is causing it. It takes about 8 mins to flood the table and I do an additional 8 mins circulation then drain, so I'd say the water is in contact with the light around 20 mins. I also flood 4 times a day. I'm planning on putting a lid to cover the tray and have the pots filled with hydroton through the lid. And yes, I washed my Hydroton ridiculously well. My question for you guys is whether you think I am correct in assuming that the light contact with the water during the flood is what my weak link is?
Also I have been using distilled white vinegar to lower my pH which I have also stopped using and switched to AN pH Down.
Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated seeing that doing a 14 gal res change twice a week is quickly becoming a pain. Thanks in advance guys!
