White Buildup Inside Grow Tent/Carbon Filter has white powder

[ShadowKhan]

Hey all, I've recently decided to tackle growing cannabis, my girlfriend & I bought all the necessary equipment, and of course we've had our ups and downs and now a new problem has arisen. Over the course of the last couple of days (I am currently typing this on 4/26/2023 @ 7:52 AM) I have noticed a white substance beginning to take form on the inside of our 4x4 grow tent's walls, as well as a powdery substance on our carbon filter that I had not noticed before. We keep the plants on a 16/8 cycle, with a relative humidity between 45-60% as well as watering with a spray bottle every 2 or 3 days. The temperature normally stays around 72-73 degrees however, over the last couple of days I have noticed it's climbed up too around 75. It's the same thing with soil temp, for about 2 or 3 weeks it stayed steady at 68-69 degrees. In the last couple of days it's climbed to 72. Anyway, have a look for yourself.

Any thoughts on what this might be? Is this normal? If not, how do I combat it? Thank you all for the help, and as always, may mother nature bless your grows. (Sorry for the crappy video quality, I recorded this on my phone).

 

[PipeCarver]

Hey all, I've recently decided to tackle growing cannabis, my girlfriend & I bought all the necessary equipment, and of course we've had our ups and downs and now a new problem has arisen. Over the course of the last couple of days (I am currently typing this on 4/26/2023 @ 7:52 AM) I have noticed a white substance beginning to take form on the inside of our 4x4 grow tent's walls, as well as a powdery substance on our carbon filter that I had not noticed before. We keep the plants on a 16/8 cycle, with a relative humidity between 45-60% as well as watering with a spray bottle every 2 or 3 days. The temperature normally stays around 72-73 degrees however, over the last couple of days I have noticed it's climbed up too around 75. It's the same thing with soil temp, for about 2 or 3 weeks it stayed steady at 68-69 degrees. In the last couple of days it's climbed to 72. Anyway, have a look for yourself.

View attachment 1957859

Any thoughts on what this might be? Is this normal? If not, how do I combat it? Thank you all for the help, and as always, may mother nature bless your grows. (Sorry for the crappy video quality, I recorded this on my phone).

Your humidifier could be doing that. The water you use in it may be depositing mineral dust around your room. You need to use RO or distilled water if that's the case. & a sonic humidifier is recommended.

 

[Mothman]

Hey all, I've recently decided to tackle growing cannabis, my girlfriend & I bought all the necessary equipment, and of course we've had our ups and downs and now a new problem has arisen. Over the course of the last couple of days (I am currently typing this on 4/26/2023 @ 7:52 AM) I have noticed a white substance beginning to take form on the inside of our 4x4 grow tent's walls, as well as a powdery substance on our carbon filter that I had not noticed before. We keep the plants on a 16/8 cycle, with a relative humidity between 45-60% as well as watering with a spray bottle every 2 or 3 days. The temperature normally stays around 72-73 degrees however, over the last couple of days I have noticed it's climbed up too around 75. It's the same thing with soil temp, for about 2 or 3 weeks it stayed steady at 68-69 degrees. In the last couple of days it's climbed to 72. Anyway, have a look for yourself.

View attachment 1957859

Any thoughts on what this might be? Is this normal? If not, how do I combat it? Thank you all for the help, and as always, may mother nature bless your grows. (Sorry for the crappy video quality, I recorded this on my phone).

Is this your first grow in the tent? with that filter cover? Was the tent and filter cover bought new or used?

The filter looks like it’s been thru a couple of grows or so. Is this it’s first grow? @PipeCarver may be right, just checking possible alternate causes. Are you growing in a basement, garage, or other concrete slab structure?

 

[2Bad]

Your humidifier could be doing that. The water you use in it may be depositing mineral dust around your room. You need to use RO or distilled water if that's the case. & a sonic humidifier is recommended.

Evaporative *

 

[PahPahCee]

Evaporative *

Yes evaporative is superior in our setting. Ultrasonic makes too small of droplets that behave like aerosol. The minerals in your tap water then blankets your room in mineral build up. This is also the same with your lungs. use RO or distilled water to prevent this build up.

 

[2Bad]

Yes evaporative is superior in our setting. Ultrasonic makes too small of droplets that behave like aerosol. The minerals in your tap water then blankets your room in mineral build up. This is also the same with your lungs. use RO or distilled water to prevent this build up.

Are you saying use ro for evap humidifiers? I haven't had to

 

[PipeCarver]

Are you saying use ro for evap humidifiers? I haven't had to

for sonic you need to or you'll green up the inside of the tank and in its works in areas impossible to clean I'd imagine evaporating as well or you'll leave mineral deposits on the heater and the room

 

[2Bad]

for sonic you need to or you'll green up the inside of the tank and in its works in areas impossible to clean I'd imagine evaporating as well or you'll leave mineral deposits on the heater and the room

Gotcha that makes sense. I don't think evaporative gives off deposits that's why it's safer. I've used a long time.

Pipe you're the god of grinders tho. I can't ty enough for putting me on to the blender thing

 

[ShadowKhan]

Is this your first grow in the tent? with that filter cover? Was the tent and filter cover bought new or used?

The filter looks like it’s been thru a couple of grows or so. Is this it’s first grow? @PipeCarver may be right, just checking possible alternate causes. Are you growing in a basement, garage, or other concrete slab structure?

It is indeed my first grow tent, with a brand new filter. We've had this tent for maybe 2 months now.

 

[PahPahCee]

I’d image RO/distilled is preferred for both.

My original comment was in regards to ultrasonic styles since it can have negative effects with it turning the water into aerosol. The evap style make larger water droplets so this isn’t really an issue as much.

 

[Madbud]

Hey all, I've recently decided to tackle growing cannabis, my girlfriend & I bought all the necessary equipment, and of course we've had our ups and downs and now a new problem has arisen. Over the course of the last couple of days (I am currently typing this on 4/26/2023 @ 7:52 AM) I have noticed a white substance beginning to take form on the inside of our 4x4 grow tent's walls, as well as a powdery substance on our carbon filter that I had not noticed before. We keep the plants on a 16/8 cycle, with a relative humidity between 45-60% as well as watering with a spray bottle every 2 or 3 days. The temperature normally stays around 72-73 degrees however, over the last couple of days I have noticed it's climbed up too around 75. It's the same thing with soil temp, for about 2 or 3 weeks it stayed steady at 68-69 degrees. In the last couple of days it's climbed to 72. Anyway, have a look for yourself.

View attachment 1957859

Any thoughts on what this might be? Is this normal? If not, how do I combat it? Thank you all for the help, and as always, may mother nature bless your grows. (Sorry for the crappy video quality, I recorded this on my phone).

Ultrasonic humidifiers will release calcium dust from tap or well water. Evaporative pads filter minerals in fan type humidifiers. Could be powder mildew too, hard to tell in blurple light.