Bio-film building up in reservoir

[farmboi]

Would anyone know what the cause of this biofilm that is forming in my reservoir? My guess is it has something with the type of nutrients I'm using but I can't find much on the subject.

I'm using Botanicare's Kind line of nutrients along with their Cal-Mag in an ebb and flow system.
I'm also using RO water, UV filtration, and plenty of Oxygen.

Is it possible I need a larger Uv filter?
Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Aqua Man]

Would anyone know what the cause of this biofilm that is forming in my reservoir? My guess is it has something with the type of nutrients I'm using but I can't find much on the subject.

I'm using Botanicare's Kind line of nutrients along with their Cal-Mag in an ebb and flow system.
I'm also using RO water, UV filtration, and plenty of Oxygen.

Is it possible I need a larger Uv filter?
Any help is greatly appreciated!

Looks like diatoms

 

[Aqua Man]

Running h2o2 every few days should stop it from reoccurring

 

[LittleDabbie]

Looks like diatoms

a single-celled alga which has a cell wall of silica. Many kinds are planktonic, and extensive fossil deposits have been found.

I hada look that one up.

 

[Aqua Man]

a single-celled alga which has a cell wall of silica. Many kinds are planktonic, and extensive fossil deposits have been found.

I hada look that one up.

Yep... They need silica dioxide. But IME they go away once a biofilter is established or h2o2 is used.

 

[cemchris]

Kind has seaweed extract in it. That plus the air stones. Why the airstones?

 

[THC.Tribble]

Would anyone know what the cause of this biofilm that is forming in my reservoir? My guess is it has something with the type of nutrients I'm using but I can't find much on the subject.

I'm using Botanicare's Kind line of nutrients along with their Cal-Mag in an ebb and flow system.
I'm also using RO water, UV filtration, and plenty of Oxygen.

Is it possible I need a larger Uv filter?
Any help is greatly appreciated!

Are you using hydrogen peroxide in your res?

 

[farmboi]

Running h2o2 every few days should stop it from reoccurring

I looked into using hydrogen peroxide and I will be giving that a try. How many ml/gal would you recommend?

 

[Aqua Man]

I looked into using hydrogen peroxide and I will be giving that a try. How many ml/gal would you recommend?

Depends what concentration. If you buy the 29% it can still be shipped. At least here in Canada. 2-3ml per gal but dilute first atleast 10 to 1 before adding. You don't wanna burn the roots from direct contact

 

[farmboi]

[QUOTE="cemchris, post: 2448267, member: 7
Kind has seaweed extract in it. That plus the air stones. Why the airstones?
[/QUOTE]

I'm using airstones to keep the water from becoming stagnant and from what I understand it should help prevent some unwanted growth.
I would like to get your opinion on whether I should or shouldn't be using them if you don't mind.

 

[farmboi]

Are you using hydrogen peroxide in your res?

I haven't but I'll give that a try

 

[farmboi]

Depends what concentration. If you buy the 29% it can still be shipped. At least here in Canada. 2-3ml per gal but dilute first atleast 10 to 1 before adding. You don't wanna burn the roots from direct contact
[/QUOT

Sweet! that sounds like everything I've read so far. I'll try it out on another run and see what we get! Thanks!

 

[cemchris]

I'm using airstones to keep the water from becoming stagnant and from what I understand it should help prevent some unwanted growth.
I would like to get your opinion on whether I should or shouldn't be using them if you don't mind.

The only time you would run airstones in E&F is "live" rez. Running UV you dead dead. Your nutes wont become stagnant. The nutes and plants get plenty of oxygen every time you flood the tables and plants. If you are having a problem with stuff falling out of suspension I would suggest to either switch nutes or put a pump on a timer to circ occasionally. Airstones are just going to make you adjust the PH a lot more. I would move more towards changing it up. Seaweed extract will usually foam a rez up when you put air to it.