M
Manganeze5
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- May 12, 2026
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Hi guys, I’m no expert but feel pretty competent. I started some kids about 30 days ago after redesigning my whole room. I have a RDWC waterfall system with ph controller, chiller, large air stones in each bucket with the waterfall ( not hard water flowing in just a nice gentle flow). Two 800 W light in a 6x9 room with lights dimmed to 50% (moved ballasts outside the space to reduce heat), two fans, air exhaust to outside, and humidifier. My current readings are as follows: ph 5.95-6 ( steady), starting ppm before adding nutrients is 110 ppm which is compensated for , humidity is 40-50, room temp flux is 72-79 F, water temp is 67-68 ( steady & controlled by chiller). I initially kept ppm pretty low around 350-400 for a while to let plants slowly build up without any stress.l. My issue is the plants have curling tips and the roots aren’t stretching into the water ( almost like air pruning). My oxygen levels are good, I had no issues last time with these stones and pumps. This was happening at 230 ppm when they went in after 3 weeks Also, I had my lights way higher initially (48”) and have now moved them to 36” or so thinking maybe lack of light, it’s almost like they’re stunted maybe, but I don’t think so. My initial though was heat stress or possibly nutrients being higher but I kept them so low for a while and only last week did I increase ppm and lower the lights to see if I could get em to go. The air gap between water and roots is like an inch maybe a little more, tips of roots are in the water. Maybe someone could shed some light based on the photos. Current ppm is 600. The roots have some nutrient staining but no foul odors, they are healthy. I’ve dealt with root rot, this doesn’t smell or seem like it at all…..any help to get them back on track would be helpful.