Has anyone tried this grow technique?

[Cannaburg]

So I am an experienced grower but this is my 1st time growing in non ideal conditions... I never had to deal with algae issues ever! The 3 elements for algae is temps, humidity and light... i've just got rhis skittlez out of most stress related issues as she is starting to finally take off... my question is has anyone used perlite as a "mulch" to help prevent algae? Since doing this in my 1 pot ive noticed i have killed all algae issues by doing this... what are your thoughts?

 

[Blastfact]

Over watering and or feeding brings on the surface algae coupled with stagnant air and high humidity.

 

[Buzzzz]

So I am an experienced grower but this is my 1st time growing in non ideal conditions... I never had to deal with algae issues ever! The 3 elements for algae is temps, humidity and light... i've just got rhis skittlez out of most stress related issues as she is starting to finally take off... my question is has anyone used perlite as a "mulch" to help prevent algae? Since doing this in my 1 pot ive noticed i have killed all algae issues by doing this... what are your thoughts?View attachment 1246018

Some algae won't hurt anything,it will clog lines in hydro and air stones ,if it bothers you cover it up from light.

 

[Shaded_One]

Some algae won't hurt anything,it will clog lines in hydro and air stones ,if it bothers you cover it up from light.

Shouldn't be getting algae with soil grows. Definitely don't something wrong if you are.

 

[Cannaburg]

Some algae won't hurt anything,it will clog lines in hydro and air stones ,if it bothers you cover it up from light.

I'm doing a soil based grow... so

Shouldn't be getting algae with soil grows. Definitely don't something wrong if you are.

I normally use promix but that is very ridiculous to find in my area... best price I found is 60 bucks a bale but 200 to ship... so I've been using lambert ... I the algae is from my 1st ever basement grow... never did it in a basement... so I've added perlite as a top layer to help prevent the algae from growing... it's been recovering really well tho...

I've also had to battle Houdini cats! They belong to my sister not me lol!

 

[Shaded_One]

I'm doing a soil based grow... so

I normally use promix but that is very ridiculous to find in my area... best price I found is 60 bucks a bale but 200 to ship... so I've been using lambert ... I the algae is from my 1st ever basement grow... never did it in a basement... so I've added perlite as a top layer to help prevent the algae from growing... it's been recovering really well tho...

I've also had to battle Houdini cats! They belong to my sister not me lol!

I'd say definitely over-watering and humidity as @Buzzzz suggested above. If you have a proper wet/dry cycle going on and your RH is within range you shouldn't be getting algae in soil :)

 

[Buzzzz]

Shouldn't be getting algae with soil grows. Definitely don't something wrong if you are.

It's the perlite

 

[Shaded_One]

It's the perlite

he added the perlite as mulch after the algae was already forming, but you're right it's not helping if he can't get his watering or humidity on point.

 

[Buzzzz]

I'm doing a soil based grow... so

I normally use promix but that is very ridiculous to find in my area... best price I found is 60 bucks a bale but 200 to ship... so I've been using lambert ... I the algae is from my 1st ever basement grow... never did it in a basement... so I've added perlite as a top layer to help prevent the algae from growing... it's been recovering really well tho...

I've also had to battle Houdini cats! They belong to my sister not me lol!

The perlite will help grow algae,

he added the perlite as mulch after the algae was already forming, but you're right it's not helping if he can't get his watering or humidity on point.

Yes I understand, the perlite will grow algae because it will continue to be watered , cover it with something that won;t let light through after watering or a soil layer

 

[Cannaburg]

Here is an update I now have my 1 skittlez in a 7 gal while I'm waiting for my other ones to catch up... after I killed off algae... cats killed 4 out of 5...

 

[JadedMarxist]

I assume your under leds? That's the only time my soil grows alge then I just put paly sand on the soil like 1/2 inch thick