J
Juzam
- 35
- 8
Long story made short...
This isn't our first rodeo. 5 years of experience, literally hundreds of cycles, not to say that we're above anyone or beyond over looking anything but if you're going to answer "have you tried zone?" or "its easy, just brew a tea" please just don't. We've systematically tried to eliminate possibilities, to scientifically try products and to establish a repeatable regiment of long term root health in the RDWC systems... unsuccessfully.
We've tried sterile; h202, zone, bleach. I've controlled the water; merlin 5 filter RO filter, 63* max, 1 hp dedicated chillers, UV sterilizers on water source as well as individual systems. I've tried teas. We've used CC's recommended stable nutrient, Canna (prior to their nutrient release) and run PPM's on a 700 scale at 300-500 in veg, ~700 in flower but never to exceed 900 (less than 1.2 EC.) PH swings, PH pegged. I've literally spent years trying to perfect this system in every possible way that I can think of. I've been successful in other locations (prompting the thought; it's in the water, seriously), and we're even chugging along now, but the expectations from these systems is 3x or 4x what they're producing and I cannot seem to find the root health we need.
I've posted three pictures of vegged plants in our veg systems before they enter the UC RDWC. These are in 20 gallon coolers that swing 62-65*, have 3 12" airstones from a 1hp commercial blower (chilled), running 5.5-6.0ph swing, ~350-400 Canna Veg A/B nutes, with a Heidelberg tea (ancient forest, mycos or EWC, aquashield, Great white or ZHO and molasses.)
The first picture is an empty cooler that has run for 3 days. The buildup of algae/slime is the concern. I can wipe this off daily and it returns, with or without plants, with or without tea. This then progresses to the second picture, roots about 10 days in. The growth is ideal, the plant shows no defficiencies and new roots are white and nice, with the exception of the top of the root mass it is ideal. These start with water essentially at the bottom of the net pot and are lowered to approximately 1" below as the roots establish themselves.
The third picture shows the root mass a few days later. Again, new white growth, no difficiences showing, 'older' growth is showing yellowing/browning tint as usual but the brown and the slime has essentially taken over the top of the root. This stage then progresses as the plant continues its growth cycle and is a constant battle. The plant is healthy but yields are very low. The new root growth continues to start white but given time will be over taken as the pictures show in the veg'd root mass. This is with tea being run the entire cycle, same issues with other products (sterile would delay the onset but the end result was the same.)
So before jumping off a cliff and getting away from my beloved RDWC what are your thoughts and solutions?
This isn't our first rodeo. 5 years of experience, literally hundreds of cycles, not to say that we're above anyone or beyond over looking anything but if you're going to answer "have you tried zone?" or "its easy, just brew a tea" please just don't. We've systematically tried to eliminate possibilities, to scientifically try products and to establish a repeatable regiment of long term root health in the RDWC systems... unsuccessfully.
We've tried sterile; h202, zone, bleach. I've controlled the water; merlin 5 filter RO filter, 63* max, 1 hp dedicated chillers, UV sterilizers on water source as well as individual systems. I've tried teas. We've used CC's recommended stable nutrient, Canna (prior to their nutrient release) and run PPM's on a 700 scale at 300-500 in veg, ~700 in flower but never to exceed 900 (less than 1.2 EC.) PH swings, PH pegged. I've literally spent years trying to perfect this system in every possible way that I can think of. I've been successful in other locations (prompting the thought; it's in the water, seriously), and we're even chugging along now, but the expectations from these systems is 3x or 4x what they're producing and I cannot seem to find the root health we need.
I've posted three pictures of vegged plants in our veg systems before they enter the UC RDWC. These are in 20 gallon coolers that swing 62-65*, have 3 12" airstones from a 1hp commercial blower (chilled), running 5.5-6.0ph swing, ~350-400 Canna Veg A/B nutes, with a Heidelberg tea (ancient forest, mycos or EWC, aquashield, Great white or ZHO and molasses.)
The first picture is an empty cooler that has run for 3 days. The buildup of algae/slime is the concern. I can wipe this off daily and it returns, with or without plants, with or without tea. This then progresses to the second picture, roots about 10 days in. The growth is ideal, the plant shows no defficiencies and new roots are white and nice, with the exception of the top of the root mass it is ideal. These start with water essentially at the bottom of the net pot and are lowered to approximately 1" below as the roots establish themselves.
The third picture shows the root mass a few days later. Again, new white growth, no difficiences showing, 'older' growth is showing yellowing/browning tint as usual but the brown and the slime has essentially taken over the top of the root. This stage then progresses as the plant continues its growth cycle and is a constant battle. The plant is healthy but yields are very low. The new root growth continues to start white but given time will be over taken as the pictures show in the veg'd root mass. This is with tea being run the entire cycle, same issues with other products (sterile would delay the onset but the end result was the same.)
So before jumping off a cliff and getting away from my beloved RDWC what are your thoughts and solutions?