hillbillybuddha
Active Member
Did a quick search and didn't see anything related. Anyway, what should i do to control algee in my reservoir or do i even need too? Will it effect my PPM readings? Thanks
Hillbillybuddha
Hillbillybuddha
algae
- Thread starter hillbillybuddha
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SnaFuu
Well-Known Member
Spot-on advice
hillbillybuddha
Active Member
Thanks guys. I realized that while searching, I was spelling it wrong. Emm. Anyway, spelling Algae correctly, helped my search and there is a lot of info out there.
Which leads me to another question, (one that I admit I haven't searched yet) what else would make my PPM's go up?
Which leads me to another question, (one that I admit I haven't searched yet) what else would make my PPM's go up?
Tone5500
Well-Known Member
Evaporation of the water ,. Ph solution , and pretty much anything else you put in the water
WestDenverPioneer
Well-Known Member
First, let's make sure you're talking about algae in the res. If light is getting into your res then the algae will easily grow. You do not want algae growing up top or down below. You need to make sure your res is light tight. The algae will not grow in your res once you eliminate all sources of light.
If your res is light tight.... that's not algae. You have a bio film growing in there and it may or may not be bad. If you are using organic nutrients the film in the res should be expected. In fact, a good layer of grit in there is a good thing for organics. Treat it like the bottom of a pond and don't disturb it. Allow it to settle and do its thing. You'll learn over time when its time to clean it out, and how much. Similar to maintaining an aquarium.
SeedHo
Well-Known Member
hillbilly how much are we talking about on the ppms. small amounts could be nothing but a cheap meter, or your meter could be out of calibration...are your plants looking ok.....take part from each one of the replys above could be your answer. if you have light leaks it could cause rapid evaporation, causing the ppms to rise. but with a lot of evaporation your ph fluctuation would be crazy going up very fast as well.
give us a little more info.
give us a little more info.
hillbillybuddha
Active Member
I have a new BlueLab PPM meter and it's calibrated. I bought the bluelab calibration solution and used it less then a month ago. Still has the little "check mark" on the screen.
The PPM's went from 820 to 1080 in 3 days. And the plants look fine so I'm not all that concerned. Just more curious and wanted to make sure it wasn't going to cause a problem down the line.
The PPM's went from 820 to 1080 in 3 days. And the plants look fine so I'm not all that concerned. Just more curious and wanted to make sure it wasn't going to cause a problem down the line.
hillbillybuddha
Active Member
Yeah, but not at the same rate. In the same period it went from 5.6 to 5.8. That seemed reasonable to me so i didn't think to mention it.
SeedHo
Well-Known Member
it almost makes me want to point at the meter. i`ve heard that there has been some trouble with the blue labs pens, i don`t have one so i can`t say for sure. you can duckduckgo that to see if it apply to yours. if your not losing much water and the ph drift is good(like you have), i don`t see a physical reason for the ppms to go up. i used silica rock as a medium before and that caused all kinds of crazy readings, but it was from the medium. it also gummed up my plumbing and pumps, nasty shit. i don`t use a ppm meter much anymore i ph and thats about it. if the plants keep that healthy glow then i call it good. now thats me and i`m comfortable with the nute lines i use, so i not saying you don`t need to check it, i`m just saying i don`t. if i`m trying something new i`ll break it out to help me see whats going on, but that is about it. recalibrate and see if it keeps going up.