Fallponics brown sludge

[stiffnuts12]

Well this is my second run on a 4 bucket fallponics system . Running jacks 321 nutrients. Have a chiller set at 68 degrees. Have a chilled growcraft led 600x6. Ph is at 5.8 controlled by a blue lab controller. Ec is at 1.2. Temperature of room is at 78 degrees humidity is at 45%. Using rc roots for a cleaner

My issue is I keep getting this weird brown sludge. I think it's brown algae. I've found it around my roots getting trapped floating around in the water and trapped in my water supply to the chiller. What am I doing wrong

 

[rkymtnman]

light leaks?

 

[stiffnuts12]

light leaks?

Hmmm not that I can think of

 

[stiffnuts12]

Hmmm not that I can think of

Shit well my top off res is in a lighted area that may have done it

 

[rkymtnman]

if it's algae, it's usually a light issue

have you tried anything other than uc roots?

what medium are you using?

 

[rkymtnman]

Shit well my top off res is in a lighted area that may have done it

are all the reservoirs light proof? all the tubing light proof?

 

[stiffnuts12]

if it's algae, it's usually a light issue

have you tried anything other than uc roots?

what medium are you using?

I'm using the clay balls. I haven't used anything besides uc roots.what else is good to run? I haven't had avery good experience doing hydroponics so far I can't get a good yield. Thinking about going back to soil

 

[stiffnuts12]

are all the reservoirs light proof? all the tubing light proof?

Will algae mess up my yields? My tubing is all heavy duty black tubing

 

[rkymtnman]

honestly, with all the parameters you put up, i don't see anything obvious that could cause you problems.

does the fallponics feed thru the hydroton? if not, try to get some of the uc roots in the entire net pot too.

i used pool shock and now bennies. both worked well for me.

 

[rkymtnman]

Will algae mess up my yields?

not really.
if it's not algae and maybe root rot, then yes. if rot and not fixed it will kill your plants eventually. algae is just more of a nuisance

 

[stiffnuts12]

This is what is my system. Just harvest so a bit dirty lol

 

[stiffnuts12]

not really.
if it's not algae and maybe root rot, then yes. if rot and not fixed it will kill your plants eventually. algae is just more of a nuisance

Hell maybe I do have root rot . How often should I use the uc roots? I've been using 50ml every other day to 20 gallons of water

 

[rkymtnman]

if you take that white cover (where the net pot sits) off each unit and hold it to a light, can you see thru it?

 

[stiffnuts12]

if you take that white cover (where the net pot sits) off each unit and hold it to a light, can you see thru it?

Idk haven't tried that

 

[xtsho]

Did you soak and rinse those clay balls really good before using them? They can leave residue.

 

[rkymtnman]

Idk haven't tried that

if those let even abit of light in, that's probably it.

 

[stiffnuts12]

Did you soak and rinse those clay balls really good before using them? They can leave residue.

Yes I did I'm not a big fan of the clay balls

 

[xtsho]

Yes I did I'm not a big fan of the clay balls

I used them for years. I reused them as well. I had a 5 gallon bucket I drilled a ton of holes in that I'd take outside and use the garden hose on. I always wanted to try those coco coir chunks but stopped growing for some years. When I started back up I didn't want to hassle with hydro or recirculating systems so I went to straight coco. Now I grow in coco and soil and I sure don't miss the tubs of water, hoses, pumps, etc... I never had any issues it just isn't worth the hassle to me for a small grow.

Good luck on resolving your issue.

 

[rkymtnman]

Yes I did I'm not a big fan of the clay balls

i use a mix of them and growstones for almost a decade now. i think they are great. tons of aeration and easy to re-use like @xtsho said

 

[stiffnuts12]

Growstones look legit