keeping clean tote/rez to prevent disease

[Budsmoker187]

What are some methods besides cleaning to keep any slim/disease away from roots? any solutions or techniques to keep these things away?

 

[hashpot]

Dutch Master Zone is a Root Zone Conditioner for Hydroponic systems susceptible to disease such as brand new/cleaned systems. It is applied to the nutrient solution @ 1tsp per 5/gal.

Will destroy all microbial/algae/bugs/disease/parasite/etc.

 

[FeFiFoFUM]

What are some methods besides cleaning to keep any slim/disease away from roots? any solutions or techniques to keep these things away?

H2O2 is a method used, a long with SM90
I Use beneficial bacteria to keep nasties away from my roots, beneficial bacteria also allow you to run a warmer res in case keeping your res cool is an issue.

 

[bob stine]

like he said hydrogen peroxide i've seen it work in clear containers even ...not a good idea to use clear, but i've seen it lasts about 4 days

 

[Heisenberg]

Dutch Master Zone is a Root Zone Conditioner for Hydroponic systems susceptible to disease such as brand new/cleaned systems. It is applied to the nutrient solution @ 1tsp per 5/gal.

Will destroy all microbial/algae/bugs/disease/parasite/etc.

Zone is perhaps the best hydro sterilizing agent on the market, but in a DWC some pathogens will still be present and if given a chance to gain a foothold, they will. I have used Zone at 5ml per gallon +h202 with perfect res conditions and still had root slime issues. If you want to keep a clean, headache free res, save the sterilizers for equipment between grows and populate your res with beneficial microbes.

Other methods include bio-filters, which incorporate pro-bacteria/fungi while trying to filter out contaminates. UV sterilizers seem to work pretty well at killing stuff, but they cause some elements of the nute solution to become useless, so not the best choice.

If you use nutes which include chelating agents h202 can decrease their performance.

According to Dutch Master

Commonly known as H2O2, is intended for cleaning equipment and treating well water only. Often, it is sold on the premises as "extra oxygen" for roots. H2O2 is a highly reactive molecule. It is an oxidizing agent that is unstable in solution and tends to rip away electrons from other sources such as living matter (including root cells, bacteria and your skin!!) and chelating agents as well as reacting with other organic matter. This is what makes it an effective "cleaning" agent. However, for this reason it is not recommended in root zones or nutrient solutions. Adding too much H2O2 can kill your plants by damaging the roots, and render 'Hydroponic Nutrient Solutions' less effective by breaking down chelating agents.

It is recommended that you follow label instructions on dilution rates and treat water beforehand with H2O2 and allow at least 24 - 36 hours for most of it to react and become water and oxygen. Then use this "sterilized" and oxygenated water for your nutrient solution. Remember to keep the nutrient temperatures between 60 - 70 F / 16 - 22 C to keep the oxygen dissolved in the water.