Fallponics brown sludge

Meast21

Well-Known Member
if it's algae, it's usually a light issue

have you tried anything other than uc roots?

what medium are you using?
How much algae do you need in you're rez to have an issue? Does algae and root rot go together?? This just happened to me I use the 10 gallon totes that you get at home depot. I've had them for at least 4-5 years and never had this problem can they go bad after a while??
 

Meast21

Well-Known Member
In my experience it's always light leaks that cause sludge. The tiniest bit of light in the rez and brown alge grows. I average 10oz. (dry) Per plant in my hydro system.
I get a little brown sludge in my cloner that sometimes slows the cuts from rooting... Is there a cloner out there that doesn't have the rubber insert's where the stem goes in?? It almost seems like there is a tiny crack for light to get into all these inserts.
 

OrgrO

Well-Known Member
As for your algae problem, your net pots may be your problem. The net pots I use are solid on the sides for the top couple inches. Your net pots are net all the way up the sides. This makes it hard for the clay pellets to block all light.
As mentioned before, white PVC can pass light if intense enough. Always a good idea to light proof PVC pipe.
If using RO water, add a UV filter to kill any algae in your source water.
 

stiffnuts12

Well-Known Member
As for your algae problem, your net pots may be your problem. The net pots I use are solid on the sides for the top couple inches. Your net pots are net all the way up the sides. This makes it hard for the clay pellets to block all light.
As mentioned before, white PVC can pass light if intense enough. Always a good idea to light proof PVC pipe.
If using RO water, add a UV filter to kill any algae in your source water.
Uv filter? I'll have to look this up on Amazon lol
 

Bucsfan80

Well-Known Member
Cover your pvc and net pots (I'd cover those white lids, personally) and clean everything good. I was chasing it myself a while back and was even getting bottled h20 from the machine at Walmart. Had 3, 5gal water jugs and it was 5$ for 15gal. It eventually got old having to get water every few days. I went over my set up completely again and covered any place that light could get to my rez solution. You could get a uv sterilizer and use it b4 you make your mix I guess. I don't know nothing about all that so research the hell out of it.
 
Top