Lazy Man's Way to Cleaner Hydroponic Cannabis

I was just thinking why not put an inline UV filter on like we use in aquariums and ponds?
They are not very expensive ranging from about $50 to $425
for this https://www.amazon.com/S8Q-PA-VIQUA-UltraViolet-Disinfection-System/dp/B00571KHDM

This kills bacteria and many types of algae. Downside same as in aquariums would probably be less hardy plants/livestock.

ANC said:

I was just thinking why not put an inline UV filter on like we use in aquariums and ponds?
They are not very expensive ranging from about $50 to $425
for this https://www.amazon.com/S8Q-PA-VIQUA-UltraViolet-Disinfection-System/dp/B00571KHDM

This kills bacteria and many types of algae. Downside same as in aquariums would probably be less hardy plants/livestock.

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The high EC would probably play havoc with the quartz sleeve but I'm not sure. I fill with UV treated (whole house) water but I still have to watch temps or the rot will come.

My other hobby is planted aquariums. This involves high light, water turnover and injected CO2.
If you are using a daily feeding regimen, you have to add iron several times a week, as it gets used up fast and the rest binds and chelates with many things, this is even without UV. (UV should generally only be run when you are trying to kill pathogens), so I have to say it is the first time I heard of the light/iron thing. I'll take your word for it until I'm done wake and baking and a bit less stoned so I can look up shit.

nxsov180db said:

UV gets ride of the iron in your nute solution. After a day or two the color of your nute solution will change from the reddish brown to a much lighter color and a few days after that you'll see the deficiancies..

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Can you show me any proof of this?

nxsov180db said:

I don't know how to show you proof exactly.. I've read that UV light could cause issues with the Iron in the nutrient mix so I went ahead and used it anyways and experienced the problems I mentioned above... I wish it wasn't true or I would still be using my UV bulbs in my reservoirs, my reservoir temp sits between 78-82 degree's. The UV did keep things very sterile, I still use one in my cloner...

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Not sure what issues you had but UV light does not remove iron.

nxsov180db said:

Have you ever used a UV light in your res? Or only water that was previously treated with a UV light?

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I install and service water treatment systems and UV does not remove iron from the water. Does it do something to your particular setup? I have no clue, but you said it removed iron so I thought I would clarify that it does not .

I always have to be on guard concerning root rot . I grow RDWC. I have a whole house UV system, but only use it for my water going to the holding tank that I use to mix my nutes for the res. I had read that putting nutrients through a UV system would cause the chelates to separate from the nutrients and therefore make it impossible for the plants to absorb all the nutrients they need thus causing deficiencies. Well... it's true. I mixed up 18L of nutrient solution in a bucket and put it through the UV system and back to the bucket. Pretty quick the solution become a bit cloudy. I left it a couple days and whatever separated settled to the bottom. When I dumped it out it was very easy to see the last of the solution was a light orange color which I can only guess was the chelates.

I don't know the chemistry behind this, but I'm sure there's someone that will read this that could explain it. I use Remo Nutrients. There may be nutrients out there that you can use UV with. I really don't know, but I doubt it because I think all high quality nutrients are made using chelates which in turn make it easier for the plants to absorb the food.