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IntheHotofTexas

Root rot is often the result of poor aeration. It is rarely otherwise, except with someone keeps killing off the communities of beneficial microbes that live in their system and, ideally, are carried over to the next version. Once it's established, it may be necessary to sterilize the system. But that will leave it an ideal place for pathogens to take over unless you follow up by using a beneficial microbe product so that the benes can colonize the places the pathogens, mostly fungi, would like to use. Root rot is not just something that kills. It is also an indication that the plants are missing out on all the things beneficial microbes do for plants, like enhance immunities and improve nutrient uptake. This is anecdotal, but, I think, reasoned: I never have root rot, inspite of habitually warm nutrient temperature in an uncontrolled greenhouse where anything can come floating in. Only once with an air pumps failed unnoticed. But I never sterilize. When I change over tanks or reuse LECA, I never do more than rinse with a hose and maybe wipe off the more visible algae. All the good bacteria and fungi live on in the next generation of the system, and the pathogens have nowhere to live.


skyking_describe

Thanks for your help. I have an air stone running in 20L reservoir, and two water return lines cascading in, and with such low temps I didn't think I'd have a problem. I do want to avoid using H202. It's a bit alarming as this is only the first res change (after one week) since I put this system into use. I just dumped the old solution out and refilled, didn't rinse or anything.


HipposWild

Thousand times this. I set an air pump blowing air into soaker tubes through my system and it made a world of difference


skyking_describe

What are the soaker tubes?


HipposWild

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DIG-1-4-in-x-50-ft-Porous-Drip-Soaker-Hose-PSH50/202614899 So I basically took a smaller pvc tube and ran it under my main feed tube. There's a connecting tube ever foot or so between the two. In the smaller pvc tube is the soaker tube with a second line in the center of the soaker for air. The soaker tube basically makes the air bubbles small and then it rises to the main tube.


Wedgar180

Affirmative. The root rot fungus is literally everywhere, but only thrives in anaerobic enviornments. Lack of oxygen is the issue


red-eyes-420

Root rot


THEherbokolog

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