Grow Mediums great white myco or real growers recharge?

[puggle6]

Oh, I also use a pond bio press, it serves as a solids filter and surface area for microbes that and the fabric pots.

That's it in the middle with manifold feeding each pot.

I get algae as I'm to lazy to black out the tray but I just wash that down into the res and the pump pushes it into the bio press where it dies and microbes process it. When I clean the bio press it just has small amounts of sediment, no smell etc.

The bio press also has an inline UV sterilization if I ever get a bad Bloom but I never have as yet.

Often, later in the grow when roots are pruning at the surface of the fabric pots the pots all turn White and fuzzy, I'm tipping it's the trichoderma so all indications are that my theory of how to support them is working



f6

 

[Muddy]

I've read the exact opposite though. Maybe I'll do a test on plants and see which does better. I read lots of growers with success using Bennie's in hydro. How is beneficial bacteria and fungi considered organic by the way. You can use synthetic nutrients with bennies and it doesn't kill the bennies. Organics and hydro don't mix, your a hundred percent right on that. But I've read lots of users online using Bennie's with good results and no problems such as pythium. Maybe you should read up more on Bennie's. People recommend them over the sterile route. Then theres people on your side of the fence who won't do anything else so I don't know. I think I'm going to have to conduct a test next round on what works better on the same strain. Sterile Vs Bennie's will be the test

I've been down that testing road already and for me, sterile wins hands down. I guess it's what you consider bennies to be. If you're using synthetic nutrients you don't need bacteria and fungi. Their purpose in organics is to break the complex nutes down and make them available to the plant. Synthetics are immediately available and don't require that process, so running bacteria and fungi with synthetics is a waste of time and money. Trust me, I've ready plenty on bennies and I've done my share of trial and error using them. With a good nutrient line, one designed especially for hydro, additional bennies shouldn't be needed. The only thing I've had to supplement the CS line with is some epsom salts on one or two strains that like a lot of magnesium. I run their base A & B, cal/mag, and either their Early, Mid, or Late flower based on what growth stage I'm in. UC Roots to keep it sterile. Very simple and straight forward and a lot of money saved compared to running an organic line.

 

[Muddy]

I've read people say they have gotten root rot or slimed using sterile methods. Once they switched to the teas or Bennie's there problems went away and never came back

If they were getting root rot or slime then they weren't sterile. In a true sterile environment it's virtually impossible for those to grow.

 

[NorthernLights_420]

Now I don't know what to think. Lol

 

[Muddy]

Now I don't know what to think. Lol

Maybe I should have said it's virtually impossible but the chances are very slim as long as you maintain your ORP (Oxygen Reduction Potential) level. I bought an ORP meter last year and checked my system daily for several months. When I change out my system I add UC Roots at 3 ml per gallon. Then I add it again weekly at the same rate. I find that keeps me in the proper ORP range. My roots are nice and white and I've not had one root issue since going sterile. I also have UV sterilization on my RO system, which kills any bacteria that might survive the RO process.

 

[NorthernLights_420]

So I'm doing fine with just hydroguard at this point. I'll buy more for sure. But in case root problems happen I plan to invest in mycogrow soluble. Ancient forest humus soil. Unsulphered blackstrap organic molasses to feed the microbes. And I'll just brew my own tea, Heisenberg recipe from RIU2

Maybe I should have said it's virtually impossible but the chances are very slim as long as you maintain your ORP (Oxygen Reduction Potential) level. I bought an ORP meter last year and checked my system daily for several months. When I change out my system I add UC Roots at 3 ml per gallon. Then I add it again weekly at the same rate. I find that keeps me in the proper ORP range. My roots are nice and white and I've not had one root issue since going sterile. I also have UV sterilization on my RO system, which kills any bacteria that might survive the RO process.

I didn't know bout uv sterilizer when I bought mine. Mine is 5 stage but no uv filter. Only running hydroguard now and having success. My buddy uses sterile in his rdwc but makes his own with sodium hypoclorite or calcium hypoclorite. Not sure which 1.

 

[puggle6]

Go ez on the molasses, unless the sugars are being taken up it will make a mess of everything including ppm and pH


6

 

[NorthernLights_420]

Go ez on the molasses, unless the sugars are being taken up it will make a mess of everything including ppm and pH


6

Thanks for the heads up. I probably won't even use the tea unless it's needed. If slime occurs or if root rot occurs it would be nice to have on hand to try it out. Read lots of success stories in Heisenbergs thread on RIU. Heisenberg says if you don't need it you don't have to use it though, but you can as a preventive measure if it makes you feel better. But in my opinion that's more work making tea and money to mention. If you don't have any problems and don't have to make it why waste the time is how I'm feeling. But it's like piece of mind having it in case I need it. Better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it. I'm going to order some uc roots and Dutch master zone to try those sterile products on 1 plant each also. I'll see what works better for me, sterile or hydroguard for now. If problems occur then the tea gets made and I'll already have everything I need and wouldn't have to go looking for it around town or wouldn't have to wait for it if I ordered the stuff. When problems occur it's better to try and solve them right away you know. Just in case, you never know. Growing in water can have it's challenges that's for sure. But if dine right it has its rewards and benefits also. I'm just trying to master what works best for me and my set up with minimal problems. I've watched friends start in hydro and give up and switch to soil. I'm hard headed and refuse because I know hydroponics is faster growth, can bring on larger yields and stronger weed than organic or soil grown. Don't get me wrong, soil may win on taste, especially organic weed. But I still love my hydro. Still taste good to me. Lol

 

[puggle6]

Imo if you do it correctly the only difference is hydro will probably yield a bit more.

6

 

[Muddy]

I didn't know bout uv sterilizer when I bought mine. Mine is 5 stage but no uv filter. Only running hydroguard now and having success. My buddy uses sterile in his rdwc but makes his own with sodium hypoclorite or calcium hypoclorite. Not sure which 1.

The UV sterilizers are an add on. My RO unit is a Hydrologic and it came with clips to attach it right on top of the RO membrane. It connects with the same 1/4 or 3/8" tubes, don't remember which, so it could be added to just about any brand of RO system. I think I paid about $80 for it, maybe less. I'd also suggest an bypass for back flushing your membrane. They are only about $20 on eBay and will greatly extend the life of the RO membrane. I back flush mine about once a week for 5-10 minutes.