Algae & Rockwool - How do you deal with it?

[maryvv22]

I have some on the tops of my 6" cubes and some on my grow mats (not severe but still there). Most of my plants look good but a few look kind of wilty and weak. Anyone out there with the same problem and any idea on how to deal with it? Also for next time how can I prevent it from starting in the first place? If this is addressed somewhere else I'm sorry but I looked around the site first and couldn't find any conclusive info. Thanks!:thumbsup:

[stinkyattic]

Algae and rockwool go hand in hand.
It needs light to grow, so preventing light from hitting the surface is a good start.
Usually it is simply cosmetic, but yes, if it gets out of hand to the point where it starts to rot, you have a problem.
I'm not a hydro nut but there are other threads about fixing this in the hydro section.

[picilo]

Brite Ideas Hydroponics and Organics :: Hydro Kit Accessories :: Pots & Net Cups :: American Agritech Root Guards 2"-6" (http://www.bihydro.com/eshop/product.php?productid=467&cat=362&page=1)


These help stop light from hitting your rock wool. laterz..


picilo:stoned:

[palerider7777]

only thing Algae does thats really bad is algae and the planet ends up competing for oxygen so aslong as the roots have air it should be fine so if it's in the res and closed with no oxygen then the roots have less air and there for can lead to starving the plant of oxygen thats why dwc is good cause not only does the plant get the nutes but constant air being pumped in as well so on top of rocwool not so bad

[palerider7777]

Algae uses air as do plants

[Opie Yutts]

Algae & Rockwool - How do you deal with it?

By not using rockwool.

Seriously though, don't worry about it. I don't think you can stop it, unless you keep the light from it.

Please consider using clay pellets. Way better than rockwool in my humble opinion. Much easier to work with, completly reusable, doesn't hold vast quantities of moisture as rockwool does.

[GoldenGoblin]

I noticed that too while using 1" and transplanting to 4". Then I went Hydroton for finishing. Thinking about just the 1" then into Hydroton pots. Should battle the algae a little better.

[palerider7777]

Algae & Rockwool - How do you deal with it?




Please consider using clay pellets. Way better than rockwool in my humble opinion. Much easier to work with, completly reusable, doesn't hold vast quantities of moisture as rockwool does.

^^^^^^^^^
yea u use the clay pellets but u still have to have either rocwool or the moss peat plugs, my fav they don't attract as much alge as the rocwool + iv'e noticed a big growing diffrence with them but u still have to start the seeds in something not just clay pellets u might get away with clones like that but i still think it's not as good as having something to root in first

[Opie Yutts]

I noticed that too while using 1" and transplanting to 4". Then I went Hydroton for finishing. Thinking about just the 1" then into Hydroton pots. Should battle the algae a little better.

Why all the transplanting? When the clones have about 3 inches of good, furry roots, put them in a 5 or 6 inch net pot with a 1 inch strip of capilary matting (it's just kinda like a wick) touching the roots and the bottom of the pot. Gently fill in clay pellets around the plant.

KISS (keep it simple, smarty)

[Opie Yutts]

^^^^^^^^^
yea u use the clay pellets but u still have to have either rocwool or the moss peat plugs...but u still have to start the seeds in something not just clay pellets

NO rockwool! Bleah, I hate that stuff.

I assumed we were talking about clones for some reason, but in the rare occassion I start from seed, I put the seeds in PH adjusted dirt, with NO ferts, keep em warm and moist, and they almost always sprout. Then I let them grow a few weeks until sexing, then I take cuttings.

When I want a plant to grow in soil for the duration, I put clones with about 3 inch roots directly into the soil, and that's it. No transplanting.

I like to start with clones, even if I'm using soil. It's been my experience that it's much easier to get a good healthy root mass by starting a plant with scarification (search it), and a bubble cloner. And of course that way I already know she's a lady.

[chudderhead]

I have been using rockwell for 12 years and i think it is great . I just use white cotton rags to cover it up around the base of the plants.

[swisha]

rockwood and lavarock/clay pellets work great for hydro. but all will grow algae if left in the light. just had this prob in my system, easy fix. i use mesh pots with the medium i just talked about and covered with a pot lid same size as my pots. actually ordered them together as a set. anyway try some mylar, white plastic, lids, anything to keep the light off the tops of your pots. also check your other parts of the system, you shouldn't use clear tubing or im my case white buckets. i covered my buckets and cleaned everything nice and finished my grow. next time around had no problems. hope that might help.

[fatsax]

i just cover the rockwool with clay pebbles,same as the grow media.the top of the pots dont get wet so no algae grows when ive done this.

[bongerstonerd00d]

Those white styrafoam desert sized disposable plates work in a pinch, too. Just cut slit to center, and make center hole large enough to accomodate stem. Cheap and easy netpot cover.



b0nger

[fatsax]

ahhhhhhhh the plate idea sounds good ^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[bongerstonerd00d]

Fat, dont tell anyone, but I stole that idea from Weedhound. I gotta give the gurl her credit when credit is due.......LOL Get creative bro, you got all kinds of shit laying around you can incorporate into your grows that costs next to nothing. Thats the beauty of this hobby. Best of luck with yer grow.



b0nger

[oldsanclem]

I have been using thick Black trash bags:thumbsup: cut to fit the buckets. Cut a slit and a hole:thumbsup:. This is reusable:thumbsup::D, no mold and I use a air stone in the main resivore. All water /ferts area are covered with black plastic.
My tank is outside in the ground and is also covered with 3 1/2 fiberglass batting.
Note only have grown for a few decades so still prefecting growing.:pimp:
Automated system using a old computer and Relayrunner program. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
Plants happy me happy , world happy, except for a few grumpy people.:(