I got algae....... I think??? How can I get rid??

[SCIENTIXT]

It looks like algae. For the first two weeks of flowering I was unknowingly using dirty water. I bought it from a machine that claimed RO process but when I decided to test it, two weeks after using, I found that the tds was at 170. That was dirtier than my tap in the kitchen. Anyway, does anyone know how I can get rid of it?

I have a hydro drip system.

SCIENTIXT Reviewed by SCIENTIXT on 07-10-2007. I got algae....... I think??? How can I get rid?? It looks like algae. For the first two weeks of flowering I was unknowingly using dirty water. I bought it from a machine that claimed RO process but when I decided to test it, two weeks after using, I found that the tds was at 170. That was dirtier than my tap in the kitchen. Anyway, does anyone know how I can get rid of it? I have a hydro drip system. Rating: 5

[the image reaper]

I'm not a hydro-guy, and not familiar with your setup ... but, the only thing I know of that kills algae, is chlorine bleach ... I would say to dump all your water out, wash down the tanks and tubings, etc., with a watered-down bleach solution ... then rinse it out, and replace with your water/nutes mixture ... you evidently have light getting to your tank, etc. for algae to grow ... no sunlight allowed in the water reservoir ... that RO machine probably needs its filters changed, and the solids are more than likely to be calcium buildup, (which usually acidifies your water) ... hope this helps a little :smokin:

[rhizome]

Just block the light. Won't grow in the dark. That's why we use res covers.

Little bit of algae isn't going to hurt anything. A lot of algae should be cleaned up, as there are insects which will feed on it- and they're annoying. A whole lot of algae can present a "slip and fall" hazard- I reccommend swamp shoes and a squeegee.

Algae is just a fact of life in hydro- anywhere that solution is exposed to light, it'll grow. If you're using clear tubing for anything, it'll grow inside the tube.

Next time you're broken down, clean everything well.

You can slow algae down, but short of going to an algicide, it's tough to eliminate. If it's just a little algea on the top of your media- welcome to drip. Happens to everybody eventually.

If it's blocking your drippers, strip feed system down and peroxide it.

[SCIENTIXT]

Thank you for the replies.

Reaper - If I did go the chlorinated water route, what would the water mix ratio be?

rhizome - The algae is on the grow media in two of the eight pots on this system. I covered the pots just last night as I noticed the algae but I did not know that algae can't grow in the dark. Good news then I guess. So tonight I will go back in and try to light proof all the pots as best as possible. Do you think that adding more grow rocks to cover the algae would help as well, seeing as I still have room to add rocks to each pot?

Thanks again.

[the image reaper]

Thank you for the replies.

Reaper - If I did go the chlorinated water route, what would the water mix ratio be?

rhizome - The algae is on the grow media in two of the eight pots on this system. I covered the pots just last night as I noticed the algae but I did not know that algae can't grow in the dark. Good news then I guess. So tonight I will go back in and try to light proof all the pots as best as possible. Do you think that adding more grow rocks to cover the algae would help as well, seeing as I still have room to add rocks to each pot?

Thanks again.

if you're just washing out your tank and lines, isn't important ... it's just that bleach is hard on your hands, etc... a cupful in a gallon of water should be easily strong enough for serious disinfecting ... Rhyzome's suggestion of hydrogen peroxide is also good, and it is more compatible with plants (I had forgotten all about using that) ... :smokin: