Keeping recirculating DWC sterile

[TheFanLeft]

Hey folks!

I've grown with a DWC setup for years...and am wanting to design a new system with one of those intellidose gadgets to keep everything at optimal levels, ideally so I can have a setup that I don't have to change the water(i.e. set it up and come back in 3 months and harvest). Well, maybe change the water to flush in the middle of the grow and of course at the end.

The question I have is there any way to keep the water sterile to prevent any kind of infection setting in? Can I use a UV light to keep all the bacteria from thriving? Would this light need to be isolated from the roots? Would it cause the nutrients to break down in undesirable ways? Would it be better to just keep steadily dosing the system with h2o2?

It seems that I get pytheum infections once in awhile...at least i think it's pytheum, it's some kind of root snot stuff that has to be kept up with until it's dead. This is the only problem I've ever encountered and want to make sure that it won't happen if I am not monitoring the system regularly.

Am I dreaming of something that is not possible? I've seen grows with people that never changed their water, and they had good results. Just wanted to get some advice before I start experimenting. The ultimate idea is to have a greenhouse with this kind of setup that I can leave unattended with minimal or no problems.

Thanks for any advice or help on the matter!

tfl

TheFanLeft Reviewed by TheFanLeft on 05-02-2008. Keeping recirculating DWC sterile Hey folks! I've grown with a DWC setup for years...and am wanting to design a new system with one of those intellidose gadgets to keep everything at optimal levels, ideally so I can have a setup that I don't have to change the water(i.e. set it up and come back in 3 months and harvest). Well, maybe change the water to flush in the middle of the grow and of course at the end. The question I have is there any way to keep the water sterile to prevent any kind of infection setting in? Can I Rating: 5

[herbie the love bud]

The solution for you my friend is a guerilla grow in the dirt. Throw down some seeds now and come back in september.

[rhizome]

Look @ in-line UV sterilizers for garden ponds.

But I gotta warn ya, yer lookin at nute imbalances if you don't change the res- doser won't fix that.

[Weedhound]

I believe the piece of equipment you are looking for is called an employee....

[TheHappyCamper]

don't forget that these are babies,the more love you put in...the more love you'll get out of them. and i agree guerilla style sounds more like what you might be looking for. as you know already from your experience, indoor hydro is all about attention to detail.IMO...