Identifiy the problem

[Gen]

the ph rises due to uptake of CO2. The water is the limiting factor. The plants do not discharge into the water.

[marx2k]

In the last 2 days the plants have stabilized (stopped turning crappy colors and spotting and dying) and have begun rapid growth again. On top as well as on the bottom. The PPM's have stabilized at around 800 for 1 plant and 1060 on another. So far, both are taking those nutes like little champs. The PH on both have stabilized at 5.7 on one plant and 5.8 on another. The hotter it gets, the higher the pH seems to go. Right now the rez's are at 73.4F and have been all night (It's a chilly night outside) and everything is going smooth. I now know I will NOT be able to see these flower as the heat outside is going to go nuts. I will take a clone from the better of the two plants and mother the clone through the summer and go full steam ahead once temps outside go down after the summer to at most 60. By then I will have the cooltube set up and will be ready for a full-on project.

This also gave me a chance to try these 5" round airstones. They seem to work real well but I want MORE bubbles. And right now I have 2 airpumps working together to pump one stone in each DWC, so 4 pumps altogether. What I was hoping for was a very fine mist of bubbles like you'd see when opening up a bottle of club soda. This is not exactly it. Can anyone recommend some good airstones to put in the bottom of the DWC buckets? That one pump will create a nice oxygen mist in the water? I was considering those flexible long airtubes. Anyone have any experience with these?

[Zandor]

the ph rises due to uptake of CO2. The water is the limiting factor. The plants do not discharge into the water.

Maybe we are not talking about the same thing Gen.

Plants do discharge unused nutrients and by-products back into the water. That is why the PPM is only accurate at the time it's mixed. After a few hours with the plants it will start to change. Another reason why you change your res every 5-10 day's.

[GluteusMaximus]

Marx,

I use a bubble wand in my reservoir and it works great. Lots of tiny bubbles everywhere. If you enjoy playing with the PH, add more air A small price to pay for more oxygen.

http://www.aquariumguys.com/airstones.html

GM

[marx2k]

Gluteus, how do you keep these submerged? Also, do they clog after some time? I can always hot-glue the little plastic sucker holders it uses to the bottom of the bucket. But would you have a better method? Maybe this belongs in a new thread?

[GluteusMaximus]

I attached my bubble wand to the side of the hose coming out of the reservoir pump using two tie straps. The reservoir pump holds down the bubbler. I thought about sticking it to the bottom with the suction cups, but I figured they'd never be able to hold it down.

Yes, they will clog after time, but they're so damn cheap it doesn't really matter.

GM

[Gen]

Thanks z my mistake.

I'm using the flexible bubble curtain from walmart. $7 and they have not clogged yet. How long does it take before your plug up?

Good air pump general dynamics. I'm not using, but other people have and there are alot of bubbles. I believe it has 4 outlets.

[GluteusMaximus]

I'm using a flood and drain so the air pump is just suplimental. My 23" bubble wand (non flexible) began to clog about half way down the length of it after about 3 years in an aquarium. I haven't had enough time in hydro to witness one clog in nutrients.

I figure they clog from dirty air being pumped into them. But again, they're so damn cheap, you could afford to warehouse them.

I'm not sure, but it appears that the smaller diameter tubes provide smaller bubbles. My wand is very thin, about the diameter of a pencil and it gives me a tank full of bubbles. I broke it while stiring the reservoir (twice). Just capped the end of the shortened piece and back in business.

[maryjannne]

my lower fan leaves are doing the exact same thing, just the leaves that have been there the longest, I thought it might be my neem oil causing shiny spots but anyone who saw the pic said it looks like bug damage, anyone ever heard of neem causing shiny spots?

[Rictor]

My guess would be over use of fert.