pH problems - What to avoid?

[Gen]

I use hydrogen peroxide to clean my used containers. It's cheap. Pour a small amount in and swish around. No odor. You can also use it straight to rinse algea off roots. Won't hurt the plant. I suspect florakleen has H202 as the main ingredient.

I use the flexible air bubblers from walmart and the dual outlet air pump. So far no blockage. What's nice about the air pump is one side will still work even if the other side doesn't have anything hooked to it. No, the bubbler will not hurt roots. I tried using a pond pump and ended up destroying roots, that's why I had to go to the nylon stockings for protection.

So by having alot of failures, you will become a better grower. Yes, you can use smaller containers. I have clones floating in a kitty litter pan. Hydro is fun, but I still grow in soil until I can get all the bugs out of hydro.

Too bad overgrow is gone. Alot of pictures doing just what you described.

[mountainman]

something I learned from another member here a while back (britewire, I think)...florakleen is an excellent cleaner.

I now soak (24 hrs.) my hydroton in Florakleen...It removes/neutralizes all salts in your medium.
It also works great to clean everything...a quick spritz down and wipe, you are ready to go...add a squeeze of lemon..."pledge for plants". Just kidding, lol No lemon.

Really though, I have had a healthier grow without a doubt, since using Florakleen to; Clean

When I clean up tubs, implements or tools:
I rinse thoroughly with hot sprayed water...
wash out with Clear Dawn w/bleach...
Then I spray thoroughly, again...
I dilute florakleen as per manufacturer's intruction's, and soak for 24 hours.

I do this for my hydroton and I am experimenting with cleaning my large trays of perlite. I use the large Foxfarm perlite, it is about 4x the size of SchultZ(walmart) perlite.
so, I though, what the hell...wash it rinse it clean it, place clones in it! I'll post results in Sneakpeek thread at later date. Hope this helps. lw

Oh yeah, wasn't his post about "No longer be embarassed by dirty balls!" ?

[elcheapo]

Thanks Gen.
H202 is great stuff but care should be taken as it's a very powerful oxidising agent, even in low percentage solutions.

[Gen]

the h2o2 at the drugstore is 3%. there is a whole philosophy of medicine where people are drinking 35% h202. Chlorine gas is very toxic.

[elcheapo]

Definitely don't drink a 35% solution of H202. It will most likely kill you. I am fairly well researched on Hydrogen peroxide. I have also used it in other non growing related experiments.
Some say it's a miracle cure, others say it's a snake oil. I have read about people using diluted solutions through an inhaler to help clean and oxygenate the lungs. Also others that involve oral consumption, direct injection and topical therapy. The only known deaths have occurred from people inadvertently drinking a 30%+ solution thinking it was water.
There aren't a lot of studies in regards to its benefits and side effects as no drug companies can profit from it.
Hydrogen peroxide is man made but it is also formed in the environment and is present in rain water.
It has been said that oral consumption breaks down the H202 in the stomach causing problems rather than benefits.
I recommended that you only use an extremely diluted solution of food grade H202. The 3% Drugstore type solutions contain undesirable stabilizers.
Here is a link with more detail :- http://educate-yourself.org/cancer/b...e17jul03.shtml
This website seems to be pro H202. There are many that aren't.

[latewood]

h2o2 does not remove/flush the mineral salts...h2o2 destroys all organic bacteria good/bad though.

Gen, I love ya darlin', but If florakleen was h2o2, I would only spend the 3 dollars, also!

and yes, bleach is chlorine which is a salt, also...

so like I said above...I clean with the detergent bleach, just to get rid of all the nasty stuff...then I florakleen* it and it is fresh. no salts...no micro-organisms!

* you can substitute any pro flushing agent on the market.
Let's face it...All flushings agents do what? lw

[Gen]

late, love you too. But plain ole water flushes salts/minerals too.

As far as taking h202 these people are already sick.

[latewood]

got a couple emails today...looks like I will be coughing up strawberry's with the widow soon.

yeah i know you can flush with water, but this stuff really works. (It actually flushes plants, very well in 2-3 days)

I always ended up with salt build-up after a couple of grows...you could see it.
Since using the florakleen, I have noticed no residual salt build-up, and My ph levels have been so consistent...That, at times, I have questioned whether or not my milwaukee (ole faithful) ph meter had taken a dump on me stuck at 5.8.

Your turn! LOL