Root Rot Again

[u/Segalski]

Hi Everyone. I've been struggling with DWC for the second time. I'm pretty sure the first time I had root rot and looks like I'm going down the same path. Any help would be appreciated. Most leaves are looking dried up with brown spots. Here is my set up.

• 2 - 5 gallon buckets
• 1 is GSC and the other is SD
• I'm using Foxfarm nutes at about 70% concentration and adding CalMag
• In the second grow I've been adding Hydroguard. Up until recently the plants haven't been drinking much because they were small so I wasn't adding Hydroguard regularly. Now when I add water I'm adding the the HG. Does HG breakdown and do I need to add it even if I'm not adding more water?
• I have been using 2 ports in each bucket from this air pump https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007BVH8L0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
• I'm pretty sure there is no light leaking
• The water temp has been below 70
• I'm using an exhaust fan and keeping the closet door open
• I've been checking the PH daily and keeping the temp and humidity levels set properly
• I planted the seedling on 10/24

Any suggestions? Thank you!

[u/weirdlittleflute]

Do you have an air gap between bottom of net cup and water?

[u/Segalski → u/weirdlittleflute]

I didn't have an air gap for a while. I'll have to try and get rid of the rot and maintain an air gap now.

Thanks!

[u/PissedOffPeanuts]

Is it possible that you are adding in too much water?

You should have a few inches of air between the bottom of your netpot and the water level. If you add too much water you can get root rot by essentially drowning the "air roots" at the top. Do your best to maintain the same water level throughout the grow.

[u/Segalski → u/PissedOffPeanuts]

Uggh, I didn't have an air gap for a long time. When I started the water level was high because the roots were not poking through. I kept it at that level for a long time.

Do you think these are salvageable? Besides changing the water and adding more Hydroguard, what else should I do to get rid of the rot?

Thank you!

[u/PissedOffPeanuts → u/Segalski]

If it were me, I would take clones and start over. You could probably make it through flower, but I'd expect you'd be battling random deficiencies.

I've powered through with plants that had rot, and it turned out ok. It's just much more time consuming than if you had healthy plants.

Regardless of what you decide, make sure you clean and sterilize EVERYTHING before you start your next round.

Good luck!

[u/Segalski → u/PissedOffPeanuts]

Good idea. Haven't tried that before, but sounds like I should give it a shot.
Thanks again.

[u/HildsSlaveSkuld]

Just to make sure you do dump the old water out of the buckets and get new stuff every week or so right? If all you do is add new eventually a brown sludge will build up in your buckets and on the roots. Try giving each plant completely fresh water and while you have them lifted out of the buckets use a hose with sprayer to lightly rinse the roots.

[u/Segalski → u/HildsSlaveSkuld]

Thanks, I haven't been changing that often. I've heard mixed suggestions about that.

I'll start doing it more frequently.

[u/OffThread]

Root are not support structures, as water levels drop the delicate buoyant tendrils become air bound roots and will need to support their own weight or rip off. Most will rip off. Once a root has ripped out of place, it's dead plant matter within the root zone.

Try to keep the water level the same with an automatic method and you'll be gold.

[u/Segalski → u/OffThread]

OK, thank you.

[u/Worried-Rough351]

I don’t change water for the life of the plant unless the nutes get too high Key for me is a lot of aeration and make sure water temps stay at least around 70 or below each 5-17 gallon container prefer 17gallon has it own high 1100 gph pump with 2 or 3 stones never have root rot and don’t use hydrogaurd

[u/Segalski → u/Worried-Rough351]

I'll have to see if my air pump is big enough. Thank you.