So if I put a layer of lava rock or other substance at the bottom of my reservoir while aerating will it help house beneficial bacteria and fungi? I grow with straight Canna coco and feed every other day with 3rd feed just being ph water via hand water or drip to waste. My goal is to maintain constant solution of desirable ph, nutes, trace elements, bacteria and fungi. I currently use the whole Canna coco line but would like to replace the rhizotonic and cannazym with a homemade tea. I was thinking of adding a new batch of tea once every week or 2. and or ad some bacteria food like molasses and...what ever good fungi like lol. i have been doing a little research for the past few days and am going to continue but would like some knowledgeable input or opinions or ideas. thanks.

Ya know, I put this filter around my pump and forgot about it, anyway It sat in the res during changes, didn't clean it for a month. I just found it the other day and took it out. Now I am having trouble keeping the pH up.

I wonder if bacteria and fungi were helping out. I would like to see if rocks would do something like that.

I built a sprayer. well aero tub. So similar res. I don't have medium like coco though.

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hmmm...interesting. Wish I knew what exactly is going on I'd be sure to tell you lol. I thought I read that bacteria had no effect on ph (aerobic) but i could be wrong. I dont know if your familiar with vermiT and it has been a while since i used it (good stuff in my opinion) but if i recall correctly it had no effect on my ph...back then I'd use my solution pretty much right after i mixed though so I don't know the effects if it where to sit around and grow or die. It may have had something to do with salt build up but it is just a guess.

OBBT(Organic bubble Bath Tub)

http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=116431

http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=130800

http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=135017

I am using lava rocks as a grow medium. Lava rock is very porous and if you leave it sit in water it breaks down. Turns your water into this red-ish silt filled crud that more than likely isn't good if your using a pump. If your just using a air stone then no biggie. As far as it effecting ph I have no idea. I am growing a DWC with out any ph meter just doing it old-school by sight. Letting my plant tell me what is wrong. I wouldn't suggest leaving lava rocks in water, you just wont like the outcome.

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The OBBT stuff has been a very interesting read...still reading in fact and my my mind is deep in thought on the subject. Thanks for the links.
Thanks for the info on lava rock. If i don't end up with a more traditional bio bucket then i will probably try some other kind of rock.

oh yeah and clay pebbles are much lighter than lava rock, might be something to consider.

yeah ive been reading through those links. not quite done yet but i think the clay pebbles/hydroton is going to be the way to go...I thinkin i will end up making some obbts since they only need water like once a week hand watering shouldnt be to bad. thanks for those links once again! they are so interesting and full of great info.

yea no prob, i started 1 but never went through with it, after a week though the top was covered with fungi, looked nice, all i used was Bio-Tone from lowes.

man I would have had to put somethin in there...even if it was another type of plant...others suitable for the ph. im gonna make some lacto b. here starting tomorrow just for the hell of it. im going to build a obbt but it will be a while as i have other priorities and a very limited budget. I find the cultivation of these different bacteria and fungi very fascinating. im still not done reading through everything...man there is a lot of info there and especially because i find my self going off and researching other stuff on organics...ive never givin this much thought to how complex the cycle of life is.