Uhh... Something is definitely wrong in my reservoir

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berkman858

Well-Known Member
I noticed that my reservoir water level seemed to increase out of nowhere and after checking everything out I found something on the mesh filters in the reservoir. It looks like algae or mold or something bad like that. Whatever it is was clogging the mesh filter on the PVC pipes and this caused the pump to put more water into the reservoir than it could suck out of it. It was definitely a strange thing and I started another thread about some crazy shit, but now I sort of know what is going on. Please help me out here, I don't want any crazy mystical potions or anything like that but some good knowledgabe answers would be great. Thanks in advance.

Relevant information about my setup:


  • 4 bucket + reservoir Under Current DWC
  • Water chiller set at 68 degrees
  • R/O water (originally PH @ 6.2 and PPM @ 0, now PH @ 5.9 - 6.0 and PPM @ 340)
  • Using H2O2 every 3-4 days (5 mL/ gallon of 29% H2O2)
  • H & G Aqua Flakes nutrients at 50% strength

Pictures of the horror:

Reservoir Issue 3.jpgReservoir Issue 4.jpgReservoir Issue 1.jpgReservoir Issue 2.jpgReservoir Issue 5.jpg

I guess the link in my signature is not so true any more. Please help.
 
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berkman858

Well-Known Member
Coho said:
Algae is getting light from somewhere.
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Hmmm, I did have the reservoir lid slightly open for a week or so before I cut a hole in it for the chiller plumbing. All of my water hoses are black but my I do have an air hose from my pump to the air distributor that is clear. Could this be the cause?
 
kpmarine

kpmarine

Well-Known Member
It could also be coming in from your buckets. Are you sure there's no light getting into there?
 
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berkman858

Well-Known Member
kpmarine said:
It could also be coming in from your buckets. Are you sure there's no light getting into there?
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The hydro system is a complete kit that I bought so I hope the guy thought about all that stuff when making the kit. It was highly recommended at the Hydro store over other kits and is supposed to be a great setup. The lids are all black, here are some pictures of my setup:
 

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kpmarine

kpmarine

Well-Known Member
Those buckets themselves dont look totally opaque, that may be your light issue. I see alot of folks that tape up or paint buckets that aren't completely pitch black on he inside when it's sealed. I have a yellow 5 gal bucket, and if you hold a light to the outside, you can see it on the inside. Don't know if that's really enough light, but algae doesn't need much.
 
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berkman858

Well-Known Member
kpmarine said:
Those buckets themselves dont look totally opaque, that may be your light issue. I see alot of folks that tape up or paint buckets that aren't completely pitch black on he inside when it's sealed. I have a yellow 5 gal bucket, and if you hold a light to the outside, you can see it on the inside. Don't know if that's really enough light, but algae doesn't need much.
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Yeah I was thinking about that but I am still hoping that the guy who made the kit already thought about that. Oh well I will see what happens.

I added more H2O2, emptied the water, and then added fresh water, nutes, and H2O2. I also cleaned the mesh filters and the gunk looks like it might be residue from the cooking spray that I used to lube the fittings when setting up the kit. Its all cleaned up now so lets hope it stays that way. I also lowered my water chiller temp to 66 degrees.
 
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