Algae in Soiless grow reservoir: Problem or not? Mitigate?

Overgrowtho

Well-Known Member
I have a 4x4 with Dr. Bugbee's mix of 50% peat/vermiculite.
Fertigation has been automated with a 200 liter reservoir.
A week after setup, I've started to see algae in the reservoir. Is this a problem?

I do have the the reservoir well aerated and I'm adding 1 ml of h202 per 10 litre of water, along with the bloom hydro nutes.
The reservoir is located outside in a warm area although I think the water temperature is not overly excessive since its not in the sun + fully shaded in 99% dark. The reservoir is also not light permeable but the cap does not close all the way, air and dust can still move in and out.

The plants and equipment seem to be doing good and not effected at this point. There is a filter on the water intake and before the wifi irrigation control valve.

I am thinking about covering the reservoir with some kind of plastic to stop so much air/dust from coming in the loose cap.
I'm also thinking about using some chlorine in the reservoir instead or in addition to h202.

If this is a problem, what smart steps (such as the above?) should I take to mitigate? What problems can algae in a reservoir create?

Thanks in advance.
 

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Darkoh69

Well-Known Member
If left unchecked algae can block your lines & rot your roots. Easy fix is to block out %100 of the light. Algae can’t grow without light, it can however & will grow with the 1% of light you say could be getting in.
 
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