Mold inside DWC buckets...

tyepoe

Well-Known Member
I've never had this issue in ten years of doing DWC but I'm getting mold in my 5gal black buckets. I have my airstones going 24/7 but I got the feeding tubes on a timer so its not so loud during the night in my apartment. They are off from 10pm to 7am.

I also had root gnats for the first time and treated with Monterey Fruit Tree & Vegetable systemic Soil Drench. I noticed it killed all the gnats and some that were stuck to the sides of the inside of the bucket started forming mold. Not sure if it was how the insecticide kills the gnats or if the dead organic bodies were just molding inside the wet, dark bucket...? Anyway this is the first time I've seen mold in my buckets. Some netpods have roots growing out of where mold is growing in the netpod and two rockwool blocks have black mold growing on top... I've put the feeders lower down so they don't wet those rockwools... but im wondering what typically causes mold inside dwc buckets as I've grown for a long time in this system and never experienced mold, although never had to deal with root aphids before either and not sure if they are related.

most plants look healthy but slowing in growth due to the root aphids and mold I suppose. I added some RapidStart and Armor Si to help the roots and general health but havent flushed after using the Insecticide for about a week, which im sure is too long but not sure if that has anything to do with mold inside the buckets...

Thanks in advance for any help!
 

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tyepoe

Well-Known Member
I was feeding them full general hydroponics expert recirculating series until a couple weeks ago when I had to move. They were small enough for moving to be easy but as I put them into the new dwc system I found root aphids and started feeding them half strength micro, gro, bloom and that insecticide. I also turned off the feeding pumps at night and noticed some dead aphids growing mold from their bodies on the inside sides of the buckets. Im not sure if the insecticide does this or if the organic material in their bodies started to decompose and grow mold in that wet environment?

They look and are growing healthy albeit a bit slower dude to stress I'de say. I just wanted to see if anyone knew if mold was a "thing" for DWC because I can't find anything online about it. I think my airstones are barely on so during the night when the feeding pumps are off as well I think the water is almost still and mold started to spread from the dead bugs... possibly.

Anyway should I just top water the plants with hydrogen peroxide and let that recirculate in a fresh water res for a day or so before flushing again and start a normal feeding..?

If I dig into the lower , wet hydroton it looks like spider webs.... white and sticky thin mold shit, like you can see in the pic with the netpod
 
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personal lux

Well-Known Member
Well first off why is your stuff off for 9 hours? Id suggest you clean your system, spray your plants,l(if vegging),and top feed your plants VERY well with an H2O2 diluted mix. also soak your airstones in this mix thoroughly.
 

tyepoe

Well-Known Member
I would never have the feeding tube off that way but the pumps vibrate enough were at 10pm to 7am(when all is calm and quiet) you can hear it really well and don't want to upset the neighbors.

I appreciate the help, I'll soak and flush with h202... anything in particular to foliar spray the plants with, diluted h202 or just water?
 
I've never had this issue in ten years of doing DWC but I'm getting mold in my 5gal black buckets. I have my airstones going 24/7 but I got the feeding tubes on a timer so its not so loud during the night in my apartment. They are off from 10pm to 7am.

I also had root gnats for the first time and treated with Monterey Fruit Tree & Vegetable systemic Soil Drench. I noticed it killed all the gnats and some that were stuck to the sides of the inside of the bucket started forming mold. Not sure if it was how the insecticide kills the gnats or if the dead organic bodies were just molding inside the wet, dark bucket...? Anyway this is the first time I've seen mold in my buckets. Some netpods have roots growing out of where mold is growing in the netpod and two rockwool blocks have black mold growing on top... I've put the feeders lower down so they don't wet those rockwools... but im wondering what typically causes mold inside dwc buckets as I've grown for a long time in this system and never experienced mold, although never had to deal with root aphids before either and not sure if they are related.

most plants look healthy but slowing in growth due to the root aphids and mold I suppose. I added some RapidStart and Armor Si to help the roots and general health but havent flushed after using the Insecticide for about a week, which im sure is too long but not sure if that has anything to do with mold inside the buckets...

Thanks in advance for any help!
Hey there! I know this is a super old post but I am dealing with the exact same mold problem with the same system set up and was curious if you figured out a solution?!
 
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