Sythetic Nute Fertigation Reservoir Can be too Warm for for Soil-less Grow or Non-Issue?

Overgrowtho

Well-Known Member
Hi I am thinking to keep a synthetic-nute fertigation reservoir of like 15-30 gallons for a soil-less mix (peat/vermiculite) grow.

To be fed by a smart-home irrigation valve timer.

The issue, is that the reservoir will be outside in a hot environment.

I know this can be a problem for hydro (when the water tank-reservoir is too warm).

However I suppose that for soil-less, this might be less of an issue or even a non-issue since the medium acts as a great buffer?

I would plan to not change or refill the reservoir for about 2-3 weeks or so. To help automate the grow.

The outdoor environment is very tropical-hot and the fertigation tank could reach temps of 85 degrees even 95 degrees! I will plan to aerate it.

Please let me know your thoughts? Thanks in advance
 

kingromano

Well-Known Member
its way too much for you reservoir, aerating with pump will heat it even more

if you really need to put it outdoor, you need to dig a hole and put the reservoir inside
 

Overgrowtho

Well-Known Member
If you can share the reasoning for this, it would be great: What is the issue here? It will not hold enough oxygen? It will build up negative bacteria? Or the warm water will harm the roots / not be able to feed the roots?

After all, I was hoping that the soil-less medium would fully buffer these issues. I suppose one solution would be to use a chiller on the reservoir if needed, however I would reeeally much prefer to avoid that hassle/cost/space usage.
 

7CardBud

Well-Known Member
I don't see a problem to this as long as you have a light blocking container. The media will quickly buffer the tempature and ph of the irrigation liquid.
 

kingromano

Well-Known Member
your solution will hold less oxygen, and anaerobic bacterias will grow

what do you plan to water with this solution ? a greenhouse under sunlight?
is the room cooled ?
 

Overgrowtho

Well-Known Member
Yes I was planning to use a light-blocking reservoir container. Surely less oxygen will be held in the water but I dont see it as important for soil-less. The medium will have oxygen for the roots easily.

Aerating should take care of the bad bacteria, I was thinking. Even if some bad bacteria comes, I dont see how that could hurt the soil-less medium since it will not be hydro.

The room is sealed, running co2 (so I keep it at about 85F, not a greenhouse) in a 4x4 with aircon.

I think the root zone will maintain a fine, healthy temp most of the time. More or less.

As this is not an organic operation, I can also add a measured amount of some H202 (hydrogen peroxide) into the fertigation reservoir to cut down on any bad bacteria (while adding beneficial O2 from the H202).

Thoughts?
 
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