Hey everyone,
Is there any reason not to use clear water lines from the flexi tank to the auto pots?
Clear lines allow light to get in. Light in water I’m assuming encourages bacteria growth. Bad bacteria in hydro = very bad idea.
All of this is hypothesis… but I’d think it’s something along these lines
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Same can be said about black tubing, black absorbs heat promotes growth. White or clear is the cooler choice.
Take a black anti freeze jug and clear jug, see the growth for your self.
My well is 160 ft deep, water has to be 50s, will use my Ph pen next time for exact temp.
Has algae growth on black piping flowing to reservoir.
Imo, clear would allow one to see it start happening esrlier as opposed to not having any indication until theres a problem.
Every hydro grower I know uses black tubing to help avoid algae. A quick search of the site demonstrates this point. Proper reservoir temps will manage any temp issues.
Hydro suppliers recommend black tubing.
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Crap! All my tubing but my drain pump are black.
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I had clear tubes on an auto drip feeder, and it took less than a week to start going green. It’s like $12 for 100ft of black tubing. Definitely worth it.
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Your black tubing is fine. Black tubing is what is used by experienced hydro growers.
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Clear tubing will grow algae in even low light. Blue tubing will grow algae, but a little less. I wrap all my short-run clear/blue tubing with electrical tape (unless it’s a sight glass). Black tubing seems to always be a little stiffer, something with the vinyl making process I assume. Depending on the brand, sometimes black tubing doesn’t “seat” as well on barbed fittings as the regular vinyl tubing. I don’t think black comes in food-grade either, but maybe these days it does. I use them all, depending on what I’m building.
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Concur with what is used, but it isnt immune to growth due to temps.
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I’d think the temps from black vs white/clear lines would be less… damaging then the clear lines promoting photosynthesis (allowing light into the water).
Anywhere water is in direct contact with biomass, algae growth is a possibility. The question is which works better, and in my opinion, you’d do better blocking the sunlight and controlling the room/rez temps… which is something most growers do anyway.
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Well from what I’ve seen, if you have nutrient solution running through hose that light gets through, green algae is more of a certainty.