Black Junk on Roots?!?!...

[Don Logan]

Hello all. I have two plants going right now, some Gypsy's Gum and DreamGoddess. I forget how old they are, somewhere around 2 weeks from seed. They are in DWC with 1/4 strength nutes. They are under a 160w HPS Super Agro bulb. I try not to let water temps get above 76F; I aim for 72-74F.

Here is my problem:

I have some black junk around the roots. At first, I thought that it was root rot or something, but on closer inspection it looks more like grit or dirt.
I was using rapid rooters to start seeds in and I remember hearing that these have beneficial bacteria in them. When I transplanted them into my hydro system, I had to water them by hand till the roots were long enough to reach the nutrient solution; pouring the NS over the Hydroton and RR.
I use Hydroguard. So i'm thinking that there was a bacterial fight going on in the res and the hydroguard won, because the new root growth looks fresh and not black.

I have been using the Hydroguard at 1/4 strength as well. Should I start to use it at full strength the next time I change out the res water? Should I use some sort of Hydrogen Peroxide solution? Or should I just keep an eye on it?
Some help please..

Here is a closeup of the dreamgoddess roots:

Here is another:

Here is a shot of the Gypsy's Gum roots:

Here is a pic of the Gypsy's Gum:

Here is a pic of the DreamGoddess:

And finally, here is a pic of the cab they are in:

Thanks in advance, Don.
Peace.

 

[bad wizard]

since your using hydrogaurd and referred to using nutes. i am assuming that your on a botanicare regime.
if that's the case and your using liquid karma thats where your getting the coloring.
that LKarma stains them roots real good and sticks around. i quit my LK 4 weeks before harvest takes a long time before it comes out. it has a distinctive odor and i transfers itself into my weeds aromatic profile i can still smell it in my plants even after 20 days of flush after 30 days it smells more like my weed. and after 15 days of flush my roots are still somewhat black. if your using LK you'll see that it's some thick black stuff. stains the bottom of my resovoir where it settels and if i stir it around it stains my clear feed tube and my roots

 

[bad wizard]

oh yea to answer your nute strength question. i personally would use light nutes seeing that your plants are still small. full strength would be a bit much even if it's just hydrogard.IMHO.
peace.

 

[Don Logan]

Wow, you must know your stuff, because I AM using Liquid Karma. I have heard that this stuff stains your roots, but I guess I didn't expect this level of staining. You describe it perfectly, not slime or rot, but rather this "stuff" that stains and sticks to the roots. And yeah, some of it settles to the bottom of my resovoir.
I guess I won't worry about it then. I used GH Floralicious for the past 2 grows and this grow replaced it with LK. The Flora also stains the roots just as bad in my experience; I thought I was doing something wrong.
Well the plants seem healthy and happy so far, so I guess I'll leave well enough alone.
Thanks for the reply, it puts my mind at ease
Peace.

 

[MynameStitch]

yup stained roots it is, nothing to worry about unless they get slimy coated and or brown

 

[stealthpackage]

What is that 1 inchish tube coming out of the side of your bucket lid?

 

[Don Logan]

Sorry stealth, I just replied to your PM. The tube coming out of the bucket is attached to a small pump in the bucket. It is how I change out the water once the plants/roots get to big to move. I make sure to cover the top of the tube with a bit of tin foil to keep light out of the res.
I'll post some pics of them when I get a chance.
Peace.

EDIT: Thanks for making me feel better about the situation stitch