Help with first DIY Bubbleponics/Root Rot!

I am in the 3rd week of my grow. My lady is a Super Lemon Haze from seed. I just pulled the net pot out to check the roots, and I have a serious case of root rot . Her foliage and stem look very healthy, but the roots are brown with a lot of brown slime.

So here is what I am running....

1- 200 watt CFL 6500K
2- 23 watt CFL 6500K
2- 23 watt CFL 5000K
1- 5 gallon bucket with 5 inch net pot
Rockwool/Hydroton medium
General Hydro Air Pump with 12" stone
150GPH water pump

Canna Nutes- Aqua Vega A&B, Rhizotonic

Hygrozyme

Superthrive

She is on an 18/6 schedule, and I change the res once every 2 weeks. Temp is usually around 82, and humidity 30%.

This morning the roots were about 6 inches long and I cut all of the slimy ones off after reading about root rot. She is very wilted and looks ready to die.

I also disenfected everything with a mild bleach solution and refilled the res.

Why is this happening? What can I do to ensure it doesn't happen again. I have a lot of money invested in seeds such as (Sensi Jack Herer, Greenhouse Super Lemon Haze, Greenhouse White Wid and White Rhino, G13 Pineapple Express, DNA Chocolope, Barneys Violator Kush, and others), that I really do not want to ruin. My SLH was growing so much faster than my buddies Ebb and Flow, so I really want to continue using bubbleponics.

Please help me brothers!

Bump. Some help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

LLCoolJ said:

Bump. Some help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Click to expand...

I'm no pro but I do have some experience with the subject at hand. I believe you have done the right thing by removing the rotted root mass and disinfecting the res. However, you need to fix the source of the problem or you will be fighting a futile battle.
Is your setup light-proof? The res AND the lid? If not cover it in black duct tape. What is the temp of your water? If you don't know get a cheap fish tank thermometer at wal-mart. If the water is too warm that needs to be addressed. Also, I have learned that nothing good comes from light being exposed to the air pumps and the tubing. Recently I noticed a warm burst of air coming from my res every time I opened it despite the fact the water was never above 65. It turned out it was my air pump was pushing out hot air. Moving the pump to a cool dark area and covering the tubing solved it.

As far as additives...I see you use Hygrozyme, that's good. I find Hygrozyme is best for preventing root rot when used from day one. It's not as great at fighting onset root rot. I suggest Nutrilife SM-90 for fighting the rot. There is debate about using it with Hygrozyme but I do with no negative results. When I'm having issues with root rot I notice Hygrozyme turns the water bad quickly so you might want to start changing once a week. You might want to add a little H202 as well.

I feel your pain on the rot, brother. Stick with it. Mine looked droopy and sick when I chopped the roots and it got worse before it got better but they turned out fine.

Thanks a bunch PooWilliams.

The tank is light proof. Not sure of the water temperature. I will get a meter, but it isn't too warm with only CFL's in the area. I haven't checked the air pump for blowing warm air, but I will.
I will look into Nutralife 90.

What about dipping the roots in an H2O2 solution and not adding it to the res as to cause any problems? And if so what part H2O2 to water would I use?

Any other suggestions as to how to keep it from happening next time?

I appreciate it fellas.

Sounds like the Nutrient temps are too high, Im new so dont take my word for it, but i think 68 is the desired Nute Temp..

also, once a plant gets it, its hard to get rid of, it even gets passed down from moms to clones..

I read about the passing on to clones. That sucks.

Is there anyone out there that has completely eradicated root rot, and can help with the steps? I don't want this shit to happen when I start cloning as well.

Thanks