Growing HC in Volcanit by Aqua Medic

[mzm]

Hi,

has anyone tried to grow HC in Volcanit substrate by Aqua Medic? Or maybe in similar sized grain substrate? I do not seem to be having luck with HC in Volcanit and am not certain whether part of the problem is the size of the grains (I think I have seen nice HC carpets in similar size substrates) or lack of nutrients in this substtrate....

Regards,
Michael

 

[Fred Dulley]

The grain size is good.
Do you dose any nutrients?
Most likely cause is lack of nutrients and/or lack of CO2. Look at distribution of both these factors.

 

[mzm]

Hi Fred, thank you for your post. I use EI fertilisation method and inject co2 keeping it at a ph of around 6.03. co2 comes on two hours before lights on and goes off one hour prior to lights off.... co2 is diffused by Green Leaf Atomic diffuser.

Distribution is via a bluemec external filter 1500l/hr, a juwel internal filter 1000l/hr, additional hailea pump for chiller 1000l/hr and a haquos power head.....

 

[Fred Dulley]

Well, something is telling you it needs more of something. Structural failure points toward not enough carbon (40% of dry weight is carbon). Lack of colour and stunted growth can be lack of nutrients. HC is very nitrate hungry.

 

[mzm]

Thanks again.

HC is nice and green for two to three days then it starts to come to pieces / disintegrate with yellowing of leaves. I am also adding liquid carbon so I dont know whether I should pump up co2 even more....

I have started to double dose CSM+B today so I hope that this might make a difference before it all wilts away....

 

[Fred Dulley]

Yeah, CO2 or nitrate and I'm leaning more towards CO2.
You might be pumping in enough, you just got to make sure it's bein blasted towards the HC

 

[mzm]

was reading an interesting post by George Farmer and some Nitrogen based ferts he was testing some time back. Apparently HC is quite Nitrogen hungry so I might try and give that a go for a couple of weeks to see whether i can mange to save it.....

 

[Fred Dulley]

was reading an interesting post by George Farmer and some Nitrogen based ferts he was testing some time back. Apparently HC is quite Nitrogen hungry so I might try and give that a go for a couple of weeks to see whether i can mange to save it.....

Well, something is telling you it needs more of something. Structural failure points toward not enough carbon (40% of dry weight is carbon). Lack of colour and stunted growth can be lack of nutrients. HC is very nitrate hungry.

Good luck

 

[mzm]

Hi Fred, looking at your post again i now see that you also recomended it

 

[Fred Dulley]

Let us know how you get on