Help with 12" dia. Tube System and Root Rot

Hi,

I have been growing for 10 years now but still need some help here.
Also this is my first post here, I've been reading on here for years but now need some help as I can't get things dialed in.

Been using this system for 7 years but only had issues for the last year.

I am currently running:
- (2) 8' - 12" diameter PVC tubes with 5 plants in each
- 2200 Watts of light
- 40 gallon res. with each tube holding about 35 gallons - I fill res and tubes for a total of around 110 gallons
- Recirculating system with drip lines to each plant and main lines to the ends of each tube, keep the tubes filled 80% with water so the water level is 1" below net cups.
- I run a GH Aeroflow 60 pump
- Lucas formula with additives

I keep getting root rot problems and need some direction. I have run the pump on with the lights and off when lights are out. And I have run it 24/7 no difference still get root rot.

I realize now since I like to grow trees that a tube system is not the best choice but that is why I went with 12" tubes to give roots the most space.

I'm looking for any help in direction. Or setup changes.

Mainly been issues with low yields due to root rot.

Thanks

I would renew your drip lines, your pump. And consider that keeping the tubes 80% full really keeps your roots submerged all the time. If, either because of your pump or lights, you are getting higher temps and lower DO in your solution, then you are definitely enabling root rot. I'd like to see a picture or diagram of your system.

why drip if your tubes are full? I would add air stones in the tubes.
Ive also been using great white to stop any slime or rot in my "standing water" systems.

where did you get 12" pvc?

First thing i would do is drain the tubes. The water in there can become stagnant in pockets and temps can be considerably higher in the tubes. And start using aquashield and pondzyme. The sprayers are plenty, trust me, i grow trees in 4" pvc.

Hi Guys thanks for the responses, here is a little more info I forgot to list that could help.

1. I ran 8" tubes for 5 years with top drippers and sprayers between each plant and kept the water the water level at about 1-2" deep and running the pump only with the lights. It produced many, many harvests and was a good run. The sprayers were a constant issue with leaks clogs etc. so I got rid of them and just supplied water the ends of the tubs to run to the res.

2. This root rot issue started about 1-1 1/2 years ago so I started to try different things:
a. Raised the water level up so it was deeper in the tubes 80% deep
b Running the pump 24/7 with dripper to keep the top roots from getting dried out

3. I have a blower blowing into the room which creates positive air pressure and some of the air goes into the tubes thru the net cups and comes our thru my drain pipe on the outside of the room. Now I thought the air was drying out the roots and helping to cause the root rot. Don;t know If I was right or not or if it matters.


shnkrmn:
1. I just renewed the tubes fro m 8" to 12", redid dripper lines and pump/pipe, so all that is newer
2. My water temps stay around 70-72
3. I have tried 80% full and 10% full with the same results
4. I will work on a dagram
5. I have a good fall that produces lots of aeration in the res
6. I also run 3 large air stone with a large sunleaves air pump

ilikecheetoes:
1. I usually only drip when small and turn off the drippers when roots are hanging in the tubes, but with these issues I have been keeping the drippers on to try different things
2. I have air stones in the res and have run them in the tubes in the past, maybe Ill move them from the res to the tubes
3. I tired great white but again no noticeable difference so Im not using this run
4. 12" pvc ordered from plumbing supply - expensive at $12 a foot, but caps were $65 each ouch

superstoner1:
1. I am running (2) 8' 12" tubes with a 1250GPH pump so there is a lot of water going thru the system.
2. The water is entering at one end of the pipes and draining at the other end of the pipes so temps should not much higher than res and with the 12" pipe there should not be many pockets
But I could be wrong
3. I have tried aquashield with no noticeable results

I'll try running it with the water level at 10% full, turn off the dripper line and add H202

I just want to get my system going strong again like it used to run.

I am running AK47, do you think it is more prone to root rot or it just my system and technique?

Thanks Guys for the help

I also forgot to mention I run almost an identical system for mothers and vegging in the outer room (top dipper and tubes fed and filled with water and do not have these root rot issues at all and that's what really has me baffled. The system and technique works great for mothers and vegging and has worked great in the past..................but now I struggle.

1) I would say your Rez is to warm
2) make sure you have air stones in your rez
3) I would add grozyme and hydro sparkle
4) make sure no light can penetrate the Rez or any place else
5) change water and add new nutes and grozyme and hydro sparkle every week

good luck