what would you use hydrogen peroxide for?

you might not be a chemist, but you are correct, its the same solution i use to clean my contacts, its breaks down to water in a few hours, i can then put the contacts in my eyes WITHOUT washing them, i would not be able to do this if certain chemical changes had not occured

SlikWiLL13 said:

Thats not the idea at all...there called benificials because, lets say it together, There Benificial.

benificial bacteria break down dead plant matter reducing root-rot. mychorizae fungi actually become an extention of your root system giving you better nutrient absorbsion. good micro-beasties form a symbiotic relationship with the plant.

and read back dude, h2o2 is plain water within hours of adding it to your rez. my airstone runs 24hrs a day, how do you figure your peroxide oxygenates better than my airstone?

theres been a torent of bad advise here lately, be careful...

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I'm not up for convincing anybody that the world is round mate. There is plenty of science out there on this matter. The following has been written by someone with a lot more patience then me

"What are the benefits of Hydrogen Peroxide and how do i apply it?

Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) it is made up of Hydrogen (H2) and Oxygen (O2), however H2O2 has an extra Oxygen atom in an unstable arrangement - it is this extra negatively charged Oxygen atom that gives H2O2 its useful properties. H2O2 is used for many purposes including cleaning, bleaching, sterilizing, rocket fuel, animal feed treatment and in addition many miraculous claims about its health benefits have been made. This faq focuses on its use in horticultural applications. H2O2 is of great use for both hydroponics and dirt/soilless gardening.

What Does Hydrogen Peroxide do?

H2O2 is an unstable molecule; when it breaks down, a single oxygen atom (O-)and a molecule of water is released. This oxygen atom is extremely reactive and will attach itself to either another Oxygen atom (forming a stable O2 molecule) or attack a nearby organic molecule. H2O2 will rapidly eliminate the Chlorine used in many municipal water supplies, as well as degrade any pesticides, herbicides or other organic matter that might be present. Well water is often high in methane and organic sulfates, both of which H2O2 will remove. Both the stable and O- forms will increase the level of dissolved oxygen. Increasing the DO in your nutrient solution will benefit the root system and be detrimental to harmful anaerobic bacteria such as pythium. Many disease-causing organisms and spores are killed by the free O- atom. The free Oxygen atom will destroy dead organic material (i.e., leaves and roots) in the system, preventing them from rotting and spreading diseases. H2O2 will help eliminate existing infections and will help prevent future ones. It is also useful for suppressing algae growth.

Over Watering

Both soil and hydroponic plants often fall prey to the same syndrome. Hydroponic crops often fail due to "root rot" and soil crops succumb to "over-watering." The actual cause is a shortage of Oxygen at the root zone, allowing a Pythium infection to take hold. In a soil system, the soil consists of particles, a film of water on the particles and air spaces between the particles. When too much water is put into the soil, the air spaces fill with liquid. The roots will quickly use up the dissolved oxygen within these pore spaces. If the root system has not absorbed the water within these pore spaces, air will not be able to enter and Oxygen within that space will become depleted. In a low oxygen environment, roots will begin dying within twenty-four hours. As the roots die, the plant’s ability to uptake water and nutrients will drastically decrease, and the plant will show symptoms of nutrient deficiencies (pale leaves, and slow growth). Plants will start to wilt (appearing water deficient) – at this point many growers will mistakenly water their plants! In a Hydroponic system, oxygen deprivation is often caused by high temperatures and inadequate nutrient circulation and/or aeration. High reservoir temperatures interfere with Oxygen's ability to dissolve into water. Temperatures above 70F (20C) will eventually cause problems, 62F-65F (16C-18C) is recommended. Oxygen deprivation symptoms in hydroponics are similar to that of soil - but at least you are able to check the roots. Healthy roots should be mostly white with maybe a slight yellowish tan tinge. If they are a brownish color with dead tips or they easily pull away there is at least the beginning of a serious problem. An organic, ‘dirt like’ rotting smell means there is already a very good chance it is too late. As roots die and rot, they remove Oxygen out of the water; as Oxygen levels are depleted even further. more will roots die - a viscous circle!. Reduced Oxygen levels and high temperatures encourage anaerobic bacteria and fungi, which attack the plant further mercilessly.

How does Hydrogen Peroxide prevent root rot & over-watering

Plants watered with H2O2 will experience extra oxygen in the root zone when the peroxide breaks down. This helps stop the Oxygen from being depleted in the water filled air spaces until air can get back into them. High Oxygen levels at the roots will encourage rapid healthy root growth. In a Hydroponic systems, H2O2 will disperse through out the system and raise Oxygen levels as it breaks down. Strong white healthy roots with lots of fuzzy new growth will be visible. This fuzzy growth has massive surface area allowing for rapid absorption of the huge amounts of water and nutrients needed for rapid top growth. A healthy plant starts with a healthy root system.

How to use/apply it

H2O2 comes in several different strengths: 3%, 5%, 8% and 35%, also sold as food grade Hydrogen Peroxide. The most economical is 35% which we recommend be diluted to three percent before using. When working with food grade H2O2, it is very important that you clean up any spills or splashes immediately, it will damage almost oxidize everything very quickly. Skin will be temporarily bleached pure white if not washed cleaned. Gloves are strongly recommended when working with any strong chemical. Food grade H2O2 can be diluted to three percent by mixing it one part to eleven parts water (preferably distilled). The storage container should be opaque to prevent light from getting in and it must be able to hold some pressure. If three-liter pop bottles are available in your area they are ideal for mixing and storing H2O2. There are twelve quarter liters (250ml) in three liters, if you put in one quarter liter H2O2 and eleven quarter liters (250ml) water in the bottle it will full of three percent H2O2 and the bottle can hold the pressure that the H2O2 will generate. Three percent Hydrogen Peroxide may be added at up to 3 ml's per liter (2 1\2 tsp. per gallon), but it is recommended that you start at a lower concentration and increase to full strength over a few weeks. For hydroponic applications, use every reservoir change and replace twenty-five percent (one quarter) every day. Example: In a 100L (25gal) reservoir you would add three hundred ml's (3%) H2O2 when changing the nutrient. You would then add seventy-five ml's more every day. [Editor’s note: high concentrations of H2o2 can be detrimental to organic additives (such as beneficial additives) and organic nutrient mixtures.]

Application: US Standard

1. 28*G/C= Liquid Oz's per day
Metric 10*L/C= Ml per day
Where; C= % concentration of H2O2 L= Number of liters in reservoir G= Number of Gallons in reservoir

Example: How much 3% H202 should I add to 7 gallons of nutes?
1. 28*7/3=2.986 Oz's each day.

Where to get it

35% food grade is called “food grade” because it has no toxic impurities. Of course your local hydroponics retailer or web stores have it (there may be shipping restrictions on high strength peroxides). The local feed supplier may have it in small towns. Prices range from fifteen dollars per quarter liter to eighty dollars a gallon. One gallon will treat up to fifty thousand liters of water. 3%5%, 8% Can be found at most drugstores or pharmacies, prices start at a less than a dollar for a one hundred-ml bottle that will treat one hundred liters.

What to do if you already have root rot

In Soil:

Use peroxide water with an anti-fungicide and a high Phosphate fertilizer (9-45-15, 10-52-10, 0-60-0) for additional root growth. Or any other product with rooting hormone dissolved in it is helpful in re-growing roots and is strongly recommended. Water heavily until liquid pours out the bottom of the pot – this method helps flush out stagnant dead water and replaces it with fresh highly oxygenated water. Don't let plants sit in trays full of water, the soil will absorb this water and stay too wet. Don't water again until the pot feels light and the top inch or two of the soil are dry.

In Hydroponics:

Change your nutrients. Add H2O2 to the system. This will add oxygen and chemically eat dead roots. If roots are badly rotted and can be pulled away by hand, you should cut them off. They are already dead and will only rot, causing further problems. Add a fungicide to kill any fungus that is probably present in the rotted tissue to prevent it from spreading. Increase aeration of the reservoir – add air pumps and stones. An air stone under every plant is usually very effective, but will require a larger air pump. Decrease the reservoir temperature, oxygen dissolves better in cold water and disease causing organisms reproduce slower as well. A good temperate range is 62F to 65F; anything above 70F will eventually cause a problem. It is also a good idea to remove any wilting plants from the system and put them on a separate reservoir so they don't infect plants that are still healthy.

Summary

The key to productive plants is a healthy root system; Hydrogen Peroxide is a great way to keep your roots healthy. It is a must to ensure the biggest best crops possible and to increase the chances of your plants thriving to harvest. Peroxide users will rarely lose plants or crops to root disease and will harvest larger and more consistent crops."


Unity

H202 is great. I run a six cup DWC system. I use 30ml of the 3% to EVERY gallon that goes into my res. Whether I'm replenishing water or changing the nutrients. H202 oxidizes all elements found in your synthetic fertilizers. And kills nothing but the bad stuff. I don't use mycoryzae or any other "beneficial" bacteria in my grow. I don't have any decaying plant matter so its never a problem. I run 4 12'' airstones in there so its getting plenty of oxygen. But I like the fact that h202 WANTS BADLY to break down. Resulting in the oxygen bonding with other less absorbable metals and elements that normally take much more time to be absorbed by the root system. I like that. My ppm drops MUCH faster with h202 in the tank, which tells me the plant is having an easier time absorbing and using the nutrients in the res. Thats Hydro... As far as soil goes. As long as your using NON-ORGANIC soil,fert,supp. You should still put 30ml. in each gallon of water given to the plant. It works on the same priciple as why hydro is so much faster than soil. It has more oxygen. The more oxygen-the easier for the plant to absorb nutrients, the faster the plant grows and the healthier the plant is.

- [Editor’s note: high concentrations of H2o2 can be detrimental to organic additives (such as beneficial additives) and organic nutrient mixtures.]

- Strong white healthy roots with lots of fuzzy new growth will be visible. This fuzzy growth has massive surface area allowing for rapid absorption of the huge amounts of water and nutrients needed for rapid top growth.


have you ever seen a root system properly innoculated with mychorazae fungi? it nearly doubles the "surface area" of your root system.

whatever dude, you can use the shit and grow dope all your life. but if you want the benefit of beneficials its not for your grow.

SlikWiLL13 said:

- [Editor’s note: high concentrations of H2o2 can be detrimental to organic additives (such as beneficial additives) and organic nutrient mixtures.]

- Strong white healthy roots with lots of fuzzy new growth will be visible. This fuzzy growth has massive surface area allowing for rapid absorption of the huge amounts of water and nutrients needed for rapid top growth.


have you ever seen a root system properly innoculated with mychorazae fungi? it nearly doubles the "surface area" of your root system.

whatever dude, you can use the shit and grow dope all your life. but if you want the benefit of beneficials its not for your grow.

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Agreed, if you want beneficials you do not want to use it

As I said, as long as your using synthetics - Its great. I also grow organic and have for quite a few years. mychorazae great. I love the stuff. I use it outside EVERYWHERE.

expensive though....

Now thats a good thread guys, not once did i read someone calling someone else childish names and saying 'i'm rubber, ur glue....' Nice debate there guys, keep it clean though, keep those gloves up, lol..

richjames said:

Now thats a good thread guys, not once did i read someone calling someone else childish names and saying 'i'm rubber, ur glue....' Nice debate there guys, keep it clean though, keep those gloves up, lol..

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i agree, im glad you pointed that out.

and it seems that were starting to agree, were just working out the details.

both methods seem to be working. as long as the new guys reading this know the difference between where you can and cant use h2o2.

lets see if were all on the same page -

h2o2 is great in a hydro system WITHOUT any benificial micro-beasties

if your organic or using the benificials, its still good for cleaning and sterilization, just not in your pots/rez.

SlikWiLL13 said:

i agree, im glad you pointed that out.

and it seems that were starting to agree, were just working out the details.

both methods seem to be working. as long as the new guys reading this know the difference between where you can and cant use h2o2.

lets see if were all on the same page -

h2o2 is great in a hydro system WITHOUT any benificial micro-beasties

if your organic or using the benificials, its still good for cleaning and sterilization, just not in your pots/rez.

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I'm on board with that

and the world is at peace once again....

Agreed my friend

unity said:

You are spreading disinformation mate, h202 has countless medicinal applications beyond cleaning counter tops. Just google h2o2 and all the experimental research that is being done from topical applications to ingested applications....
There are countless growers out there that swear by the stuff, don't just dog it without putting out any research mate.

Unity

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Well I'm really trying not to take offence Mate, but the
"spreading disinformation" and "without putting out any research" really hit a nerve

I said that the oxygen released when using H2O2 is a free radical, which seeks to attach itself to something. And if this something was organic or living then it would kill it. This is true

I said that Oxidation was the process that makes iron rust. This is true.

I said that H2O2 is for cleaning, and ok you got me, there are numerous other uses for H2O2 But it is for cleaning as you so helpfully verified. So this is true.

I said that before the O2- would actually do any benefit in terms of oxygenating your water, it would have attached itself to something else, Iron, Calcium, Mangnesium, take your pick. This is true.

As for research, type the word Chemistry into google please, then cut and paste me some of the studies done on reaction of O2- with organic matter. You will find words like "Oedema" and "Cell Death" to name a few. These are not nice words, I'm sure you agree, certainly not the sort of things I would inflict on my plants.

You see no matter what Horticulture site you look at, Chemistry will teach us that O2- is a nasty little bugger, that weakens and can even Kill any organic or living thing, that is the nature of 02-, and that is the information I was trying to share.

There is nothing I enjoy more than to learn something new, believe me, so if there is anything that I have written above that you can prove to be false, then I would be overjoyed. I look forward to your response

Sorry to resurrect a dead ass thread but just added 2 cups total (1/8th cup per gallon) of OTC 3% HP to my 18-20g res. It randomly started stinking about 7 days since fill within 12 hours and PH spiked a whole point to 6.8 from 5.8. Adjusted to 5.8, cranked on the 2-12" bubble stones to 100% from about 33% (due to noise) and double checked for light leaks getting to the res. Will report back if the added bubbles and HP fixed it's shit. Peace. =)

-Side note: Could non-food grade reservoir be causing random PH spike and sudden stink? =/