Fuzzy Semi Hydro

[Phyrex]

I rinsed the pebbles with some dishsoap and removed some dead roots. The next day the fuzziness was back. Time to bring out (that is buy) the physan. Does physan go by another name here in Canada since the first couple of stores I asked didn't have a clue?

[cindiras]

Have you thought of using chlorine bleach? A 10 minute soak in a solution of 1/2 cup bleach to 1 gallon water is what I use to disinfect my birds waterers. You would have to rinse well after using bleach, let them air out overnight too.

[Miki]

I think you need to change to re-pot and use fresh LECA, there must be some organic material in your pot.

You can re-use the original LECA by:
1. Let the medium dry out completely.
2. "Winnow" it in a breeze (or fan blast) to remove the dried organic matter.
3. Soak for 24 hours in water containing 1 tablepoon Physan per gallon.
4. Soak in plain water to leach the excess Physan, and it's ready to go.

[clintdawley]

I would think Phrags would be really sensitive to Chlorine, don't go that route but do sterilize the media. I boil it on the stove for 10 minutes.

Physan in not registered for use in Canada, I read on some other board. Just find whatever bactricide/fungicide/algaecide in Canada is legal to use. Ask a local nursery.

[cindiras]

thanks clint, Good point on the chlorine. I'm not sure how safe it is to use around catts and phals, much less something more sensitive. I have to rinse really well and allow my plastic utinsels to dry before using them around my birds. LECA would be absorbant, too, fo more difficult to rinse thouroughly.

[Phyrex]

I don't think I have the real good LECA though as it doesn't seem to wick much of the water in the reservoir at all. Time to get some real stuff. Could it be because the roots are decaying and making space for the new ones that are more suited to S/H? The roots that I left after last washing the LECA were fine (hard and not mushy at all).

[danny3570]

btw, i used the recommended strength of Physan on my affected pots last week. Problem solved. Good stuff!