Grow Mediums Hydroponics - Sterile vs Bennies?

[Atulip]

Is there consensus, general agreement, that sterile hydro, besides generally maintaining a 'clean' environment, primarily involves adding broad spectrum anti-microbial agents to water supplies to knock down their microbial levels? [Is that all it is? ]

Still would like to know whether it's all about the water or the plants. Is the primary goal keeping water/feed pH stable, not developing bad smells, plumbing not accumulating biofilm, etc. (avoiding common reservoir problems); or is sterile hydro about reducing plant exposure to microbes/pathogens?

Idk about the consensus, but yes?

I've read microbes can cause pH swings as they grow/die(could be both good or bad); anecdotally, I've noticed a more stable pH in my sterile grows, and it's definitely cleaner. Another minor benefit I've seen is the cost. A quart of hydroguard costs as much as a gallon of 30% h2o2.

 

[BII]

More questions from a sterile hydro ignorant coco grower:

In DWC and other real hydro (vs. say coco) growing, what are the benefits (or downsides) of not just running non-sterile but also adding beneficial microbes to water/feed supplies? Theoretically, don't these products include microbes that do much the same, excrete the same enzymes, etc. as in Hydroguard and similar products used to keep reservoirs and plumbing 'clean?'

Do some, most or all sterile DWC/hydro growers disinfect their plants or not? For ex., do they turn off high volume bubbling to avoid or limit plant root exposure to higher concentrations of H2O2 or other antimicrobials used?

H2O2 seems rather ideal. But do some use other disinfectants such as surfactants/detergents/soaps, methanol or ethanol, terpene disinfectants (e.g., limonene-, menthol- or pinene-based, such as Pine-Sol), quaternary ammonium salts, bleach, boric acid or other food and pharma industry-used products (and wash these out when treatment is done)?

 

[Atulip]

More questions from a sterile hydro ignorant coco grower:

In DWC and other real hydro (vs. say coco) growing, what are the benefits (or downsides) of not just running non-sterile but also adding beneficial microbes to water/feed supplies? Theoretically, don't these products include microbes that do much the same, excrete the same enzymes, etc. as in Hydroguard and similar products used to keep reservoirs and plumbing 'clean?'

Do some, most or all sterile DWC/hydro growers disinfect their plants or not? For ex., do they turn off high volume bubbling to avoid or limit plant root exposure to higher concentrations of H2O2 or other antimicrobials used?

H2O2 seems rather ideal. But do some use other disinfectants such as surfactants/detergents/soaps, methanol or ethanol, terpene disinfectants (e.g., limonene-, menthol- or pinene-based, such as Pine-Sol), quaternary ammonium salts, bleach, boric acid or other food and pharma industry-used products (and wash these out when treatment is done)?

I'd guess the main benefit to adding beneficials would be to inoculate it against other pathogens. Give the good stuff time to catch hold before the bad stuff can. If anyone knows any other benefits besides this?

Don't know if anyone's turnin' off their bubbler in DWC. Iirc, the air bubbles evaporate h2o2 faster than still reservoirs.

I've mostly seen people using h2o2 or some sort of chlorine. I experimented with pool shock once, but it didn't go too well...

 

[BII]

I'd guess the main benefit to adding beneficials would be to inoculate it against other pathogens. Give the good stuff time to catch hold before the bad stuff can. If anyone knows any other benefits besides this?

Besides as you note inhibiting infection by opportunistic pathogens, added beneficial microbes:
a) include include those that degrade/metabolize organics, including root exudates
b) breakdown dead roots, root cells, cellular proteins and nucleic acids, etc.
c) break down/consume most every other organic substances and materials in the water and media, including any contaminants
d) colonize roots and contribute to N fixation and other nutrient bioavailability and uptake by the roots
e) decrease plant stress, with plants in nature exposed to and supporting these microbes, and with periodic water 'sterilization' surely stressful (although stressing plants can result in good outcomes).
f) the microbes should secrete much the same enzymes, do much the same things, as adding Hydroguard and other purified microbial enzyme products, and similarly contribute to better reservoir (pH, biofilms, settling, etc.) management

 

[KingRatt]

I'd guess the main benefit to adding beneficials would be to inoculate it against other pathogens. Give the good stuff time to catch hold before the bad stuff can. If anyone knows any other benefits besides this?

Don't know if anyone's turnin' off their bubbler in DWC. Iirc, the air bubbles evaporate h2o2 faster than still reservoirs.

I've mostly seen people using h2o2 or some sort of chlorine. I experimented with pool shock once, but it didn't go too well...

Beneficials do more than just preventative maintanance, they build a symbiotic relationship with the roots and help make more nutrients available to the plant while also ecouraging more abundant root growth. Yeah they help keep the bad stuff away but they do so much more for the plant too

 

[KingRatt]

Besides as you note inhibiting infection by opportunistic pathogens, added beneficial microbes:
a) include include those that degrade/metabolize organics, including root exudates
b) breakdown dead roots, root cells, cellular proteins and nucleic acids, etc.
c) break down/consume most every other organic substances and materials in the water and media, including any contaminants
d) colonize roots and contribute to N fixation and other nutrient bioavailability and uptake by the roots
e) decrease plant stress, with plants in nature exposed to and supporting these microbes, and with periodic water 'sterilization' surely stressful (although stressing plants can result in good outcomes).
f) the microbes should secrete much the same enzymes, do much the same things, as adding Hydroguard and other purified microbial enzyme products, and similarly contribute to better reservoir (pH, biofilms, settling, etc.) management

This right here!

 

[Atulip]

Besides as you note inhibiting infection by opportunistic pathogens, added beneficial microbes:
a) include include those that degrade/metabolize organics, including root exudates
b) breakdown dead roots, root cells, cellular proteins and nucleic acids, etc.
c) break down/consume most every other organic substances and materials in the water and media, including any contaminants
d) colonize roots and contribute to N fixation and other nutrient bioavailability and uptake by the roots
e) decrease plant stress, with plants in nature exposed to and supporting these microbes, and with periodic water 'sterilization' surely stressful (although stressing plants can result in good outcomes).
f) the microbes should secrete much the same enzymes, do much the same things, as adding Hydroguard and other purified microbial enzyme products, and similarly contribute to better reservoir (pH, biofilms, settling, etc.) management

ACD, would any of this apply to salt feeds?
E, interesting, any links?

 

[BII]

ACD, would any of this apply to salt feeds?
E, interesting, any links?

Yes, relevant added microbe benefits apply to salt feeds (here running non-sterile hydro). Just follow beneficial microbe product instructions and add to your feed water.