A Community and Forum For Aquaponic Gardeners

Possible Root Rot

First post and already looking for help! I started a CHOP system (hydroton media) about two months ago and have been working out the bugs (literally and figuratively!) ever since. The problems started because I was overly eager to get my newly constructed system up and running. I had seen how outdoor systems were started with soil-grown nursury plants (with the dirt well washed off) and I couldn't wait to get some peppers, lettuce, basil and strawberries into my system. However, due to temps in NE, my system is inside my house... let's just say that the aphids, mites, snails and the white flies were very happy (but me - not so much). I think I may have the pest issue relatively under control and learned an important lesson about bio-securty in the process - I will start my own and take my time from here on out... but now I have a new challenge - the leaves on my basil and pepper plants became misshapened - added some CalMag which seemed to help but not totally fix the issue - I think the the real problem seems to be the roots which have gone dark (on the strawberry plants, there is little of the fibrous root and the main root is almost black). I've seen a few pics re root rot and think that might be the culprit (there is also a mystery bug - like a little flea - that is hanging out under the hydroton).

My fish tank has a few koi/goldfish but is mostly juvenile red claw crayfish. Is there a treatment protocol I can follow that will kill off the fungus causing what I believe (???) to be root rot without killing off my fish? Has anyone had any luck getting rid of root rot? The only solution I have seen posted is for hydroponic systems only - involving SM-90 and hyrdogen peroxide and then reintroducing beneficial bacteria... sounds dangerous - unless I essentially disconnect my GB from my FT during the treatment process...

I have read the article posted here about the value of having a sump tank and would like to add that, if I really have to take drastic action to disinfect my grow bed, the sump may be my only saving grace...

Any words of wisdom appreciated!

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Permalink Reply by Ian Cameron on October 13, 2012 at 7:41pm

Hi Stephanie, without pictures and a description of the 'bug' in the hydroton its kind of hard to visualize the problem. Up here (Interior of British Columbia) I use our local Ministry of Agriculture's Horticulturalist to help me identify plant problems and some of the wee beasties that like to inhabit the Hydroton media.I use him shamelessly, but what the hey, I pay part of his wages with my taxes. He is also becoming very interested in the aquaponics process, and is proving to be a great supporter of my backyard now indoor for the winter system. My advise, seek out those who have the plant expertise locally and move out from there. I wish you and your system well.

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Permalink Reply by John Cubit on October 13, 2012 at 9:17pm

Can you post some photos? Root rot is rare in AP, but more information really is needed. Sometimes a lot of hydroponics resolutions do not carry over to AP.

I know with some of my plants, transplants did not work well, I had better luck with starting from seed or taking cuttings from basil, peppers and lettuce stumps and celery stumps (all leaves and roots removed).

There is also the possibility that you purchased plants already infected or came to you with root hormones, so they may not have been fit to go into an AP systems.

I would take cuttings of the plants and use those. Remove the bad plants and plant the cuttings. Sylvia's book has pretty good directions for doing cuttings.