7. Aeration - hydrogen peroxide

11 years ago

The following are tips provided by Garden Web Hydroponics forum users on peroxide.

Posted by edurink on Mon, Feb 16, 04 at 6:34

Has any one of you ever used hydrogen peroxide to compensate for oxygen loss at high temperatures? How much do you use?

Scottplumerias

I have used it to clean up the water. I put in much more than they say to without ill effects... I use the 3% bottles from the drug store. It can get expensive, however. I also have the air bubblers.

Scott

UpRootedNortherner Scott, how much do you use? i.e., tablespoons per gallon?

mycarbumps

I use it to kill algae, I use about 1/2 cup-1 cup in 6 gallons of water. I use a higher concentration in my dorm room hydroponic system. I have yet to "overdose" my plants. MAKE SURE: you are using 3% NOT a higher concentration or you will burn you plants and your skin.

(Note:mycarbumps also recommends: Add hydrogen peroxide to the water - about 3 tbsp to a gallon of water).

willard3

All municipal water systems with old piping have slime mold. H202 kills slime mold and lots of other stuff, including algae. I use 4 tbsp/gal of water and let is sit for 4 hrs before I use it with plants. 500-1000 ppm is the recommended concentration of 3% solution.

UpRootedNortherner

Do you think it is safe to use a little H202 in an aerocloner? I'm thinking maybe one or two tablespoons per gallon?

mycarbumps I think its safe.

hydro_nerd

How long does the "algae killing" effect of the 3% peroxide last? Is adding the peroxide something I do one time (unless I change the water), or do I need to repeat it now and then for routine maintenance of the system?

mycarbumps

it is routine maintenance. I add it every 3-5 days. whenever I think of it. hydrogen peroxide is H202, that means it is water with an extra O1 attached. this oxygen is unstable and quickly breaks down into pure water and O2 gas. The O2 is where all the benefits come from and the "waste" is just plain water. You could add it as often as every 3-4 days or as infrequently as when you see algae growth. either way it is helpful.

asianhydro

What kind of system are you using? I tried using H202 food grade (35%) at 100 ppm everyday other day. It seems to work well under Tagaytay conditions in NFT (rectangular pvc). I though of it to control Cercospora leaf spot in lettuce and there has been a big improvement in the crop ever since. After every growing cycle, we clean the tank with it at 150 ppm.

(Note: Tagaytay conditions refers to growing in a tropical climate).

willard3

I keep a 5 gal reservoir of water treated at 500 ppm H202 for topping up nutrients. I also treat water for reservoir change every 2 wks w/500 ppm and let it sit.

I do not treat operating reservoir, only the water I'm adding or changing and I have not had any pathogens in nutrients in 10 yrs.

Scottplumerias

I use about 9 tablespoons per gallon. I would notice it would work for me for about 4 days or so. How do you measure parts per million? How much is 500 parts per million? It is said to kill pythium but not when already in tissue. Then you need systemic fungicide. Of course I don't grow food crops so I dont worry about it.

edurink

I have in my notes, an explanation made by Dr. Lynette Morgan. I thought it is a very clear and simple explanation of PPM.

"1 part per million (ppm) is 1 milligram (mg) per liter (l). Therefore, to calculate the amount of solid to dissolve in water, the ppm required is the amount in mg per l (mg/l); 1 mg=1/1000 grams (g)."

Comment

Related Discussions
Al, advice about hydrogen peroxide, foliage pro, gritty mix
Q
Comments (4)
FWIW - I wrote & posted this about using H2O2 in containers a number of years ago and several times since. H2O2 has an extra O atom (compared to H2O) in an unstable arrangement. It's the extra atom that makes it useful in horticultural applications. Generally, we're not concerned with aerobic forms of bacteria normally occurring in container media or on roots. Since H2O2 is an unstable molecule, it breaks down easily. When it does, a single O- atom and a molecule of water is released. This O- atom is extremely reactive and will quickly attach itself to either another O- atom forming stable O2, or attack the nearest organic molecule. Reduced O levels and high temperatures encourage both anaerobic bacteria and fungi. Many disease causing organisms and spores are killed by O, and the free O- H2O2 releases is very effective at this. Additionally, when plants growing in water-retentive media are treated with H2O2 it will break down and release O into the area around the roots. This helps stop the O from being depleted in the water filled air soil air spaces until air can get back into them. High O levels at the roots will encourage rapid healthy root growth and discourage unwanted bacteria/fungi. I know H2O2 comes in several different strengths, the most common of which are 3% and 35% solutions. Least expensive is the 35% product (what I use) which you dilute (to an approximate 3% solution) by mixing 1:11 with water. I have used the 3% solution at 1 to 2 tbsp per gallon as a cutting dip/soak, and have mixed it into irrigation water for plants in extremely water retentive soils at up to 3 tbsp per gallon, both with good results and nothing adverse apparent. H2O2 in high concentration is a powerful oxidant and quickly oxidizes almost anything it contacts, so be careful with it if you use it. A solution that is too strong can destroy any organic molecule it contacts. I've seen this chart posted several times as suggested strength solutions for use in watering plants. You may wish to start at a lower concentration , such as I've used, and experiment. TO THIS AMOUNT OF WATER ADD THIS AMOUNT OF 3% HYDROGEN PEROXIDE --OR-- ADD THIS AMOUNT OF 35% HYDROGEN PEROXIDE 1 cup, add 1-1/2 teaspoons ... 35% - 7 to 10 drops 1 quart, add 2 tablespoons ... 35% - 1/2 teaspoon 1 gallon, add 1/2 cup ... 35% - 2 teaspoons 5 gallons, add 2-1/2 cups ... 35% - 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon 10 gallons, add 5 cups ... 35% - 6 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons 20 gallons, add 10 cups ... 35% - 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon 1) you can use them together w/no problems, but you shouldn't need it if you're watering correctly & the gritty mix is made even CLOSE to the suggested recipe. 2) Plants are reactive organisms. They will reach favorably to increased O2 in the root zone, and unfavorably to reduced levels. If you use excessive amounts of H2O2, it can kill viable tissues, so don't over use it. 3) Your plants won't get addicted to H2O2 to any greater degree than they are addicted to water. I would urge you to lift the plant from the pot & take a look at the roots to see what's going on, then prune roots back to sound tissue if you find rot as an issue. At that point, a dunk in a solution of H2O2 or unscented household bleach might be an appropriate measure. Al
...See More
hydrogen peroxide
Q
Comments (5)
Hi al,. Its more for the citrus through winter.Why distilled water? Correct me if i am wrong=Is that water that is boiled and left to cool.Is rainwater that has never come into contact with metal distilled? so you mean 7 parts distilled water,6 parts 50% hp to 1 litre of water,is that right? I just want to encourage root growth,through winter.Ready for spring flush.They havent done any top growth through the summer and autumn,so i presume they are filling their pots with roots.Do dwarf citrus tend to do this first before they grow up top? Cheers
...See More
use hydrogen peroxide in containers?
Q
Comments (5)
H2O2 has an extra O atom (compared to H2O) in an unstable arrangement. It's the extra atom that makes it useful in horticultural applications. Generally, we're not concerned with aerobic forms of bacteria normally occurring in container media or on roots. Since H2O2 is an unstable molecule, it breaks down easily. When it does, a single O- atom and a molecule of water is released. This O- atom is extremely reactive and will quickly attach itself to either another O- atom forming stable O2, or attack the nearest organic molecule. Reduced O levels and high temperatures encourage both anaerobic bacteria and fungi. Many disease causing organisms and spores are killed by O, and the free O- H2O2 releases is very effective at this. Additionally, when plants growing in water-retentive media are treated with H2O2 it will break down and release O into the area around the roots. This helps stop the O from being depleted in the water filled air soil air spaces until air can get back into them. High O levels at the roots will encourage rapid healthy root growth and discourage unwanted bacteria/fungi. I know H2O2 comes in several different strengths, the most common of which are 3% and 35% solutions. Least expensive is the 35% product (what I use) which you dilute (to an approximate 3% solution) by mixing 1:11 with water. I have used the 3% solution at 1-Â½ to 2 tbsp per gallon as a cutting dip/soak, and have mixed it into irrigation water for plants in extremely water retentive soils at up to 3 tbsp per gallon, both with good results and nothing adverse apparent. H2O2 in high concentration is a powerful oxidant and quickly oxidizes almost anything it contacts, so be careful with it if you use it. A solution that is too strong can destroy any organic molecule it contacts. IÂve seen this chart posted several times as suggested strength solutions for use in watering plants. You may wish to start at a lower concentration , such as IÂve used, and experiment. TO THIS AMOUNT OF WATER ADD THIS AMOUNT OF 3% HYDROGEN PEROXIDE --OR-- ADD THIS AMOUNT OF 35% HYDROGEN PEROXIDE 1 cup, add 1-1/2 teaspoons Â 35% - 7 to 10 drops 1 quart, add 2 tablespoons Â 35% - 1/2 teaspoon 1 gallon, add 1/2 cup Â 35% - 2 teaspoons 5 gallons, add 2-1/2 cups Â 35% - 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon 10 gallons, add 5 cups Â 35% - 6 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons 20 gallons, add 10 cups Â 35% - 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon Al
...See More
Hydrogen peroxide via Drip Irrigation
Q
Comments (1)
Hi dale, I was going to ask you why but found an adequate google answer. Here are some interesting uses for HP that I found: # Some horticulturalists and users of hydroponics advocate the use of weak hydrogen peroxide solution ("Spanish water") in watering solutions. Its spontaneous decomposition releases oxygen that enhances a plant's root development and helps to treat root rot (cellular root death due to lack of oxygen) and a variety of other pests. [19][20] There is some peer-reviewed academic research to back up some of the claims.[21] # Laboratory tests conducted by fish culturalists in recent years have demonstrated that common household hydrogen peroxide can be used safely to provide oxygen for small fish.[22][23] Hydrogen peroxide releases oxygen by decomposition when it is exposed to catalysts such as manganese dioxide. # Mixed with baking soda and a small amount of hand soap, hydrogen peroxide is effective at removing skunk odor. [24] # If a dog has swallowed a harmful substance (e.g. rat poison, chocolate), small amounts of hydrogen peroxide can be given to induce vomiting. [25] # Hydrogen peroxide is used with phenyl oxalate ester and an appropriate dye in glow sticks as an oxidizing agent. It reacts with the ester to form an unstable CO2 dimer which excites the dye to an excited state; the dye emits a photon (light) when it spontaneously relaxes back to the ground state. Similar to Ferti-gate systems. A closable entry point into your mainline with a small hose attachment sucking hydrogen solution from a bucket container(might be difficult to get a certain controllable concentration at the plant). Like the hose-end sprayers used to fertilize your lawn(this might give more control over concentration). The hard part is to establish the concentration level of the hydrogen peroxide solution being sucked up into the water hose stream. I guess trial and error using ever increasing concentration of HP until there is plant damage. What do experts recommend as far as the solution concentration for plant roots? JMHO and just pour on the right concentration on the soil below the plant from a watering can or aerate your soil and drain or irrigate less. Aloha
...See More

7. Aeration - hydrogen peroxide

Comment

Related Discussions

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US