I have a small hydroponic/aeroponic unit that grows plants. I want the
unit to be made of clear plastic so I can SEE the plant roots and
growth etc. But clear plastic allows yucky algae to grow inside. WHAT
KIND OF PLASTIC OR PLASTIC ADDITIVES will block/stop the growth of
algae. I do not want to use algaecides in the unit. If you suggest a
smoked plastic for the unit, what degree of tint are you suggesting
... and what research have you got to show me that this will
absolutely work.

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Request for Question Clarification by omnivorous-ga on 10 Nov 2003 13:45 PST

Deepforest --

Algae growth is present even in dark storage tanks with diesel fuel
(that is usually thought of as toxic).  It will take an additive to
the water, unless you wish to use the natural methods already
described in comments.

Here's some background on algae growth in diesel fuel that gives you
some idea of the scope of the problem:
http://www.mil-veh.org/archives/99-04/0353.html

Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA

I'm familiar with the aquaculture industry, where algae is usually
encouraged, and I've never encountered or heard of a plastic that by
itself would retard algal growth. usually it's chemicals that are used
for that. A cheap way of dealing with the alge-on-the-plastic prblem
would be to get some fresh-water snails. They stay on the tank sides
and graze on the algae.

omniscientbeing-ga
Google Answers Researcher

Yes, we have thought of snails and/or certain kinds of fishes to eat
the algae. But we would way prefer to block/stop the algae from the
beginning, rather than clean it up (eat it up!) once it has arrived.
And yes it is a duplicate posting, sorry about that.

Remember, in addition to eating the materials you consciously add to
your hydropoincs setup (nutrient solution, bleach, etc) you will also
be eating residuals of the materials from which you build your
hydroponic system.  I personally restrict all of the materials that
touch nutrient solution and plants to foodsafe materials.  You do not
want to inadvertently poison yourself by leeching toxic materials into
your food!