Salt Stains

[carblevel]

Hi All
I'm 45 days into my first grow, i'm following Nebula's 250w 4/7oz beginner tutorial , I'm using A 235w draw LED in a 3'x3'x60'' tent, coco coir in 3 gal smart pots , 4 white widow auto/fems, GH Flora trio , I noticed a couple weeks ago what looks like salt stains on the sides of the smart pots and the stains seem to be growing. The watering/ feeding ph is 6 going in and 6.20 runoff, my tap water is a little on the hard side at 221ppm , water mixed with nutes is 653ppm. Are the salt stains normal or do I have a problem? The girls look great, leaves are nice and green, should I be worried.

Thanks Nebula and Sirius for a wonderful website.

[Newf]

Some pics might help. Want to make sure it is just salt and not mold.

[D.A.A.S.69]

Pretty normal.

[9fingerleafs]

I concur haha

[St.buds]

It's most likely salt build up from nutrients but like need said make sure it not white powder mold

[St.buds]

***like newf said***

[Tika]

Green with thaeBUT what brand of Coco coir are u using ( perlite in I hope). Some conquered more ring before adding perlite.
wishing you the best

[OzBud]

I don't use perlite but I still do well with my grows. I wonder how much improvement there would be if a did use perlite &/or smart pots

[Tika]

I use Cyco Platinum Coco ( and perlite) . It appears / feels similar to Canna It is pretty clean of salts. Also nutrients may cause staining as well. I have never grown with out the 3 to 1 mix. It would a fun study to grow with and without perlite.

[carblevel]

I'm using Canna coco straight up at the time I started the grow I didn't know to add pearlite will definitely use it next timem

[carblevel]

I'll post pics tonite

[carblevel]

Here are a couple pics of the staining , again the plants look good but afraid this might be a problem in the future, any thoughts would be welcomed.

[deezplantz]

I have very hard water in my area...purple color when tested with pH drops. I had scale build up on my hydro reservoir that I believe was calcium. I tasted it and it did not have a salt taste. I solved this problem by using reverse osmosis water. It also helped to stabilize the pH. Your plants look great!

[carblevel]

Thanks deez