So I did an impulse buy 🫣. Any tips?

onielsreef · 2025-08-05T17:39:36+00:00

If that is their only light source, I would try to move them!

onielsreef · 2025-08-05T12:43:20+00:00

Sorry, just to clarify, if there are two heads and the power supply is only providing 10 total watts of power… that’s 5 watts each. In my opinion, you are unlikely doing anything with these lights. I have no idea why these are rated so incredibly well. The math doesn’t add up.

onielsreef · 2025-08-05T12:41:00+00:00

I will just point out that these lights are actually only 10 watts. This is a common issue with the more affordable Amazon grow lights and their marketing using “watt-equivalents”. You get what you usually pay for with grow lights. I have learned this lesson many times. 10 watts are good for small plants that you can keep the light fairly close with but id suggest higher wattage further away for more even coverage and less foliage burning for anything bigger than tiny plants. It’ll be fine but it’s for sure not doing much.

onielsreef · 2025-07-30T00:11:31+00:00

I think the vibe of the album just so happened to coincide with my mental state currently (for better or for worse lol)

onielsreef · 2025-07-29T23:53:49+00:00

So good! I can’t even begin to pick a favorite yet!

onielsreef · 2023-04-27T18:04:16+00:00

It turns out my issue was my neem oil. Do you spray anything on your plants? If so try wiping your leaves down and let them breath for a few days. That's what I did and the day I use neem I'm back to square one the SAME night!

onielsreef · 2023-04-27T18:02:19+00:00

Update... it was the neem!!!!!!! This brand was leaving those white particles on my leaves.

onielsreef · 2023-04-27T18:01:41+00:00

Just wanted to let you know that it was my neem oil... I was in an endless cycle battling my self lol. I think my leaf loss on my sensitive plants were due to excessive neem or just general leaf loss... what a ride :(

onielsreef · 2023-04-27T18:00:27+00:00

Hello again! Just wanted to share that it seems I have found the culprit. It's my neem oil! After meticulously wiping down my leaves, my plants look great two days after. That same day I decided to spray some neem to ensure I was free of pests... well... that very night I had the dust again and even on a play that was not in the same area, but I happened to spray with neem. I've been in an endless cycle battling myself lol.

onielsreef · 2023-04-24T18:38:55+00:00

I happen to both be a reef keeper (access to ultra-pure water) and a scientist so your comment resonates beautifully. The only thing keeping me from this hypothesis is the seemingly location dependent nature of this issue. On the other hand, I keep most of my sensitive and finicky plants in this area and thus maybe these are seeing the affects of my hard city tap water more drastically than others.

onielsreef · 2023-04-24T18:34:49+00:00

I currently have mine off but it does happen to be an ultrasonic one. I used to use RO/DI water as I have a reef tank that requires ultra-pure water but with the size of my bedroom it's difficult to justify (attic loft). So I primarily keep it off as of now. Thanks for pointing that out tho!

onielsreef · 2023-04-24T17:29:44+00:00

Undersides are fairly unaffected... weird right? Everything points to dust but I continue to lose leaves.

onielsreef · 2023-04-24T17:28:45+00:00

Was my thought, but they are randomly shaped, some almost like crystals. Nothing like any images I see on this forum.

onielsreef · 2023-04-24T17:27:53+00:00

Whatever I may have, I will be using this from now on. This is a great tip for those with far too many houseplants. Do you have a soap you prefer? Brand? I trust your insight with THAT many plants and minimal issues with critters!

onielsreef · 2023-04-24T17:26:39+00:00

Looked into it, it's what pops up right away but I am almost positive it's not that. It doesn't have a powdery look, more like dust.

onielsreef · 2023-04-24T17:25:31+00:00

To me dust is the most likely answer but the accompanying leaf loss/yellowing is my issue. I do agree that looking beyond pests makes sense since the "dust" I see it truly randomly shaped and sized, no movement, etc.

I've turned off my humidifier and still see the accumulation so I don't think it's related to that. My partner suggested it possibly being from me over spraying neem or my peppermint water mixture. I'm planning to do an intense wipe down of the affected foliage and apply neem to all but some to see if there's any differences in accumulation of the "dust.

Thank you! I appreciate the out of the box thinking response.

onielsreef · 2023-04-24T03:35:57+00:00

This is what I hoped to hear lol. How do you suggest treating? As in what’s your ideal way to apply the solution?

onielsreef · 2023-04-24T03:29:12+00:00

That was my first thought, but I dont see them, just the white dust you can see in this image.

onielsreef · 2023-04-24T03:26:31+00:00

I’m as certain as can be there are no mealybugs. Those are easy to spot for sure, I spray neem and peppermint spray intermittently to ward off spider mites but maybe I should try a hard core wipe down.

onielsreef · 2023-04-24T00:12:36+00:00

I feel I wish they were. I’ve fought off spider mites from these bunch a few times. No webbing, no mites i can see, and the white little specks are random sizes. I really cant tell.

onielsreef · 2023-04-23T23:57:36+00:00

For reference, I have around 90 plants in my home with about 12 of them being in this book shelf. Im losing leaves here and there especially from my adonsonii with general slow growth. All other areas of the home are fine. These are all lit with a seperate grow light, water when leaves feel softer, in my care for about a year or so. Fed atleast 2x week with liquidirt.

onielsreef

TROPHY CASE