Dutch master Zone

[rkymtnman]

anybody use this back many years ago for root health?

was from Australia I think then got bought out by Fuji Industries.

from what I remember it was a mix of chlorine and copper??

 

[BH]

Dutch Master Zone is a root zone conditioner designed to optimize root systems in hydroponic, soil, and coco-based systems. Its primary function is to maintain a balanced root environment, especially under stress conditions like high water temperatures.

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### Active Ingredients

The exact formulation of Dutch Master Zone is proprietary, and the manufacturer does not publicly disclose a detailed list of ingredients. However, based on user reports and discussions, it is believed to contain:

* **Copper Sulfate (CuSO₄):** A known algaecide and fungicide, copper sulfate is used to control root rot and other microbial issues in the root zone. ([420magazine.com][1])

* **Potassium Nitrate (KNO₃):** Provides potassium and nitrogen, essential nutrients for plant growth.

Some users have speculated the presence of other compounds, such as chloramine derivatives, but these claims are not confirmed by the manufacturer. ([icmag.com][2])

---

### Usage Considerations

* **Compatibility with Beneficial Microorganisms:** Due to the presence of copper sulfate, Dutch Master Zone can be toxic to beneficial microbes. It is recommended to use this product in sterile hydroponic systems or when beneficials are not present.

* **Application Strength:** The product is typically used at varying concentrations depending on water temperature and the severity of root zone issues. For example, 1 teaspoon per 5 gallons is suggested for water temperatures below 70°F, while higher concentrations are used for warmer conditions. ([Planet Natural][3])

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### Summary

Dutch Master Zone is a specialized root zone conditioner that combines copper sulfate and potassium nitrate to manage root health and nutrient uptake. While effective in certain conditions, its use should be carefully managed to avoid negative impacts on beneficial microorganisms and to ensure compatibility with your overall nutrient regimen.

 

[rkymtnman]

did you use it @BH

 

[rkymtnman]

so here's what i'm wondering. I know the Zone had copper in it to help prevent root rot. and some other ingredients.

this is a different form of copper but wondering if it would also prevent root rot? seems kinda expensive to only make 48 gallons worth thought.

anybody use this or anything similar?

Liquid Copper Fungicide* - Southern Agricultural Insecticides, Inc.

Controls diseases caused by bacteria & fungi

southernag.com

 

[BH]

so here's what i'm wondering. I know the Zone had copper in it to help prevent root rot. and some other ingredients.

this is a different form of copper but wondering if it would also prevent root rot? seems kinda expensive to only make 48 gallons worth thought.

anybody use this or anything similar?

Liquid Copper Fungicide* - Southern Agricultural Insecticides, Inc.

Controls diseases caused by bacteria & fungi

southernag.com

Let’s break this down clearly because **Dutch Master Zone**, **Southern Ag Liquid Copper**, and **pure copper sulfate** are all *completely different animals* in chemistry and purpose.

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### Dutch Master Zone — what it actually is

Zone is a **stabilized chlorine dioxide / chloramine-based root-zone sterilizer**, designed to:
* Keep **hydro reservoirs sterile** (kills biofilm, pythium, algae).
* Be safe to use **continuously in nutrient solution** at very low ppm levels.
* Leave **no residue** or phytotoxic buildup when dosed properly.

**It’s an oxidizer**, not a metal-based fungicide.
**It’s meant for hydroponics**, not foliar or soil applications and definitely not organics.

---

### Southern Ag Liquid Copper Fungicide
This is **copper octanoate (copper soap)** — totally different chemistry.
* Designed as a **contact fungicide** for **foliar** use.
* **NOT safe** for roots or hydro systems — will **kill beneficials, burn roots, and destabilize nutrients.**
* It’s oily and leaves residues.

Absolutely **not a substitute** for Zone.
It’ll coat everything in the system with copper residues and likely cause toxicity.

---

### Pure copper sulfate (CuSO₄)

* A **raw salt**, extremely **phytotoxic in hydro or roots** unless carefully buffered.
* It can precipitate nutrients (especially phosphates) and cause **toxic copper accumulation**.
* It’s sometimes used in small ppm doses in aquaculture or field disease control, but **not appropriate as a Zone replacement**.

Even “99% pure” copper sulfate from Amazon is **industrial-grade** and **not formulated for safe plant contact** — and has **no safe dosing info for hydro**.
So your instinct is correct: it’s a **hard no**.

---

### Proper alternatives to Dutch Master Zone
something that actually serves the *same function*, these are the legitimate, safe replacements:

| Product | Type | Use | Notes 1.UC Roots | Hypochlorous acid | Hydro-safe oxidizer Nearly identical function to Zone.

2.Hydroguard/sabf (Bacillus-based) | Biological | Beneficial replacement (not sterilizer) | Good if he wants to *switch to bio*, not sterilize.

3.Clear Rez / Flying Skull Z7 / Athena Cleanse or hypochlorite-based | Sanitizing oxidizers ,Work great for sterile hydro or NFT setups. |

---
### Summary

> Southern Ag Liquid Copper = wrong chemistry, root-toxic
> Pure copper sulfate = industrial chemical, unsafe, non-equivalent
> UC Roots, Athena Cleanse, or Clear Rez = correct replacements for Dutch Master Zone

 

[rkymtnman]

good analysis, thx.
I use a few of the southern AG products and saw this one on their site.

wasn't planning on using it, more so just curious.

 

[BH]

good analysis, thx.
I use a few of the southern AG products and saw this one on their site.

wasn't planning on using it, more so just curious.

Southern Ag Liquid Copper Fungicide Is an amazing knockout fungicide for leaf based /foliars . it’s prolly only known thing to work against leaf spot and many diseases when pressure is high. I’ve used it for well over a decade and this year my bottle was empty and I said hey I prolly be okay? Well shoot I got worst leaf spot/septoria infection ever and than I bought a bottle and whatcha know on firdt spray the leaf spot ceased and stopped whole season after. The after math of all leafs dying on many pheno sucked but the results def presented to me I def will use liquid copper foliar for outdoors and do it as a rotate of liquid copper than rotate it with biological defenses. Once in flower and buds formed will stop using liquid copper

since I saw that zone product had copper sulfate hey maybe u could just buy the pure dry version (99%pure) and make ur own? more I read where people use it to kill tree’s they don’t want to cleaning piping/pools and in faq it says it’s not made for agriculture I def glad I didn’t blind suggest product without more research . those companies using it are adding other stuff and using low amount to make the product but they are def making it a trade secret on how and what other stuff they are using, that’s where the iffy/tricky part is. I don’t use sterilizers and I am an organic farmer /notill .


Pure 99%
Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate Powder - 5 Lbs.
Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate Powder - 5 Lbs.: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

 

[rkymtnman]

I don’t use sterilizers

I used zone many many years ago. and then it became unavailable.

I tried the southern AG GFF (more concentrated version of HydroGuard)

then went to HTH pool shock. I like it: cheap and easy