Is the black a mould or damage?
Damage
Are you watering when sun is not hottest?
How frequently do you water? Is it over watered?
It's in hydro, as mentioned in the post. It's a recirculating drip system with LECA. The clay balls are constantly damp, and there's an overabundance of water, nutrients and oxygen at the same time. Zero root rot ever.
Are the chilli OK or not produced yet?
No harvest or fruits yet. The flower pods fall off. I've checked the EC and pH, and flushed the reservoir. There could have been slight nutrient uptake issues in the last days or weeks, but nothing major.