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J Henry
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How many of you are water chiller fans here? Let’s take a closer look trying to solve a low oxygen problem with cold water and a water chiller.
Dissolved Oxygen in Hydroponics – Dissolved oxygen in hydroponics is that missing link to faster growth rated, healthier plants and even bigger yields. http://www.grozine.com/2014/01/31/dissolved-oxygen-in-hydroponics/
[DISSOLVED OXYGEN and the immediate pivot] - A Chiller increases Dissolved Oxygen in Hydroponics for faster growth and healthier crops.
… most growers are aware that their plants use CO2 (carbon dioxide) through their leaves, and know they may increase growth rates by increasing these levels. However, few “think O2” when contemplating what is propelling their garden forward in the hopes of achieving health yields.
Just like in humans, O2 is critical for respiration-when plants actually use all the sugars they manufacture during light hours to grow, this mostly happens during the dark cycle. You can load your crops with carbs, but if they don’t have enough O2, that can become a limiting factor in how much of those carbs they can “burn” for growth. Oxygen availability in the root zone is highly critical for root health and nutrient uptake. In warm and wet conditions, oxygen levels are low because colder water holds much, much more water oxygen-as do the pore spaces around the roots when empty. [air is the limiting factor for oxygenation – air contains only 20% oxygen and a whopping 80% nitrogen]
The relationship of dissolved oxygen levels to temperature in hydroponics [absolutely, see Henry’s Law -- William Henry in 1803. It states: "At a constant temperature, the amount of a given gas that dissolves in a given type and volume of liquid is directly proportional to the partial pressure of that gas in equilibrium with that liquid."]
Once the pore spaces become depleted of O2 for a period and then coupled with warmer temperatures, rots and diminished uptake are sure to follow. Even though your plants aren’t showing root rot, it doesn’t mean that they are wasting a lot of their valuable energy fighting infections at the roots rather than growing faster; all simply due to a lower O2 level at the roots.
***Typically 16 PPM (parts per million) of DO (dissolved oxygen) at the roots is considered very good. Most healthy growing situations are probably half of that. Double these amounts are possible with specialized technologies that actually dissolve O2 in solutions, rather than just bubble it through (diffusion).
[Your DO choice is personal, Had you rather have “very good oxygenation 16 ppm DO concentration supersaturation” or “good oxygenation 8 ppm DO concentration saturation” or “low oxygenation, root rot and unhealthy plants <8 ppm DO concentration <saturation?” And of course if you are not a RDWC/DWC grower, nutrient oxygenation is meaningless and certainly a waste of your valuable time.]
[Pivot from oxygen to air] - In hydroponic systems, add a small fountain or aquarium circulation pump to your reservoir, and re-circulate the solution 24/7, allowing it to fall through the air back into the tank. When water “falls” it picks up and dissolves O2 into it, and then can deliver it right to your plants roots. Watch the pump doesn’t add too much extra heat to your reservoir. [more heat = even lower dissolved oxygen << DO in solution and additional more sever low oxygen problems]
[Pivot from oxygen to air] - In soil and soilless gardens, the act of watering introduces O2 into the root zone, because typically, the water is travelling through the air and percolating into the soil, carrying O2 along with it. Improving drainage allows for more frequent waterings and therefore a more frequent replenishment of O2 levels. Note that O2 gets depleted quickly.
[Another pivot from oxygen back to air] “…draw a HUGE amount of air into the rootzone” INSIDER TIP: if watering soil plants in containers, “Shop-Vac” up the excess run off from trays, troughs, floors, etc that your containers are on right after you water. When sucking up the solution below (that is still connected, drop by drop to the roots) on the floor or saucer with a Vac, you will draw a HUGE amount of air into the rootzone. You can actually see it with your eyes,
The art of deal is salesmanship, if you need more oxygen, refrigerate the water and sell more water chillers. Confusing oxygen with air and air with oxygen, chill water if you need more oxygen and the point is to sell water chillers.
Do any of you really know how much dissolved oxygen is in your RDWC/DWC solution? How do you know when you need more dissolved oxygen? Have you ever actually tested the DO Saturation in your nutrient solution?
The final and most direct correction for any and all low oxygen problems is very simple – reverse the low oxygen deficit by dissolving a higher concentration of oxygen into your water – oxygen concentration greater than 20% oxygen (air) and apply Henry’s Law.
Dissolved Oxygen in Hydroponics – Dissolved oxygen in hydroponics is that missing link to faster growth rated, healthier plants and even bigger yields. http://www.grozine.com/2014/01/31/dissolved-oxygen-in-hydroponics/
[DISSOLVED OXYGEN and the immediate pivot] - A Chiller increases Dissolved Oxygen in Hydroponics for faster growth and healthier crops.
… most growers are aware that their plants use CO2 (carbon dioxide) through their leaves, and know they may increase growth rates by increasing these levels. However, few “think O2” when contemplating what is propelling their garden forward in the hopes of achieving health yields.
Just like in humans, O2 is critical for respiration-when plants actually use all the sugars they manufacture during light hours to grow, this mostly happens during the dark cycle. You can load your crops with carbs, but if they don’t have enough O2, that can become a limiting factor in how much of those carbs they can “burn” for growth. Oxygen availability in the root zone is highly critical for root health and nutrient uptake. In warm and wet conditions, oxygen levels are low because colder water holds much, much more water oxygen-as do the pore spaces around the roots when empty. [air is the limiting factor for oxygenation – air contains only 20% oxygen and a whopping 80% nitrogen]
The relationship of dissolved oxygen levels to temperature in hydroponics [absolutely, see Henry’s Law -- William Henry in 1803. It states: "At a constant temperature, the amount of a given gas that dissolves in a given type and volume of liquid is directly proportional to the partial pressure of that gas in equilibrium with that liquid."]
Once the pore spaces become depleted of O2 for a period and then coupled with warmer temperatures, rots and diminished uptake are sure to follow. Even though your plants aren’t showing root rot, it doesn’t mean that they are wasting a lot of their valuable energy fighting infections at the roots rather than growing faster; all simply due to a lower O2 level at the roots.
***Typically 16 PPM (parts per million) of DO (dissolved oxygen) at the roots is considered very good. Most healthy growing situations are probably half of that. Double these amounts are possible with specialized technologies that actually dissolve O2 in solutions, rather than just bubble it through (diffusion).
[Your DO choice is personal, Had you rather have “very good oxygenation 16 ppm DO concentration supersaturation” or “good oxygenation 8 ppm DO concentration saturation” or “low oxygenation, root rot and unhealthy plants <8 ppm DO concentration <saturation?” And of course if you are not a RDWC/DWC grower, nutrient oxygenation is meaningless and certainly a waste of your valuable time.]
[Pivot from oxygen to air] - In hydroponic systems, add a small fountain or aquarium circulation pump to your reservoir, and re-circulate the solution 24/7, allowing it to fall through the air back into the tank. When water “falls” it picks up and dissolves O2 into it, and then can deliver it right to your plants roots. Watch the pump doesn’t add too much extra heat to your reservoir. [more heat = even lower dissolved oxygen << DO in solution and additional more sever low oxygen problems]
[Pivot from oxygen to air] - In soil and soilless gardens, the act of watering introduces O2 into the root zone, because typically, the water is travelling through the air and percolating into the soil, carrying O2 along with it. Improving drainage allows for more frequent waterings and therefore a more frequent replenishment of O2 levels. Note that O2 gets depleted quickly.
[Another pivot from oxygen back to air] “…draw a HUGE amount of air into the rootzone” INSIDER TIP: if watering soil plants in containers, “Shop-Vac” up the excess run off from trays, troughs, floors, etc that your containers are on right after you water. When sucking up the solution below (that is still connected, drop by drop to the roots) on the floor or saucer with a Vac, you will draw a HUGE amount of air into the rootzone. You can actually see it with your eyes,
The art of deal is salesmanship, if you need more oxygen, refrigerate the water and sell more water chillers. Confusing oxygen with air and air with oxygen, chill water if you need more oxygen and the point is to sell water chillers.
Do any of you really know how much dissolved oxygen is in your RDWC/DWC solution? How do you know when you need more dissolved oxygen? Have you ever actually tested the DO Saturation in your nutrient solution?
The final and most direct correction for any and all low oxygen problems is very simple – reverse the low oxygen deficit by dissolving a higher concentration of oxygen into your water – oxygen concentration greater than 20% oxygen (air) and apply Henry’s Law.
