-Quote from Article:
(DO) is a term that defines the oxygen saturation level in the water. Point blank—the more oxygen in the water, the happier your plant's roots will be.
The chemical formula for water is H₂O, meaning that for each oxygen atom, there are two hydrogen atoms attached. This bundle forms a water molecule. So then, you may wonder, how is it possible to have more molecules of oxygen in the water, if each water molecule can only have one oxygen atom?
Without getting into too much science, think of it as chocolate milk. You mix chocolate into milk, shake, and voila—an instantaneous and delicious treat. Milk is still milk, chocolate still chocolate, but they blend nicely. The same principle happens with water and molecular oxygen—O₂.
-My response:
There is a couple things wrong with these claims:
If a plant has adequate levels of DO in the water and O2 is being replenished adequately increasing those levels will not make the roots any "happier".
DO saturation is dependent on water temp so the lower the water temp the higher the level of DO. Does this mean plants will grow faster in water that is 5 degrees? Hell no but that kinda how this article is making comparisons. So in claiming that higher DO allows for less nutrients by the same token if you lowers your water temps you also need less nutrients? Doesn't make sense does it.
The statements in para 3 is just so wrong and likely why it says without getting into to much science. Mixing O2 and water is not a simple as put them together and stir. O2 is a gas that is very hard to dissolve in water unlike some gasses like Co2. You would need to increase the pressure and dwell time of the gas significantly to get levels of o2 that exceed equilibrium at any given temp which determines the saturation point. Its not even close to the same principal unless you are using O2 emitters that cause 02 to be suspended in water not dissolved in water.
Anytime a comparison is made that is nothing like what you are dealing with be suspicious.
Quote from article:
Moving water is healthy water; and as water flows and tumbles about in oceans, rivers, ponds, rain, and even municipal water systems, air gets shaken into the water, and molecular oxygen gets trapped inside—just like our chocolate powder in milk.
On the contrary, stagnant water often turns “bad”. It is not the water that lost its shelf life, it’s that molecular oxygen gets depleted to a point where the perfect conditions for nefarious anaerobic bacteria happen.
This is why you were told as a kid to never drink water from a pond
My response:
We always have moving water not stagnant in DWC, we also have no substrate to create anaerobic conditions this info is 100% irrelevant and used to make it sound like someone know what they are talking about. Yes in lakes and streams and aquariums with substrate and stagnant water this can happen but not in our RDWC systems. Anaerobic conditions are impossible in our systems. Now not having adequate DO levels either due to high temps or poor gas exchange can cause root health issues and lead to an attack from bacteria and other pathogens but these are not anaerobic. I can't imagine how the hell they can compare this to RDWC.
Quote from article:
You do not need extra oxygen in water to grow healthy cannabis plants. But if you want to grow healthier, bigger, and more productive plants, you should really consider it.
Dissolved oxygen is the first line of defense against the dreaded anaerobic bacteria that cause root rot. It also promotes rapid root growth with a much higher density of fine root hairs, which are in fact the ones responsible for water intake. Water intake alone consumes a lot of plant energy in the form of oxygen.
My response:
Again impossible to have anaerobic condition in RDWC. The definition is literally an area void of oxygen... meaning none.
The claim made in the first sentence is just false except the first sentence.
Quote from article:
The increased availability of oxygen atoms also enhances the uptake of nutrients. Oxygen-deprived roots have no option but to substitute with other compounds and start producing ethylene, which causes cell damage and increases the chance of systemic disease.
Even if such is not the case, oxygen-deprived roots will potentially cause a calcium deficiency. Some might become confused why adding cal-mag products does little to nothing.
So the real question is, why wouldn’t you want to add extra oxygen?
My response:
First sentence is BS again notice how the claim from the first sentence is then changed to an argument made that roots deprived of oxygen do x,y,z. Nothing to support the claim and nothing to support at what levels just vague info with terrible comparisons.
Again roots with adequate DO and a systems with adequate gas exchange will no cause calcium problems and now they change their argument from why to why not? typical statement made when no valid argument can be given.
OK im not even going to go on... I'm sorry dude but there is just so much wrong with this and the worst part is people read and take it as honest and good advice.
Equilibrium is equilibrium if any gas goes above or below it will try to shift back to equilibrium and therefor even if you manage to add more o2 it will try to correct itself. I have injected Co2 into water for many many years using a reactor i built for my aquatic tanks and i can tell you the more surface agitation the faster it shifts back to equilibrium.