First_Ideas

RE: First_Ideas

DAB — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 18:59:46 GMT

Are you planning to control the temperature for the plants?

You have to be careful if they get too hot or too cold.

DAB

RE: First_Ideas

RWReynolds — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 18:40:05 GMT

Great information Michael.

Another method that might achieve acceptable aeration is to use a simple misting or sprinkler style nutrient/water delivery system.

Guys, what's your preferred grow medium for hydroponics? I have used clay pellets in the couple of hydro projects I've done in the past. But I'm thinking of using coconut coir for this project. Any preferences?

RE: First_Ideas

m.ratcliffe — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 16:30:16 GMT

Sorry I was a bit vague with the last message.

The water/nutrient mix you are using, needs more than just the correct amount of nutrients to work. The roots need a little bit of oxygen to work, if you let air come into contact with water the water will absorb a little oxygen out of the air to replace the bit the plants are using,

You could add chemical oxygen, Hydrogen peroxide does this well, but it is an expensive way to solve the problem. A more common way to Oxygenate the water is to increase the water/air interaction. Ie add an air pump and air stone to the system or by agitating the surface of the water. I preffer to use a "air Lift Pump" Because it does both and lets me move the water to a filtering point.

Soil based plants die when over watered because the roots get no oxygen. But in aquaponics the plant is able to survive because although they are submerged in water, the water is oxygenated.

RE: First_Ideas

m.ratcliffe — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 03:15:52 GMT

I found that the more DO [Dissolved oxygen] I had in the water the better the results, Blocking off the system with foam might cause you a bit of a problem if you have no water/air interaction elsewhere in the system. It sounds like an interesting project, I need a Conductivity Sensor myself and might hold off for a review on your diy solution.