“ HYDROGEN PEROXIDE IS one of the most common ways to boost the dissolved oxygen content in a nutrient solution .”
dissolved oxygen
CONTROLLING THE TEMPERATURE OF THE AMBIENT AIR
One way to control the temperature of the nutrition solution is to maintain control over the temperature of the air in the room itself . Hydroponic systems , and anything else , housed within the growroom will eventually take on the ambient air temperature . If the room temperature is too warm , growers will have a more difficult time maintaining a cooler temperature within the hydroponic system . Ideally , the air temperature of an indoor garden not enriched with CO 2 is around 70 ° F . For growrooms enriched with CO 2 , an operating temperature of 75-80 ° F is ideal . By implementing air conditioners , exhaust and intake fans , and air-cooled reflectors , indoor horticulturists can effectively control their garden ’ s ambient air temperature . This will , in turn , help maintain sufficient dissolved oxygen in the growing medium or hydroponic solution . It can also be very beneficial to house the system ’ s reservoir in a location outside the growroom . Reservoirs housed in a location with a lower ambient air temperature will remain cooler than those located within the grow space .
CONTROLLING THE TEMPERATURE OF THE NUTRIENT SOLUTION
Water chillers are an increasingly popular tool used by hydroponic growers to maintain a cooler water temperature . They are essentially air conditioners for water . They are also particularly advantageous for hydroponic growers who enrich their gardens with CO 2 as the optimal operating air temperatures for these growrooms are higher than rooms without CO 2 enrichment . Water chillers allow growers who enrich with CO 2 to maintain adequate temperatures in the hydroponic system while maintaining the optimal ambient temperature for maximum CO 2 absorption .
“ HYDROGEN PEROXIDE IS one of the most common ways to boost the dissolved oxygen content in a nutrient solution .”
MECHANICAL AERATION
Mechanical aeration is one way growers can replenish the dissolved oxygen depleted during the plant ’ s growing process . It can be accomplished with rigorous circulation from a submersible pump or by an air pump connected to an air stone or diffuser . As the water bubbles or circulates , its surface tension is broken , allowing the water to absorb some of the molecular oxygen from the surrounding air . This type of aeration has limitations , however . First , regardless of how much air is pumped through a solution , there is a maximum saturation point . So , pumping more air does not necessarily equate to a higher dissolved oxygen content . Another potential issue is aerating with air stones and air pumps can increase the temperature of the nutrient solution . Air pumps have mechanical motors that create heat . In addition , most indoor horticulturists place the air pumps in the growing area . This means the ambient temperature of the growroom is literally being pumped through the hydroponic system , warming the solution . As previously mentioned , when the temperature of the water rises , its ability to hold dissolved oxygen decreases . Along with raising the temperature of the nutrient solution , air from the gardening area may also contain CO 2 or airborne pathogens that could cause issues when injected directly into the root zones of plants . So , simply put , mechanical aeration can be counterproductive .
66 grow cycle