Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

ok, i'll not bother VB.

Just to clarify for everyone, VB and I are talking about the ultrasonic "foggers" used in fountains when we say that research has sown that the nutes don't make it into the fog

ok so this might sounds crazy but what if you used like mulit layered media, hydroton on the bottom and then some kind of compost on the top, you use the fogger to wet the roots and media and in turn it can be absorbed into the compost and into the plants, then the roots get 100% oxygen and the nutes. although this isn't really for aquaponics but would make use of the foggers and would prolly be a kool experiment.

i don't think that the difference in 100% O2 sat. DWC compared to Aero would be all that great.

I think O2 might be only half the story.
Aero puts atomised (30- 80 micron size) droplets into the rootzone.
They are surrounded by air and not having much mass will be super saturated with O2.

Apart from the high 02, true atomised aero uses droplets that are the perfect size for the plant to absorb.

The ultrasonic type foggers tend to produce much smaller droplets than the average 50 microns size aero uses ...maybe they`re just too small.

Thanx Hex, always willing to learn something new!

Cheers Steve,
I like the idea of aero but not the cost and complexity of it.
I`ve looked into using CDA type sprayers for aero which should alleviate the mister blockage issues and the need for high pressure pumps.
I even bought a used ULVA+ sprayer off ebay for £20 (over £100 new) to experiment with.
A very simple bit of kit (battery operated) but does a great job of producing almost invisible mist from the 3" atomiser disc.

I grilled the R&D dept (www.micron.co.uk) for tech info and to get the magic 50 micron droplet average i`ll need between 10-15,000 rpm at the disc.
The only problem is the internal motor won`t last more than a few weeks at that speed LOL but it`s certainly feasible.

I`ll have to come up with some heath robinson solution involving a small but robust 40w (1725rpm) sealed greenhouse fan motor and maybe some pulleys to step up the rpm.

I enjoy being the mad scientist

here is a link to some people that are doing Areo pretty well but its normal hydro ill it a good place for some information

http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=15115

If you have 3 grand to spare you could buy one of these, they are pretty much the optimum method for aero as they use compressed air atomising nozzles.. a bit expensive though

http://www.atomix.eu/atomix-technology.html

so how do you know how much oxygenation you are getting, how much o2 can water hold? is it possible to achieve 100%oxygenation with ntf. the web site says the plants are allowed to feed all the time, well in our systems arn't the plants always feeding from the bacteria and wetness of the system?

Hi RB
About 9ppm depending on temperature.
If it`s too wet or dry the plant roots can regulate the resistance to protect themselves, pretty much a two way street like the leaf surface.
If the balance is perfect, along with temp, light intensity,CO2 and a host of other variables you get maximum growth.

It`s an uphill battle all the way

guys thanks for all your comments it been a while since I was able to log back in something went wrong with my internet anyway at least I was able to know that aero for aquaponics is not recommended cheers!!!

I wouldn't blow the idea off altogether. Consider it as a supplemental part of your system and have a play.

its a good system to start plants from cuttings ive been told.

The hydro shop that I visit fairly often has a fogging system set up, it's rather unusual as the fogger turns on for it's cycle and the misty fog begins to seep out of any holes, and flow down onto the ground.. They have a large fogger unit though, the small pond type ones just weren't cutting it.

Jamesto... have a look at this thread...

http://backyardaquaponics.com/forum/vie ... php?t=1627

It effectively "aerates" as it supplies the nutrients.... I believe this is probably an easy and potentially a highly efficient way to incorporate AP and hydro techniques together....

The splashing that occurs by the water delivery would be sufficient IMHO to provide all the oxygen needs for the plants.