Anyone pump air into their soil medium?

[rrog]

I posted this on the organic soil forum, but I guess since I have a pump attached, they'd prefer I post over here.

Anyway, I'm pumping air to the bottom of a pail per this method: https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=135017

Aside from the details, is anyone else pumping air into or under their medium? There has been an inference that this is compromising an otherwise nice organic soil grow. I don't see how that's possible, but it was suggested I ask on this Organic Hydro forum.

Thanks for any thoughts.

 

[Guest 88950]

i'm growing in coco but i have been thinking of this too. i remember seeing a set up where a perforated tube was used as a passive way to get O2 to the root zone but i cant find that info anywhere. i think it was in an under current system but not sure.

ill post info as i find it.

 

[rrog]

I'm growing Super Silver Haze right now... that's funny! Did you change your avitar?

I've seen references to people installing a passive tube into a Perlite bottom layer. This is a passive means to get air in. I'm actually pumping air in, per that linked thread.

 

[lokes]

I pump air into my rez and water with the O2 rich water. Plus I use airpots which allows tons of air to the medium.

 

[echo_chamber]

I'd use smart pots instead, they give plenty of air to the root base in soil and don't require electricity and don't make noise

 

[rrog]

How do you find that works for you lokes? Are you using liquid ferts or amendments in the medium?

 

[rrog]

I'd use smart pots instead, they give plenty of air to the root base in soil and don't require electricity and don't make noise

Can't argue. The O2 is one aspect of what I'm thinking is beneficial. I had wondered if my huge air flow (on the order of 2.5-4 gallons per minute) wouldn't just dry up or kill the plants. Not the case, which is why I'm doing it again.

The other potential (opinion here) benefit is the upward movement of water may move nutrients up as well as respiration by-products out.

There's no getting away from the fact that there's the cost of a big pump, the noise of the pump (I have them soundproofed), and the cost to operate the pump.

The upside is I can't see any harm to the grow. At worst this may be a complete waste of time. At best I'm fully promoting the symbiotic micro-life and giving the roots all the moist O2 they can ever use.

 

[budrot]

Get an Air-dome for your auto-pots ;-)

 

[Guest 88950]

or DIY it using a net pot upside down with an airstone under it.


EDIT:

rrog, ive had that avatar 6 mos maybe.

 

[lokes]

How do you find that works for you lokes? Are you using liquid ferts or amendments in the medium?

i tried amendments first wanted to just add water. Ended up with deficiencies. I'm thinking KISS method next few runs with the Maxi, and Kool Bloom powders, FTW!

My goal is to be all organic one day, but its definitely not KISS, I don't care want anyone says. I'm thinking organics and super soils are at least a 4-6 run effort to get it dialed.

 

[rrog]

How did you like the air?

 

[budrot]

or DIY it using a net pot upside down with an airstone under it.


EDIT:

rrog, ive had that avatar 6 mos maybe.

I wouldn't bother, they are only 3 quid!

 

[h.h.]

http://www.growingproduce.com/americanvegetablegrower/?storyid=471

 

[rrog]

Thanks for that link H2?

Not to be critical, but I suspect that is a pseudo-science article from the manufacturer if the air system referenced in that piece. Could be true, but in my day job I see a lot of articles purporting data for the benefit of a commercial product.

I'm going to grow three plants with the air and three in straight soil. I have a feeling that with a really good, airy soil that the air injection may well prove a waste of time. Frankly I hope that's the case since I'd like to simplify this whole thing

 

[h.h.]

I believe the product was given to Fresno State to test. The college is non promotional.
You know I went down somewhat the same road with the air pump. I did find improvement but mostly it was just over complicating aerated teas.
I used a wick system last year in which I aerated the enclosed reservoir. The plants used did better than those without. I would need to repeat it to convince myself.
I guess it would be easier to explain why it wouldn't help than to explain why it did. If nothing else,maybe it just cools the pots

Try this link...
http://www.icwt.net/conference/Irrigation/Session%20E/0120-0140%20Dave%20Goorahoo.pdf

http://library-resources.cqu.edu.au/thesis/adt-QCQU/uploads/approved/adt-QCQU20050903.222650/public/02whole.pdf

 

[GivaDogaBone]

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When I over water the soil I run a pump for 24 hours, seems to help.

 

[rrog]

Interesting. So you're pumping air into the res. Is the res directly feeding the soil? Sounds like you are manually watering

 

[GivaDogaBone]

I did not like running hydro, so I removed the top and am using the bottom like a giant pot. First is a 3 inch layer of clay balls, then 2 inches of chunky perlite, and finally four inches of soil. I hand water or just pour into a corner, and when I see over an inch in the tube, I connect the air pump for a day or until the bubbling noise stops. Check out my previous threads and albums for info on my organic mix

 

[rrog]

I'm going to run my own side-by-side grow comparison. Same soil, same genetics, same lights, same water, etc. One set of pails will have air pumped in under the soil layer. The other set will have no pumped air. I'll post the grow log and pics.

I thought about posting on the side-by-side grow log forum, but after a few PMs and an attempted post on that forum... no reply. So I'll just stick with this Organic Hydro forum.

 

[Heyoka23]

Zandor at the grow report podcast talked about doing this and it being beneficial. I'm sure you can find a way to contact him at thedopefiend.co.uk. come to think of it I seem to remember him saying he has an account here too.