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Step 6The Aeration System
The Aeration System is set up to deliver a continuous, controlled airflow into the nutrient solution. It is made up of the air pump, air tubing, shut-off valves and airbars (Figure 6B).
The air tubing came packaged in a tightly wound coil. This was very cumbersome to work with because the tubing always tends to spring back into that shape. I let the tubing soak in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes and then stretched it out while it was still hot. When it cooled the tubing remained straight and was much easier to work with.
Between the air pump and the airbars, the tubing is interrupted by the shut-off valves. The rate of airflow into each airbar can be easily adjusted by twisting the knobs on the valves.
From the valves the tubing is fed through the holes in the side of the reservoir and into each airbar. the tubing runs through the side of the reservoir rather than the lid so that the lid can be removed without disturbing the air lines (Figure 6C).
Finally, the airbars are positioned so that they line up underneath all six of the mesh pots. From there they distribute air evenly to each plant (Figure 6D).
The air tubing came packaged in a tightly wound coil. This was very cumbersome to work with because the tubing always tends to spring back into that shape. I let the tubing soak in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes and then stretched it out while it was still hot. When it cooled the tubing remained straight and was much easier to work with.
Between the air pump and the airbars, the tubing is interrupted by the shut-off valves. The rate of airflow into each airbar can be easily adjusted by twisting the knobs on the valves.
From the valves the tubing is fed through the holes in the side of the reservoir and into each airbar. the tubing runs through the side of the reservoir rather than the lid so that the lid can be removed without disturbing the air lines (Figure 6C).
Finally, the airbars are positioned so that they line up underneath all six of the mesh pots. From there they distribute air evenly to each plant (Figure 6D).
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