Simple Aerator 4 Ebb

My veg set up is a grow tray n res under it. I found that if I place my overflow line directly above the water pump it does 2 things.
First, it causes water movement. Secondly, it makes bubbles. They get sucked back into the pump line and back into the system.
Before I was completely set up, I ran the water pump line through the bottom of the tray,made a big loop, then back through the same whole in the tray. Then I set it above the pump. I watered 3 times a day and the rest of the time I watched the bubbles constanly get recyled. I believe it acted to diffuse the oxygen.

I am a little unsure as to what you are explaining in terms of your recycling O2 system, but hopefully this will shed some light on beneficial practices in the garden when maximizing oxygen intake to your system Megalith! As you already know (I am assuming), the more oxygen to your root zone the better growth you will see due to the plants ability to uptake nutrients faster. Unfortunately, ebb and flow systems (flood tables) are unable to give pure bubbling oxygen to the root zone like a DWC system, so the res solution has to be as oxygenated as possible. Most airstones don't diffuse oxygen well enough into your nutrient solution to make a difference so my recommendation is to leave 2 micropore airstones (listed below) connected to a reliable pump to keep oxygen in your res and your solution agitated. I cannot recommend messing with the overflow lines but if you want to increase aeration even more having an airstone or 2 in your flood table could work as well. If you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask!

http://www.hydrogardencenter.com/commercialairpumpwith8outlets70ltperminute.aspx
http://www.hydrogardencenter.com/airstoneround4.aspx

sexyroots.for.all said:

I am a little unsure as to what you are explaining in terms of your recycling O2 system, but hopefully this will shed some light on beneficial practices in the garden when maximizing oxygen intake to your system Megalith! As you already know (I am assuming), the more oxygen to your root zone the better growth you will see due to the plants ability to uptake nutrients faster. Unfortunately, ebb and flow systems (flood tables) are unable to give pure bubbling oxygen to the root zone like a DWC system, so the res solution has to be as oxygenated as possible. Most airstones don't diffuse oxygen well enough into your nutrient solution to make a difference so my recommendation is to leave 2 micropore airstones (listed below) connected to a reliable pump to keep oxygen in your res and your solution agitated. I cannot recommend messing with the overflow lines but if you want to increase aeration even more having an airstone or 2 in your flood table could work as well. If you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask!

http://www.hydrogardencenter.com/commercialairpumpwith8outlets70ltperminute.aspx
http://www.hydrogardencenter.com/airstoneround4.aspx

Click to expand...

Thanks dude,
I will try to be more clear. Before my ebb n flow was set up I didnt have the fittings for the hose lines in the bottom of the tray. So, I just hooked upthe pump and ran a hose up through the bottom of the tray so I could manually water them 3 times a day. My res is top open, that is there is no cover. The tray rest on top of it. I started experimenting with water movement by moving the hose to different spots in the res. So I ended up taking the hose I ran up through the tray(from the water pump) and made a 10 in. loop. I then ran the open end back through the tray and aimed the water from the hose line right above the pump. What this does is when the water comes out of the hose it splashes into the water in the res. This causes water movent and it forces air into the water. How? When the hose water splashes into the res it makes bubbles. You can see in a simple experiment by taking a half full glass of water and pouring another glass slowly into it. You will see all the air bubbles. So, I realized that aiming the water over the pump makes the buubles that then, get sucked back into the pump. I used a clear hose and could see the bubbles being recycled through the line like a diffuser. So it made perfect sense to me that when I got the fittings and it was set up I could use the drain hose from the ebb and flow and set it above the pump splashing water in the same way. I'm not entirely sure how it all works as the air moves up through the media and tray, this i cant see unless I find a clear tables to see through. I was however thinking that I could put a Y fitting on the tray for the pump line. Then i could run the same loop set up and have both relieve just above the pump. This will ensure it is workining since u can see the air being diffused in the loop. By the way, I of course already have airstones going as well. I hope this helps.