Using a water chillier for a hydroponics nutrient solution can be highly beneficial for the rapid and healthy growth of plants. A hydroponics system in most cases uses a circulating pump to circulate the water solution around the system whether DWC, NFT or flood and drain which itself adds heat to the water. Add to that the ambient temperature of the surroundings and indoor lights, water temperature in a indoor growing environment can rise to levels where water oxygen holding levels can be extremely poor. When grown in soil, plants roots are always kept at a steady temperature naturally, but when grown in water the latent heat content makes water a good conductor for heat from the surroundings, hence why water is used as a coolant in automotive, industrial and manufacturing processes.
Plants Roots Require Good Oxygen Levels
Plants roots require a good oxygen flow and water can hold more oxygen at lower temperatures. In most hydroponics systems ideal water temperature needs to be between 22DegC for winter and 24DegC a good winter water temperature. Pathogens like warm water and can soon take hold in warm water conditions. When water is cooled the plant gets all the right signals and a good level of oxygen which ticks a important box.
Water Chiller Versus Air Conditioning
In most indoor grow areas the environment can get hot due to lights and other heat loads. Most growers use a air conditioning unit to try and combat the heat directly at the source. This can cause problems with humidity as a direct cooling process can take a lot of moister out of the area and dry the plants out. Plants thrive in warm humid environments and can take high temperatures and transpire very effectively as long as the roots are cool. When a water chiller is used the ambient temperature and humidity can be significantly higher than the water temperature and the oxygen levels in the water will not be affected by the ambient room temperature.
Important Options When Buying A Hydroponics Water Chiller
It is very important to buy a hydroponics water chiller with a titanium heat exchanger. If your chiller has not got a titanium heat exchanger than contamination between the metal can spoil the nutrient solution. Because many hydroponics nutrient solutions have a high acid or alkaline content this can corrode cheap base metals to the extent that metal peroration and contamination of the water becomes a issue to your background water levels.
Pro's and Cons of a hydroponics water chiller
Pro's
- A hydroponics water chiller combats heat where it matters
- Improves oxygen levels in the water
- Repels pathogens in the root mass of plants
- Ideal for NFT, F&D, DWC and Aeroponics
- Many hydroponics water chillers have a air filter which acts as a air cleaner
- A water chiller does not dry out the room like air conditioning though they can be used together
Con's
- The heat load from the water chiller has to be extracted from the room
- Noise levels and vibration from cheap water chillers can be annoying
- Cheap water chillers don't have a titanium heat exchanger
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