AeraGrow For Plant Media And Aquarium Filters

AeraGrow offers numerous environmental and plant-specific benefits, proving to be a versatile and advantageous growing medium. It is suitable for all types of hydroponic systems and supports the robust growth of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowering plants.

Proper preparation of AeraGrow is crucial before use. This involves thoroughly cleaning the aggregates to remove dust and ensuring their pH is balanced. Achieving a neutral pH is especially vital when AeraGrow is the sole medium in a hydroponic setup.

Aeration and Drainage
AeraGrow's distinctive porous and unevenly shaped aggregates create an optimal balance of internal small pores and larger external pore spaces. This unique structure governs its ability to retain water and air, and efficiently deliver these essential elements to plants. The most remarkable feature of AeraGrow is the specific distribution and high interconnectivity of its pores. This interconnectivity provides an expansive surface area, facilitating extensive root growth both within and around the aggregates. While the larger pores between the aggregates ensure swift drainage and continuous air exchange, rapidly dissolving oxygen into the water and delivering it to the roots, the smaller pores are simultaneously filled with fresh air and enveloped by a film of oxygen-saturated water. Consequently, post-irrigation, each individual pore functions akin to a 'micro Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) system.' This combined structure of small and large pore spaces fosters an ideal environment—rich in oxygen-saturated water and nutrients—for roots, beneficial microorganisms, and worms to flourish.

Water Retention
AeraGrow demonstrates excellent water retention, capable of holding up to 30% of its own volume in water following irrigation. Its specific pore size and interconnected network also promote horizontal water diffusion, leading to consistent moisture distribution throughout the medium. This uniformity, in turn, encourages even root growth, allowing plants to fully utilize the entire volume of the growing medium.

Capillary Action
The precise pore size and connectivity of AeraGrow's result in superior wicking capabilities. AeraGrow can effectively absorb and retain moisture up to four inches above the water level. This strong capillary action offers several advantages, primarily by creating a continuously moist yet highly aerated environment for roots situated above the direct water level. These optimal conditions significantly boost the development of fine, hairy roots, thereby substantially increasing the root system's overall absorption area. Practically, AeraGrow's wicking ability means that in flood and drain tables, the water level only needs to be raised two to three inches below the medium's surface. The uppermost layer of AeraGrow will remain consistently moist and well-aerated, which eliminates excessive surface moisture, thereby reducing the likelihood of fungus gnat infestations and algae growth.

Easy Root Zone Control — High Steerability
Compared to other growing media, AeraGrow's inherently drier nature offers multiple benefits. It allows for quick and precise adjustments to root zone nutrient levels, pH, and moisture content. This adaptability makes it straightforward to transition plants from the vegetative to the bloom phase. Gardeners can implement frequent feedings without the risk of overwatering, root rot, or increasing the plant’s susceptibility to Pythium and other fungal diseases.

Silica Release
AeraGrow's surface actively leaches out silica in a bioavailable form—monosilicic acid (H4SiO4)—which roots can readily absorb. Plants that accumulate silica exhibit enhanced resistance to various environmental stressors, including drought, salinity, heavy metals, and pathogens.

Lightweight
AeraGrow aggregates are remarkably lightweight, possessing a bulk density of just 0.20 grams per cubic centimeter.

Versatile Applications
AeraGrow is highly versatile, making it an excellent choice for a wide array of applications, including hydroponics, as an aerator in 'soil' blends, in bonsai mixes, aquaponics, green roofs, and more.

When considered as bio media, AeraGrow functions as a porous, recycled silica material primarily used as a substrate for beneficial bacteria in aquarium filters, effectively serving as a biological filter medium due to its large surface area for bacterial colonization. It is suitable for both hydroponic and aquarium use.

Key points about AeraGrow as bio media:

• Material:
  It is manufactured from inert, recycled silica waste, which provides a stable environment conducive to bacterial growth.
• Porosity:
  The silica's structure features numerous small pores and crevices, maximizing the available surface area for bacterial colonization.
• Water Retention:
  Unlike some other bio media, AeraGrow possesses good water retention capabilities, crucial for maintaining a healthy bacterial colony.
• Applications:
  Its primary use is in aquarium filters, where it facilitates biological filtration by breaking down harmful ammonia and nitrite into less toxic nitrate.

How to Adjust or Change the pH
To adjust AeraGrow's pH, soak it for 24 hours in tap or well water pre-adjusted to 5.5 pH. For optimal results, ensure the water volume is double the amount of AeraGrow in the soaking bucket. After 24 hours, dispose of the soaking water, preferably in a garden. Conclude by flushing the AeraGrow with fresh 5.5 pH-adjusted tap/well water as a final rinse. Once prepped, place the AeraGrow into your system with your pH-adjusted nutrient solution. It is essential to always soak and rinse AeraGrow before use, adjusting the pH until it achieves a neutral state. AeraGrow's rough surface texture makes it an ideal medium by encouraging roots to branch out and grow thicker, thereby enhancing water and nutrient uptake.

Mixing AeraGrow with Coco Coir: To blend AeraGrow with coco coir, combine equal volumes (approximately 50% AeraGrow to 50% coco coir) after ensuring the coco coir is thoroughly hydrated. This combination yields a balanced mix with excellent drainage and aeration, suitable for most plants. The specific ratio can be adjusted based on the plant's individual needs and desired moisture retention.

Mixing AeraGrow with Coco Peat: When mixing AeraGrow with coco peat, a ratio of approximately 30% AeraGrow to 70% coco peat is recommended. This blend leverages the coco peat's strong water retention while AeraGrow significantly enhances aeration and drainage, crucial for preventing root rot and ensuring adequate oxygen supply to plant roots.

Key points to remember when mixing:

• Expand Coco Peat:
  Always pre-soak coco peat to ensure it fully expands before mixing.
  
• Consider Plant Needs:
  The ratio can be slightly adjusted; use more AeraGrow for plants requiring superior drainage, and slightly less for those needing more moisture retention.

Benefits of Mixing:

• Improved Drainage:
  AeraGrow's inclusion significantly improves drainage, actively preventing waterlogging and root rot.
  
• Increased Aeration:
  Its porous nature ensures better air circulation around the plant roots.
  
• Nutrient Control:
  Enhanced drainage facilitates more effective management of nutrient levels.

Preferred AeraGrow Preparation for your Hydroponic System:

1. Rinse AeraGrow thoroughly with a hose to remove any unwanted debris.
   
2. Soak it for 24 hours in tap or well water adjusted to 5.5 pH. For best results, use a bucket where the water volume is double that of the AeraGrow.
   
3. After 24 hours, dispose of the soaking water, preferably in a garden.
   
4. Flush the AeraGrow with 5.5 pH-adjusted tap/well water as a final rinse.
   
5. Introduce the prepped AeraGrow into your system along with a pH-adjusted nutrient solution.

Alternative Method for Prepping AeraGrow to Mix with Other Grow Media:

1. Puncture small holes at the bottom of the AeraGrow bag.
   
2. Open the top of the bag and rinse the AeraGrow thoroughly using a garden hose.
   
3. Allow it to drain completely.
   
4. Combine one part AeraGrow with two to four parts of other grow media, such as peat moss, coco coir, composted soil, or your preferred mix.

Transplanting Your Plants into AeraGrow:

1. Carefully create a hole in the AeraGrow planting mix large enough to comfortably accommodate your plant's roots.
   
2. Gently place the plant's roots into the hole and cover them with the AeraGrow mix, pressing lightly with your hands.
   
3. Water the plant immediately after transplanting to establish firm contact between the roots and their new environment.

Getting your AeraGrow ready for gardening is easy. Tools Required:

• AeraGrow
• pH pen
  
• General Hydroponics pH op and pH down solutions

Always ensure AeraGrow is soaked and rinsed before use, adjusting it with pH-balanced water until a neutral pH is achieved. Its rough surface texture is beneficial for encouraging roots to branch and thicken, optimizing water and nutrient absorption.

AeraGrow Soil Aerator is highly suitable for most planting mixes. In contrast to perlite and Hydroton®, which are obtained through environmentally damaging strip mining, AeraGrow is produced from 100% recycled materials.

Features:

• Ideal for both indoor and outdoor gardening applications.
  
• Resistant to breakdown or compaction over time.
  
• Does not float when irrigated, ensuring stability in the growing medium.
  
• Made from 100% recycled materials.
  
• Provides four times more aeration compared to coco coir.
  
• Lightweight and dust-free.