Last month one of our farmers in Edmonton, Canada began experimenting with low-cost nano and microbubble generators. Nano and microbubbles are something that I have researched and watched since I was in my undergraduate. Their small stature and powerful punch have drawn in much research to further explore both the creation and function of these napoleon-esque gas bubbles.
Why Nano and microbubbles? The small size of these bubbles causes them to be negatively buoyant which allows them to stay in solution until they are used or mechanical disrupted. Staying in solution longer means that we don't have to waste so much air.

Due to changes in electrons the bubbles can become negatively charged in combination with its oxidizing capacity, allowing for a unique combination of providing ample oxygen while not oxidizing minerals beneficial to plant growth.

In the past 3-5 years, the technology available for these generators has evolved significantly and it appears as good results have come from both the hydroponic industry and the aquaculture industry separately. Moleaer is one manufacturer that I have gone to for larger-scale operations, though as of the writing of this the economics seemed not to make sense in operations less than 10,000 sq.ft. Recently I was re-introduced to one new product called Oxydosers which was introduced to me by Bradley Taylor at Family Farms aquaponic Farm in Florida. These are lost costs, devices that use a venturi effect and sheer force to shred bubbles into micro and nanobubble sizes. The catch is that they do require a lot of pressure to function in the optimal capacity. Preliminary cost estimates make it an attractive option and while we don't have definitive results yet, we are hoping to eliminate the use of air stones to increase crop growth. Initial results show that the device is excellent at creating highly oxygenated water, however, upon initial testing, there were some problems we ran into which we unrelated to the device that impacted plant growth and made our first trial results unusable. In the coming months we will continue experimenting.

Stay tuned in the future to see how our next trial does. Encouraging results from our friends at Family Farms aquaponic farm in Florida have us hopeful! For more information on nanobubbles check out this presentation by Moleaer for the Aquaponic Association

FAQs

Q1: How do nano and micro bubbles differ from regular-sized bubbles?

Nano and micro bubbles are significantly smaller, allowing for increased surface area and longer-lasting oxygenation, potentially benefiting nutrient delivery and plant health.

Q2: Can nano and micro bubbles be applied to traditional soil-based farming?

While their primary application is in hydroponics, future research may explore potential benefits in traditional farming systems.

Q3: What crops show the most significant response to nano and micro bubble integration?

The impact can vary, but leafy greens and herbs often exhibit positive responses, potentially due to improved nutrient absorption and oxygenation.