OxyBull Moves Water Throughout The Water Storage Tank

Agrona’s OxyBull aeration system provides crystal clear and healthy oxygen-rich water at VG Orchids in De Lier. The aeration system has been expanded with an oxygen sensor for continuous oxygen measurement in a basin or silo. By connecting to a climate computer, the grower can monitor the oxygen content.

“The OxyBull aeration system that lies on the bottom of the water pond moves the water throughout the pond. That is the proper functioning you need for the aeration with oxygen. And you can’t do that with a floating system,” says Otwin van Geest, co-owner of VG Orchids. The company grows different types and colors of pot orchids on 73,000 m2. Minis in 6 cm pots are produced on 12,000 m2. The rest of the greenhouse area is divided in two with white and mixed colours, both in 12 cm pots.

Higher oxygen content
The OxyBull that now provides aeration in a water pond comes from a water storage tank of a company that they sold. Van Geest: “When we took the OxyBull out of the water storage tank to move it to the pond, the water was crystal clear and the bottom super clean. The aeration system ensures that the water becomes very healthy. Because in the water of the pond, which is equipped with a roof tarpaulin, some algae formed before that time. Thanks to the good ventilation, we no longer suffer from this. And we measure a higher oxygen content above the saturation point and that is fine.”

Continuous measurement and monitoring
Agrona has now built an oxygen sensor into the OxyBull aeration system, with which the oxygen content can be measured continuously. By connecting to the climate computer, the data is saved every 5 minutes and can be displayed in graphs on the computer monitor. “In this way, a grower can easily monitor the oxygen levels of the input water up to the drip line from behind his desk,” says Nadir Laaguili, director of Agrona.

More vital and beautiful plants
“Thanks to the OxyBull, we have better rooting and a few percent less loss. And also more vital and more beautiful plants, which gives better flowers,” says the orchid grower, who is particularly satisfied with what he says is the best aeration system. “Because it makes the water healthier. And water is still a neglected child at many horticultural companies. But because much more is recycled in horticulture, healthy water is very important. We recycle between 80 and 85% and would not have expected that years ago. It is often in our heads that adding new water is better, but that is not the case, because aeration means that the water is completely fresh again.”

Accumulated knowledge and good guidance
Over the years, Agrona has built up a great deal of knowledge and experience with the OxyBull aeration system. The director: “We guide and advise growers well about the application and monitor their analyses. The operation of the aeration system has been demonstrated and ensures better nutrient absorption by the roots. And the use of chemical agents, such as hydrogen peroxide, is no longer necessary, because the pipes remain clean.”

The OxyBull aeration system is maintenance-free, so that the user has no maintenance costs, but only one-off investment costs that are eligible for subsidy schemes. The great advantage of the aeration system is that it can be used for small and large quantities of water in water storage tanks. “With a relatively small investment, a grower can optimize the water quality in his company.”

Text and photos: Harry Stijger