Dear plant lovers and friends of healthy breathing air,
There have been a lot of questions about this in recent weeks, so today we're taking a look at one of the most important elements in our AIRY system: the water tank.
A well-maintained water tank is key to healthy and happy plants. Here are some tips and tricks to get the most out of your AIRY system:
1. Water quality: Always use clean, lime-free water for your AIRY system. This helps reduce deposits in the tank and ensures the well-being of your plants. The good news: Plants like "stale" water. The water tank in the AIRY biofilter ensures this without any additional effort on your part.
2. Water level indicator: Before we invented AIRY many years ago, water level indicators were only available for so-called "hydroponics." Plants in hydroponics literally live in a dead, inorganic environment, immersed in water. This water must always be kept at an optimal level for the system to function. With AIRY, things are different. There's a "minimum" and a "maximum" that signal the water level in a simple and, in our opinion, very nice way.
3. Water level: You can always refill the water tank in the AIRY system up to the maximum. BUT: Some plants, such as snake plants, like and need it a bit drier from time to time. Therefore, please consider the basic requirements of the plant you are using. You can also find information and tips here in the blog, via our chatbot, or contact us directly (info@airy.green).
4. Use of water additives: Depending on your needs and the type of plant, you can occasionally add special additives such as fertilizer or our AIRY Vitalizer to the water in your tank. However, be sure to follow the dosage instructions to avoid over-fertilization, for example. The general rule is: less is more!
5. How often to refill: In our advertising and on our website, we say that the AIRY's water tank lasts for a fairly long time (several weeks). This is true. However, refilling is often necessary much more frequently in the first few weeks. This is because the relative humidity in the ambient air is too low. The plant and water tank then release MORE moisture into the room air until it settles at a level comfortable for the plant (40 to 60%).
6. Substrate or filling nozzle: There are simple rules for watering that have been derived from the experience of the last few years:
After planting the AIRY system, please water carefully over the substrate NEXT to the plant during the first four weeks.
Then simply pour directly into the water tank through the filler neck. The only exception: If the AIRY system is completely dry, please pour some water over the substrate again before filling the water tank. Only then will the capillarity of the mineral substrate be restored (you can hear this every time the substrate crackles as it stores the water).
Finally, a word about the size of the water tank in the AIRY biofilters, because it varies:
- AIRY S: about 0.8 liters
- AIRY M: about 1.6 liters
- AIRY L: about 3.2 liters
Oh yes, one more point:
The water level indicator, that long rod with the little blue cloud at the tip, is raised by one or two air-filled spheres. So don't be surprised if you add water to the tank and nothing happens at first. This is especially true with the AIRY Biofilter L, and it's logical: The water needs to cover the bottom of the tank and fill it enough for the spheres to rise. And given the size, that takes a moment...
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time (info@airy.green).
2 comments
Peer-Arne Böttcher
Dear John,
Please excuse the very late reply to your comment. We just came across it by chance and realized that we are not automatically informed about the comments on our own blog…
To your points:
- the foul odor will probably have been caused by a lot of dirt accumulating in the water tank. This is encouraged, for example, if water is mainly poured over the mineral substrate or if fertilizers get stuck in the tank. In this respect, your cleaning measure was absolutely correct – and obviously successful, at least in this respect!
- to your second point. These are very likely to be fungus gnats. Although they are completely harmless to us humans, they are totally annoying and can also harm the plant in the long term. They are becoming increasingly common as plants are grown in greenhouses without peat and are therefore (more) biologically sound. Good for the environment, but also good for the reproduction of fungus gnats. The measures to be recommended are twofold: please collect the already living insects with so-called yellow boards, while the larvae can be controlled with various biologically sound means. We have had very good experience with the products from “Plantura”.
Please contact us directly (info@airy.green) if we can help you further or if you have any other questions.
Dear John,
Please excuse the very late reply to your comment. We just came across it by chance and realized that we are not automatically informed about the comments on our own blog…
To your points:
- the foul odor will probably have been caused by a lot of dirt accumulating in the water tank. This is encouraged, for example, if water is mainly poured over the mineral substrate or if fertilizers get stuck in the tank. In this respect, your cleaning measure was absolutely correct – and obviously successful, at least in this respect!
- to your second point. These are very likely to be fungus gnats. Although they are completely harmless to us humans, they are totally annoying and can also harm the plant in the long term. They are becoming increasingly common as plants are grown in greenhouses without peat and are therefore (more) biologically sound. Good for the environment, but also good for the reproduction of fungus gnats. The measures to be recommended are twofold: please collect the already living insects with so-called yellow boards, while the larvae can be controlled with various biologically sound means. We have had very good experience with the products from “Plantura”.
Please contact us directly (info@airy.green) if we can help you further or if you have any other questions.
John Calaway
Dear Airy,
I have the large two-plant Airy, and the round single plant Airy. The water is both reservoirs smell quite foul. Our watering practice is to allow the meter to drop to the bottom reading before refilling. The plants seem to be healthy and thriving—cream anthurium.
With some flexible tubing I siphoned the water in the larger planter, flushed the substrate, refilled the reservoir to capacity, and drained it again. The foul smell is gone but mosquitos seem to be breeding in the reservoir.
Do you have suggestions for preventing / managing water quality and getting rid of unwanted insects?
Dear Airy,
I have the large two-plant Airy, and the round single plant Airy. The water is both reservoirs smell quite foul. Our watering practice is to allow the meter to drop to the bottom reading before refilling. The plants seem to be healthy and thriving—cream anthurium.
With some flexible tubing I siphoned the water in the larger planter, flushed the substrate, refilled the reservoir to capacity, and drained it again. The foul smell is gone but mosquitos seem to be breeding in the reservoir.
Do you have suggestions for preventing / managing water quality and getting rid of unwanted insects?