What Are Nanobubbles? The Tiny Tech

Nanobubbles in Hydroponics: Tiny Bubbles, Big Impact

Nanobubbles, they’re not just small—they’re nano. And while they’re invisible to the naked eye, their potential impact on plant health and nutrient delivery is huge.

What Are Nanobubbles?

Nanobubbles are exactly what they sound like: extremely tiny gas bubbles that range from 100 to 200 nanometers in diameter. That’s roughly 2,500 times smaller than a typical bubble you’d see in your nutrient tank.

Unlike microbubbles produced by standard air stones or bubble generators, nanobubbles behave differently:

• They’re invisible.
• They stay suspended in water longer.
• They don’t rise and pop at the surface like traditional bubbles.
• They hold a surface charge that can influence the chemistry around them.

Why Nanobubbles Matter in Hydroponics

Although nanobubbles are naturally present in tap water, they dissipate over time, especially in recirculating systems. This has prompted innovation in nanobubble generator technology for commercial and small-scale growers.

Key benefits of nanobubbles in hydroponics include:

• Increased dissolved oxygen at the root zone.
• Improved nutrient uptake potential (pending more research).
• Reduction of algae and bacterial contamination in nutrient reservoirs.
• Potential support for beneficial microbial growth.

Applications Beyond Plants

Interestingly, nanobubbles are already in use in livestock production, where they help purify drinking water and may even support the microbial balance in cattle rumens—a natural alternative to antibiotics.

The same surface charge that makes them useful in animal systems could have implications for nutrient stability in hydroponic systems. However, researchers are still exploring whether this charge can influence nutrient solubility or uptake—so stay tuned.

Are Nanobubble Generators Available Yet?

The short answer: sort of.

While large-scale nanobubble systems are mostly used by commercial growers, smaller units (sometimes using minerals like feldspar) are on the horizon. These smaller systems are becoming more affordable and may soon be available at your local grow shop.

At a recent vertical farming conference, at least two companies were showcasing nanobubble technologies, signaling a growing trend in controlled environment agriculture.

Final Thoughts

Nanobubbles may be microscopic, but their impact on hydroponic performance could be massive. From improving oxygenation to possibly enhancing nutrient uptake and reducing contamination, they’re a hot topic worth watching.

Article by Dr Russell Sharp

If you would like to keep up to date with subjects just like this, you can listen to both our podcasts! Links can be found bellow:

Hydroponics Daily Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/207T7p7fw9sPjINfSjVXW2

Cereal Killers Podcast: https://t.co/eSEbBkTVHl