What was measured
The grower, a commercial controlled-environment operation growing spinach in deep water culture, wanted tighter control of dissolved oxygen (DO) and a stable oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) in its 10,000-gallon ponds — to lower the risk of pond crashes, keep the ponds cleaner and hold production steady.
- Setting. The KST system controlling DO and ORP on the grower’s existing pond irrigation.
- Comparison. The grower’s own operation before and during the trial. No side-by-side control pond is recorded.
- Protocol. A structured customer feedback form — ratings and reported outcomes — with no other changes to the grow during the multi-cycle trial.
- Duration. 2023–2024, multiple cycles, with the system in daily use.
Results
- Dissolved oxygen held at 15 ppm · Customer-reported
Across the 10,000-gallon ponds, as reported by the grower. - Stable ORP and ponds the grower describes as clean · Customer-reported
The grower credits the stable ORP for pond cleanliness and consistent production. - No pond crashes and no production loss over the trial · Customer-reported
Reported for this trial period at this grower — an observation, not a guarantee. - Feedback-form ratings · Customer-reported
Ease of installation: very good. Documentation: good. Overall reliability and performance: excellent. Ease of use 8/10, value for money 9/10, likelihood to recommend 9/10. Product support rated positively; against competing systems, comparable performance with stronger technical support, in the grower’s view.
The grower also asked for two improvements: a larger control screen, and remote access through an app.
What this does not show
- Everything here is the customer’s report, through a feedback form. Kairospace did not take these readings.
- No control pond ran alongside, so the absence of pond crashes has no measured delta behind it.
- It records operating stability — DO, ORP, no crashes reported — not a yield or growth figure for the spinach.
- One grower, one crop. Dissolved oxygen supports a pond sanitation program; it does not replace one.
In the customer’s words
“Avoided pond crashes with leafy greens — sustained DO at 15 ppm, and sustained ORP kept our 10k gal ponds clean with no loss in production.”
Glossary
Deep water culture (DWC)
A hydroponic method in which plant roots hang directly in a reservoir or pond of oxygenated nutrient solution. It suits leafy greens such as lettuce, spinach and herbs; dissolved oxygen and pH are the variables it depends on most.
Dissolved oxygen
The oxygen dissolved in the water or nutrient solution, in mg/L or ppm. It governs root respiration and nutrient uptake, and low levels leave roots open to stress and root disease.
Oxidation-reduction potential (ORP)
A reading, in millivolts, of the water’s oxidizing capacity. Growers track it as an indicator of how well the solution is holding down microbial activity — a monitoring signal for a sanitation program, not a replacement for one.
