Hey there, fellow Oxygen Not Included (ONI) enthusiasts! Ever feel like your base is constantly battling the elements? One of the biggest challenges in ONI is managing gases and preventing unwanted ones from infiltrating your carefully constructed habitats. That's where the water airlock comes in. It's a game-changer, acting as a barrier between different atmospheres while still allowing your dupes to pass through. This guide will walk you through, step-by-step, how to build a super effective water airlock in Oxygen Not Included. Let's get started, guys!

Understanding the Basics: Why a Water Airlock?

So, why bother with a water airlock in the first place? Well, imagine your base as a cozy apartment complex. You don't want the polluted oxygen from the polluted biome to seep into your living spaces, right? That's what a water airlock does. It's a simple, yet ingenious, mechanism that uses water to create a seal, preventing gases from mixing. This is super important for:

• Maintaining breathable atmosphere: Keep that precious oxygen inside, and the nasty gases like carbon dioxide and chlorine out. Think of it as a bouncer at a club, only letting the good stuff in.
• Temperature control: Water can help regulate temperatures, absorbing and dissipating heat. It's like having your own personal climate control system.
• Preventing contamination: Stop polluted water and other harmful substances from spreading throughout your base. Nobody wants a contaminated water supply!
• Aesthetic appeal: Okay, maybe not the primary reason, but a well-designed water airlock can look pretty cool, especially when you're flexing your base-building skills.

Before you start, make sure you've got some resources. You'll need:

• Building materials: Primarily refined metal for the doors and pipes. You can also use other materials but this is the most common.
• Water: Obviously! You'll need a decent amount of water to fill the airlock. Clean water is preferable, but polluted water will work in a pinch. Keep in mind that polluted water will emit polluted oxygen, which is something you might want to avoid. The amount of water you will need will depend on your design, but more on this later.
• Pipes: To automate the water flow. This way you can drain the water if needed, without having to manually do it, which is boring.

The Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Water Airlock

Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty and build that water airlock. Here's a straightforward guide to help you get it done:

1. Plan your layout: The most basic water airlock consists of two doors, separated by a space that will be filled with water. Consider the size and shape of your airlock. The most common is a 1-tile wide, 4-tile high space. This is a good balance between effectiveness and resource use. You can adjust the size depending on your needs. For example, if you want to transport large amounts of resources using a conveyor, then you need a bigger airlock.

2. Build the doors: Place the doors at each end of your chosen space. Make sure they are oriented in the right direction. The doors need to be airtight to work effectively. Make sure to choose the correct material for the door too, as you might need something that withstands higher pressures and temperatures.

3. Construct the water basin: Build a 1-tile wide, 4-tile high (or whatever height you chose) space between the doors. This is where the water will sit. You can build it out of any material, but it's often easiest to use the same material as the walls around your airlock.

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4. Add the water: Fill the space between the doors with water. Aim for a depth that's high enough to submerge a dupe fully. A good starting point is to fill the entire space with water. The water acts as the seal, preventing gases from passing through. Remember that you can fill with any type of water, but cleaner water will be less problematic in the long run.

5. Automate (Optional, but highly recommended): Adding automation will make your life much easier, so you do not have to manually remove the water every time a dupe uses the airlock. Connect a liquid sensor to the airlock, set to activate when there's water present. Then, connect this sensor to a liquid pump and a liquid shutoff. This setup will automatically drain the water when a dupe opens the door and refill it when they pass through. This will take a little bit of time to get used to, but once you set it up, you can do other things while the system is working.

6. Test and refine: Test your airlock by opening and closing the doors and watching the gases. If everything works as planned, gases from one side shouldn't be able to mix with gases on the other side. You may need to adjust the water level to get the perfect seal. Remember that there are gases that can go through water, so keep in mind the type of gas you have around and how it might impact the efficiency of your airlock.

Advanced Techniques and Optimizations

Once you've mastered the basics, you can start experimenting with more advanced techniques and optimizations. Here are some tips and tricks to take your water airlocks to the next level:

• Automated Drainage: Use liquid sensors, pumps, and shutoffs to automate the draining and refilling process. This saves time and ensures the airlock is always ready.
• Temperature Control: Use the water in your airlock to regulate temperatures. If you have hot gases on one side, you can use the water to absorb some of that heat. Or, if the opposite is true, you can use cold water to do so.
• Multiple Airlocks: For high-traffic areas, consider building multiple airlocks in a row to speed up the process. This may seem like a waste, but it can be beneficial in certain situations, especially when dupes are trying to get to a specific place.
• Material Selection: Choose your building materials carefully. For example, use insulated tiles around your airlock to prevent heat transfer.
• Airflow Management: Position vents strategically to ensure proper airflow and prevent gas buildup in your base. Keep in mind that some gases can have bad effects on your dupes, so it is important to build the airlocks with the right materials.
• Automation Logic: Get creative with your automation setup. Use timers to control when the airlock drains and refills, or use logic gates to create more complex interactions.
• Aesthetics: Don't forget to make your base look good. Use different tiles, lights, and decorations to enhance your airlock's appearance.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with the best planning, things can go wrong. Here's how to troubleshoot some common water airlock problems:

• Gases leaking through: This usually means the water level isn't high enough or the doors aren't airtight. Check your build, water level, and door materials.
• Dupes getting stuck: Ensure your dupes have enough room to move through the airlock. If they're getting stuck, adjust the design or add more space.
• Water evaporation: If your water is evaporating, check for heat sources and consider using a sealed environment to trap the water vapor. If the water is hot, it will tend to evaporate faster.
• Automation issues: Double-check your wiring and settings on your sensors, pumps, and shutoffs. Sometimes, the smallest error can cause the system to malfunction.
• Water contamination: If you're using polluted water, consider filtering it before using it in the airlock. Also, check to see if the contaminants are coming from the airlock itself.

Final Thoughts: Mastering the Water Airlock

Congratulations, you've taken the first step toward creating an awesome water airlock! Building a water airlock in Oxygen Not Included is a fundamental skill that will protect your base and make your life easier. Keep experimenting, refining your designs, and adapting to the challenges the game throws your way.

Remember, guys, the water airlock is a powerful tool. By understanding the basics, experimenting with advanced techniques, and troubleshooting any issues, you can create a base that's not only functional but also efficient and stylish. Keep building, keep experimenting, and most importantly, keep having fun! Now go forth and conquer the depths of ONI! Have fun building your base!