Hey there, fellow Oxygen Not Included (ONI) enthusiasts! Ever feel like your base is constantly battling the elements? Gas leaking everywhere, germs running rampant? Well, one of the best ways to combat these issues is by constructing a water airlock. In this guide, we'll dive deep into how to make a water airlock in Oxygen Not Included, explaining everything you need to know, from the basic principles to the best practices for optimal results. Let's get started!

Understanding the Basics: Why a Water Airlock Matters

Before we jump into the construction, let's chat about why a water airlock is so crucial in Oxygen Not Included. Think of it as a barrier, a security guard, if you will, that prevents unwanted gases, germs, and even radiation from entering or escaping your carefully crafted base. Traditional airlocks using doors can be inefficient. They allow gas exchange whenever the doors open and close, leading to a constant balancing act of pressure and temperature. Water airlocks, on the other hand, offer a far more effective seal. They utilize a pool of liquid (usually water, hence the name) to create a barrier that gases and germs find almost impossible to penetrate. This makes your base a safer and more manageable environment.

Water airlocks are particularly useful for:

• Preventing Gas Leaks: Keeps unwanted gases like Chlorine or Carbon Dioxide from polluting your breathable oxygen supply.
• Germ Control: Stops germs from spreading throughout your base. This is especially important for food storage and sanitation areas.
• Radiation Blocking: Protects your dupes from harmful radiation in certain environments.
• Pressure Management: Helps maintain the desired pressure within your base, which can be critical for certain machinery and processes.

By building water airlocks, you're not just creating a base; you're building a fortress. This is especially true on maps that contain a lot of different gas and germs, or maps with radiation. This makes the base easier to manage and less resource-intensive. Getting this set up early will benefit you in the long run, and the more you learn the easier it gets. So let's get into the specifics of building one!

Materials and Setup: What You'll Need

Alright, guys, let's gather our supplies. Building a water airlock in Oxygen Not Included is relatively straightforward, but you'll need a few key elements. Here's a checklist of what you'll need:

• Building Materials: You'll want to use materials that are easily available in the early game. Usually, this means building the structure out of tiles. These are the basic building blocks of your airlock. These can be made of various materials, but for simplicity, let's assume we're using materials easily found, like granite or sedimentary rock. Make sure you have enough to create the walls and floor of your airlock.
• Liquid: Water, of course! You'll need a good supply of water to fill the airlock and create the seal. The amount of water you need depends on the size of your airlock, but generally, a small pool will suffice. Water is the most common and often the best choice due to its availability and non-reactivity with most gases found in the game.
• Doors (Optional, but Recommended): While a water airlock creates a seal, adding doors at either end can further enhance its effectiveness. This will help you manage the flow of dupes and materials more efficiently.
• Pipes and Automation (Advanced): For more complex airlock designs, you might consider adding automation elements, such as liquid sensors and pumps, to manage the water level automatically. This is less important when you are first starting to set these up.

Once you have these materials, you're ready to start constructing your airlock. The basic design is simple, but the details matter. Taking your time here will save a lot of headaches later. Getting the shape correct is essential for the airlock's functionality, so don't rush this process. Having a general idea of how you want it to look will also help you save time in the long run. Now, let's look at the actual building process.

Step-by-Step Guide: Building Your Water Airlock

Here's how to build a basic, yet highly effective, water airlock in Oxygen Not Included:

1. Dig Out the Structure: Start by digging out a 3x1 or 3x2 (or larger, depending on your needs) space. This will be the main chamber of your airlock. The size of the airlock will depend on what you need to move through. You can experiment with bigger sizes, but keeping it small is helpful.
2. Build the Walls: Construct walls around the excavated space using your chosen building material. Ensure that the walls are completely sealed to prevent any gas leaks. The walls should be at least two tiles high to contain the water effectively. Building them out of tiles is best since it is available at the start of the game.
3. Create the Water Basin: On the bottom, build one tile lower. This creates a basin where your water will sit. This creates a lower area on the floor of the airlock to hold your water. This will be the barrier that gases and germs will not be able to penetrate. The depth of the basin doesn't need to be significant, just enough to submerge the lower portion of any dupes walking through.
4. Add Water: Now, carefully pour in the water. You want the water level to be high enough to create a complete seal, but not so high that it floods the surrounding areas. The water should fill the basin, creating a continuous barrier. Test by having a dupe enter the airlock. If the water doesn't reach the top of their feet, add more water. If the water spills onto the other side, then you have too much.
5. Optional: Add Doors: Place doors on either side of the airlock. This isn't strictly necessary for the airlock to function, but it can improve efficiency. The doors will prevent the water from flowing out while dupes or materials move in and out.
6. Test and Refine: Once your airlock is built, test it! Have a dupe walk through it to ensure that the water seal is working. Check for any gas leaks or unwanted gas exchange. Adjust the water level if needed. You will have to repeat the process with the doors on both sides. This ensures that when the doors open, no gas or germs enter your base.

And that's it! You've successfully built a basic water airlock. You can now use this to protect your base from harmful elements. After setting it up, you can start setting up more throughout your base.

Advanced Techniques and Design Considerations

Once you've mastered the basics, you can experiment with more advanced water airlock designs. Here are a few things to consider:

• Automation: Add liquid sensors and pumps to automate the water level. This prevents overfilling and makes maintenance easier. Automation can improve the effectiveness of the airlock. It's a game-changer if you want to eliminate having to babysit the airlock. With this method, you can keep the airlock running smoothly without constantly checking it.
• Multiple Airlocks: For high-traffic areas, consider using two or more airlocks in a row. This provides an extra layer of protection and allows you to clean up any water that may have leaked.
• Material Choice: Experiment with different building materials. Some materials have better thermal properties or are more resistant to certain gases.
• Size and Shape: The size and shape of your airlock can affect its efficiency. Consider the size of the items or dupes passing through and design accordingly.
• Airflow: Consider the airflow through your base. Make sure your airlock doesn't disrupt any established ventilation systems.

These advanced techniques can take some trial and error, so don't be afraid to experiment. With a little bit of planning, you can create a super-efficient and safe base for your dupes. Always think about how you can improve your base design to optimize it for long-term survival.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes things don't go as planned, guys! Here are some common issues you might encounter and how to fix them:

• Gas Leaks: If you're experiencing gas leaks, double-check that your walls are completely sealed and that your water level is correct. Ensure that the doors are closed when not in use.
• Germ Spread: If germs are still spreading, ensure that the water is clean and that there are no gaps in the seal. Consider using multiple airlocks to further reduce the risk.
• Flooding: If your airlock is flooding, it's likely that the water level is too high or that the basin isn't deep enough. Adjust the water level or the basin depth as needed.
• Dupe Pathfinding Issues: Sometimes, dupes may have trouble pathing through water airlocks. Make sure the water isn't too deep and that there are no obstructions. Consider using a single tile of water or a bridge to make the path easier.
• Water Evaporation: While water doesn't usually evaporate quickly, in extreme heat, some water may evaporate. You can mitigate this by building insulated tiles around the airlock or by using a liquid sensor and a pump to maintain the water level.

These issues are usually resolved by small adjustments. Take your time to assess the situation and fix any problems as needed.

Conclusion: Mastering the Water Airlock in ONI

Congratulations! You've successfully built a water airlock and are now well on your way to creating a safe and efficient base in Oxygen Not Included. Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you build and experiment, the better you'll become at designing and optimizing your airlocks.

Here are the key takeaways:

• Water airlocks are essential for preventing gas leaks, controlling germs, and managing pressure.
• Build a sealed structure with a water basin and add water to create the seal.
• Add doors to improve efficiency.
• Experiment with advanced techniques like automation and multiple airlocks.
• Troubleshoot any issues by checking for leaks, contamination, and proper water levels.

Happy building, and may your dupes thrive! Now go forth and conquer the challenges of Oxygen Not Included! With a little bit of practice, you'll be building water airlocks like a pro in no time.