To begin, saturate the soil samples with degassed deionized water and prepare the tensiometers for installation. For sensor unit setup, plug the sensor unit assembly into the system connection cords. Release the metal clips, and remove the acrylic top.
Click the data measurement software to open the program, and click the Show devices icon. Click the Refilling wizard icon to open the user interface and navigate to the appropriate sensor unit from the dropdown menu. Select a tensiometer from the beaker.
Ensure there are no visible air bubbles in the shaft, and a convex meniscus of water forms at the top. Add more degassed deionized water with a syringe if there is no convex meniscus. Then, move the black O-ring on the tensiometer to the center of the threads.
Invert the tensiometer into the standing water on the sensor unit, while keeping the convex meniscus intact. Install the short tensiometer in the port indicated with a short line, and the tall tensiometer in the port with a long line. Carefully screw the tensiometer into the port while observing the pressure readings on the Current readings tab.
Next, place a silicon bulb filled with degassed deionized water on the top of the tensiometer to prevent the tip from desiccating during installation.
