Air stones?

Diesel0889

Diesel0889

Well-Known Member
Hey guys I have a 20 quart res with my small set up. Wanted to ditch the cheap air stone for a better one. I have found a 4 inch air disk at the local hydro store and was wondering if that would be better than the cheap triangle one. Should I put a t in the line and run 2 for more air. I know 20quart(5 gallons) is not big but just was looking for an opinions as more air is always better right.will a small pump push 2 4" disks? Thanks in advance this is my first small small run in a box this small with hydro..........
 
ghost013

ghost013

Active Member
stick with 1 as 2 will be wasted! I need to get a better set up for mine, just have a little air stone and pump for my 50gal res, course I only fill it half way most of the time but still need an upgrade lol.
 
Flagg420

Flagg420

Well-Known Member
As others have said, 2"x4" cylinder stones...

Those disks suck, I fell for that shit, don't do it...

I rock a pair of 2x4's per 5gal bucket now, and I will never go back to anything else, my plants LOVE it....
 
Budley Doright

Budley Doright

Well-Known Member
Has anyone tried the bladder type? Supposedly dont plug up as their always moving. Getting ready to build bubble cloner and looking.
 
ryan s

ryan s

Well-Known Member
You want anywhere from .75 Liters of air Per gallon Per minute to 1.5 LpGpM. You basically would use half the amount of nutrients with 1.5 LpGpM that you would use with .75 LpGpM
 
ryan s

ryan s

Well-Known Member
http://www.amazon.com/Standard-Airline-Tubing-Accessories-25-Feet/dp/B0002563MW/ref=pd_sim_86_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0D1QQJ0NNDRA69JC34BQ&dpSrc=sims&dpST=_AC_UL160_SR160,160_

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-Air-Pump-Outlets-7-8L/dp/B002TCC46U/ref=sr_1_5?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1441239065&sr=1-5&keywords=air+pump

http://www.amazon.com/Jardin-Bubble-2-Piece-Stone-8-Inch/dp/B00DT1XRRU/ref=sr_1_6?s=pet-supplies&rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1441239122&sr=1-6&keywords=air+stone&refinements=p_85:2470955011

http://www.amazon.com/Uxcell-Aquarium-Non-Return-Check-Valves/dp/B00KFV8EIO/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1441239306&sr=1-1&keywords=air+pump+check+valve
 
mandy1

mandy1

Well-Known Member
why use airstones??? they get clogged easily and cause back pressure on your pump, limiting the number of lines you can run and the depth you can keep your airline. i use 5 gallon individual buckets and just attach a small clamp or nut to end of airline to let it sink. my plants actually pull the airline up into the root mass. DSCN0190.JPG
 
mandy1

mandy1

Well-Known Member
ya get more a lot more air volume without a stone than with one. most of the exchange occurs on the water surface anyway although i think roots can take up o2 from the bubbles tthat form on the roots. do my roots look like they're complaining??????????????
 
hotrodharley

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member
Plug the end of the air tube permanently. Use a soldering iron or a red hot paperclip and make holes. Weight the end to keep it on the bottom. Screw air stones. I had too many wrapped up by the roots and made ineffective. I have had zero problems and excellent results doing like I described. It's cheaper and easier. The purpose of the stone is to disperse oxygen in smaller "bubbles". Nothing more.
 
B

Budget Buds

Well-Known Member
Not saying your roots arent thriving, nor that they cannot become clogged with higher ec numbers in the res, but I still run airstones and always will, it's a 4 dollar part and imo pay's for itself time and time again. I run areoponics now and still have a huge pump and airstone in my res just because. and smaller bubbles means more diffusion into the water because there is more surface area in 10k little bubbles then there is in 10 big bubbles. meaning there is more aeration going on with a stone. Whatever works for you guys you should stick with it, I just wanted to get the facts of it out so if someone searches and finds this thread they can see the other side of the bridge too. Good Luck :) BB
 
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