DWC air pump options, need some quick help.

I currently want to do 2-4 5gal bucket dwc systems.
I have a Active Air 4 outlet 15LPM air pump read on the faq that 3.5L per pot is what you want as a min for a 5gal.
It seems like this might just cut it for four units.

Will this work for 4 buckets with roughly 4-3.5 gals of water per unit?
I was hoping i could push this to 6 units, but i might use the extra as water changing buckets and stay at 4.

I have the option to get a 18watt 38LPM air pump for 65 dollars, but am hoping what i have can cut it.
It might be loud too, one of the metal piston based pumps. '


So what i have, will it work?

Man Actually more oxygen means better plants, but in my system I'm using a cheap air pump just for the reservoir and it is working!! I paid less than 20 bucks for the pump
Are you planing put oxygen in all buckets?

I see one guy here on the forum he does not use any kind of air pump in his system and work well but I don't now I still prefer put some air on the reservoir to keep the water moving over there!!

See ya

15 lpm to 16 gallons
1:1 ratio imo.. will be fine
if you continue with dwc you might want to bump it up to 2:1 lpm/gallon

The buckets were going to be interconnected, but then i factored in different strains and ppm levels for each strain.
Going to keep them self sealed buckets, and run air into each one. KISS method of keeping it simple.

So you said some dude doesnt use an airpump? So does he just run water pumps? Because I could easily get 4-6 10 dollar water pumps
to put in each bucket to 'move' the water around, do his pumps inject o2?

@Undercurrentdwc

What is the difference between 1:1 o2 ratio vs 2:1 will it give me twice the plant? Less room for root rot, and other problems?
Put it this way, if its VITAL to get amazing yield/plants with >1:1 ratio then i'll go get the 18watt unit and run it
for 3:1 o2 ratio.

• So you said some dude doesnt use an airpump? So does he just run water pumps? Because I could easily get 4-6 10 dollar water pumps
  to put in each bucket to 'move' the water around, do his pumps inject o2?​
  
  
  
  

Click to expand...

Yeah man you must use a water pump to make the water run, Actually like a fountain when you circulate the water like that brings O2 for the water too man
In your case just buy a good air pump and use some connectors to use only 1 pump for all your buckets!!


See ya

CanadianEh said:

So you said some dude doesnt use an airpump? So does he just run water pumps? Because I could easily get 4-6 10 dollar water pumps
to put in each bucket to 'move' the water around, do his pumps inject o2?

Click to expand...

Yes this round I'm just running water pumps to each grow site letting the water fall into the bucket to create the d.o. , yes.. you could put pumps in each bucket to move the water around and achieve max d.o. that way. No.. my pumps do not inject O2 they just circulate the water so it comes into contact with air.

CanadianEh said:

@Undercurrentdwc

What is the difference between 1:1 o2 ratio vs 2:1 will it give me twice the plant? Less room for root rot, and other problems?
Put it this way, if its VITAL to get amazing yield/plants with >1:1 ratio then i'll go get the 18watt unit and run it
for 3:1 o2 ratio.

Click to expand...

First I would diffuse whatever air I provide with as much surface area as possible( I.e a 8" round diffuser will provide more bubble contact with roots than a 2"x2" diffuser will)
I've found the more air I give to my roots the faster and denser they grow, I found myself crowding my 10 gallon bucket when using a 3:1 ratio

Consider that a small pump works for a 10 gal fish tank. High bubbling just feeds the roots with splash from popping bubbles more, but I can't handle the noise either. I just go with one of those cheap two outlet pumps and air stones per two, 5 gal buckets. I keep the water level about an inch down from the pots so the roots get a bit of air.

CanadianEh said:

I currently want to do 2-4 5gal bucket dwc systems.
I have a Active Air 4 outlet 15LPM air pump read on the faq that 3.5L per pot is what you want as a min for a 5gal.
It seems like this might just cut it for four units.

Will this work for 4 buckets with roughly 4-3.5 gals of water per unit?
I was hoping i could push this to 6 units, but i might use the extra as water changing buckets and stay at 4.

I have the option to get a 18watt 38LPM air pump for 65 dollars, but am hoping what i have can cut it.
It might be loud too, one of the metal piston based pumps. '


So what i have, will it work?

Click to expand...

Hello canadian.....

I run a six bucket DWC....I use two air pumps, I will post a pic...the pump for my air stones is a #5 it has eight air lines....and my drip rings use a #3 with 6 air lines...these's two pumps are a good match for doing 6 buckets.....hope this helps.....nitro...