Is aeration necessary when top feeding 6" cubes?

I've been looking around for a definitive answer whether or not it's necessary to aerate my water/nutrient solution. I'm pretty certain it would be better, but is it necessary? Any advice would be appreciated and thanks in advance!
 

Taviddude

Well-Known Member
Keep the solution from going stagnant and turning nasty.

Guess it depends on how exactly your system is set up, but a cheap aquarium pump with a stone is cheap.

I'd never leave a nutrient solution without air myself.
 
I mix the RO'd water and nutes fresh every time I feed/water them, 1 gallon at a time... Sorry I didn't clarify before. I'm definitely going to set up a 5 gallon bucket aeration system, but I haven't yet and was wondering if I was potentially harming my plants. What size air pump would you suggest for a single line 5 gallon bucket? I was planning on getting the Tetra Whisper 40 with a 4" air stone, check valve and those air line holders with a suction cup.
 

zem

Well-Known Member
keep your ferts in a closed container and shake it before use. if very long time storage like a big res, use h2o2. it is not necessary to have an airstone in a res top feeding, you just need to keep it clean. you can have a nasty res with aorstone running too.
 
I appreciate the info ZEM! I went ahead and setup the aeration system anyways, even though I'm pretty certain it's not necessary for my setup... I spent $50 total, which isn't too bad. Even if only settles my apprehension about not having the system in place, it,s worth it. I ended up getting the Tetra Whisper 60, it was only a few bucks more than the 40 and got 2 air stones, 1 4" round and a 1"X5" one. They are definitely doing there job! If anyone out there has any questions about airstones and air pumps, this link will take you to a very informative video on the matter... The narrator is pretty annoying though and the videos rather long, but most of the important info is in the beginning. Very basic shit, but it's nice to have a little knowledge before trying it yourself. IMO
 

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