Best Air Stone/Diffuser

ak.fortyseven

Well-Known Member
I'm switching to bubble buckets, what is the best air stone to use, or are the rope style better? I have an eco-air 2 pump, output 4.5 l/m per nozzle (2). I have grown hydro drip for a few years, i just used the cheap airstones for my resovoir. I was thing about trying the rope style: http://cgi.ebay.com/Active-Air-4-ft-feet-Flexible-Air-Diffuser-Airstone_W0QQitemZ200417955886QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2ea9d7502e
Hook one nozzle to each end of the diffuser, i bet that would male plenty of bubbles! Any of you experienced bubblers ever try the rope style?
 

GrowingfortheGold

New Member
I just picked up a few of these...

http://www.hydroponics.net/i/134030

...from the hydro shop. The 4" are perfect for a bucket. I would recommend purchasing a T connector and running both outlets into one larger airstone. I've found it's the best method for the Eco Plus 2's.

I just bought 2 of those from my hydro store in SF aswell! These are good because not only do they aerate but they circulate. I have a photo in my grow journal (sig) of my reservoir (55 Gallon) with 2 of those in it. I don't know if they would provide enough splash for DWC though.
 

ak.fortyseven

Well-Known Member
I just picked up a few of these...

http://www.hydroponics.net/i/134030

...from the hydro shop. The 4" are perfect for a bucket. I would recommend purchasing a T connector and running both outlets into one larger airstone. I've found it's the best method for the Eco Plus 2's.
Hey poo, thanks for the input. I'm setting up my first bubble bucket grow after growing hydro drip in rockwool for some years. I just use the cheap walmart special air stones then. I like the looks of the disc, do you use 1 or 2 in 4" disc per bucket? +rep
 

Sexxxy Beast

Active Member
I am using 4 18in air curtains, at first they only have big bubbles, but in a few days the pores shrink or something and they produce alot of tiny bubbles like opening a bottle of soda.
 

Trunk5

Well-Known Member
i use flexible air stones as they curl around the bottom of the bucket and everything bubbles evenly.
 

Sexxxy Beast

Active Member
Hey Sexxxy thanks for your input, the bubble curtains look sweet. What kind of pump do you use, and how many curtains do you run off one pump?
Any two outlet pump dedicated to 4 curtains. I have a 60gal pump (means that the air pump is for 60 gallon aquariums). One line can run 2 air curtains, anymore and it doesnt feed them enough.

Always glue your rods down, the suction cups never stick to plastic as plastic bends and lets air in. You can try anchoring the rods down but if you stir the water they move. Best to glue them with a 2 part epoxy and done!
 

ak.fortyseven

Well-Known Member
I've decided to use a 36" flexible rope diffuser with one outlet on either end from my eco2 air pump. A soon as it gets here i'll post a pic of some bubbles.
 

roll420

Well-Known Member
Do you have any pics of this setup with water bubblin??

I am using 4 18in air curtains, at first they only have big bubbles, but in a few days the pores shrink or something and they produce alot of tiny bubbles like opening a bottle of soda.
 

SickSadLittleWorld

Well-Known Member
Do you have any pics of this setup with water bubblin??
Damn, I was going to ask the same question when I re-read over the thread just now. I was looking at these in Walmart today and they are pretty spendy. But if they can make smaller bubbles than my 4" oxystones, I'd shell out the cash.

Oh, and do the bubbles come out consistently throughout the length of the "airstone"?
 

roll420

Well-Known Member
I just upgraded my air pump....had 2 300gpm pumps from pet-co for $80 a piece......and yea this pump here: http://www.wormsway.com/detail.aspx?t=prod&sku=SDA540&AC=1 for only $50 blows the pet-co ones away!!!! Way mor bubbles and Its quiet also......it really moves the water around and produces lots of bubbly......now im looking to try different air stones.....im using 2 6'' round stones per 10gal container right now.....they work good...
but im sure theres always better!!!
 

devastation

Active Member
air curtains are great for short term, but i would replace them after each grow as they WILL clog.

you best bet is getting ceramic air diffuser, they are the white ones. they never clog and give u nice small bubbles. they come in any size from very small half an inch ones, to VERY large ones that are 18 inches long and 1 inch thick.

your local hydro store should carry them if the store is any good.

hope that helped
 
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