Need air pump advice

Med4us

Member
Hey everyone, I know this topic pops up a lot but I'm hoping to get a little more info then I've found in all the other threads I've looked over. I'm planning on running a 4 bucket drip/DWC set up under a scrog. I have 5 ga buckets and the 411 farmkits installed on my 10"net pot lids for drip. What I haven't decided on yet is which air pump I want. I have it narrowed down to 2 options and I'am hoping to get some advice from people who've tried them both.
First option is 2 of these active Aqua 15l 4 ports http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002JPEVMC/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?qid=1440178702&sr=8-6&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&keywords=active+aqua&dpPl=1&dpID=41+AG3UDFIL&ref=plSrch
One to run all 4 drips and a second to run an air stone in each bucket, that way if one pump fails I still have air to all the buckets. However I'm not sure that this is strong enough if I follow the 1watt/ga that seems to be the magic number in most threads.

Option #2 is to use this 70l commercial pump with 8 ports to run both the drips and air stones, however I worry about heat and potential failure.http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002JPM91W?vs=1
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 

Vumar

Well-Known Member
I have both, I have 2-3 of the aquarium 2-4 outlet pumps as well as 2 commercial air pumps (8 outlet and a 10 outlet). If you don't mind vibration/noise or you are dedicated and safe enough with your grow that noise isnt too much of an issue than run the commercial pumps. You can also youtube different boxes or hanging methods people have used to reduce the vibration. People that run the other pumps generally are on budget, need quieter/less vibration pumps, or just don't need a high Dissolved Oxygen rate in that specific unit. For example... I run little/smaller air pumps till my plants hit the RDWC. Then a large amount of tiny air bubbles will be what you need and that is what you will get from the larger commercial pumps. Large cylinder stones are what I use because they are cheap and provide small enough bubbles to keep a high Dissolved Oxygen rate. I don't believe in the micro-diffusers honestly. Just too expensive and seem a little over-kill and overrated for what they say they "do".

The cheap 4" walmart mini-desk fans are enough to keep the large commercial air pumps cool. I just stick my fan real close to the cooling fins on the air pump and she's been running for 4 years now. I think it's time for a replacement now though after 4+years of it. MY PERSONAL OPINION - don't need drippers at all. If you use it as a recirculating method than switch to water-fall (again IMO and just constructive criticism/brainstorming). Water-fall won't fail you and if heat becomes an issue than just run the pump 15 minutes on then 15 minutes off. This can and will help to break the constant heat coming off the water pump.
 

Med4us

Member
Awesome thanks for the reply Vumar! I ended up buying the 4 outlet active Aqua for running my drippers while the plants are small, may end up investing in a commercial pump to run the air stones that will keep everything moving once after I stop the drippers. I'm not too concerned about noise as everything is legal and hidden from prying neighbours. I will have to research the water fall method as I'm unfamiliar with it. This will be my first hydro grow so I'm sure over time I'll be tweaking things to find a method that works for me. I thought there was a way I could use the air pumps to lift my fluid up into a reservoir then have gravity pushing it back down another tube to keep the fluid circulating through all the buckets so I don't have to ph each bucket, just haven't fully figured that one out yet.
 

djlucidd

Member
I use a unit from o2grow.com
The science behind It is amazing. Same way there separating hydrogen from oxygen with electrolysis for hydrogen cars with water. Been using it two grows so far so good no noise at all no heat only downside is there price. Setting up to do a side by side with a strain I'm familiar with to see if it has any benifits . If not I'm falling back on my small commercial pump I have had for 3 years not really loud and bulletproof
 

redi jedi

Well-Known Member
I use a unit from o2grow.com
The science behind It is amazing. Same way there separating hydrogen from oxygen with electrolysis for hydrogen cars with water. Been using it two grows so far so good no noise at all no heat only downside is there price. Setting up to do a side by side with a strain I'm familiar with to see if it has any benifits . If not I'm falling back on my small commercial pump I have had for 3 years not really loud and bulletproof
What happens to the hydrogen these things create? I see a burning zepplin? maybe I'm just high...
 
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