Newb Question about DWC, trying to learn new ways to grow everything.

Hey guys,

I am looking into an air pump that can keep a DWC bucket properly oxygenated.

I am looking into this product: EcoPlus Commercial 3566 GPH air pump.

Here are my questions if anyone would be kind enough to help me:

1. How much oxygen is good? Is there a formula?
2. I know the 3566 GPH pump is overkill for one bucket, however if it works and grows better than my outdoor veggies I plan to expand the system- so could a 3566 GPH pump handle more buckets, such as 10 or 20 maybe?)

I know this seems stupid but I just don't know. It's my first time with DWC but I don't want to go buy an air pump at Petco and be all cheap about the most important part of the DWC system. I also want to invest in a pump that is reliable, well built, proven etc because if this DWC fails I have a 500 gallon fish tank that could use a new pump. Win-Win either way. I am just looking for some suggestions from you crazy hydroponics growers that know this stuff like it was given to you at birth by God.

Thank you ahead of time.

That's 225 liters per minute of air total. 5 liters per minute per plant is pretty good.

I stopped growing DWC because of constantly battling root rot, which may not be a problem for you... but in So Cal running a chiller and AC got to be too much for me. I then went to RDWC using water pumps instead of air pumps and had much better luck... plus it was WAAAAY quieter.

Well that is exactly why I want a high powered air pump. I noticed a trend on YouTube where people would use thin plastic containers (leaking light for algae growth) as well as thin lids, 5 gallon fish bowl air pumps from Petco and really bad nutrient.

If I purchase this pump and a couple thick, dark buckets and maintain the water properly I don't think there should be an issue.

Thank you for the answer and the advice!

Don't know if this is a "weed only" forum but I'll post pics of my garden when it's all set up. Unfortunately you can't smoke it

I used that exact air pump in a 16 bucket RDWC system, but I also used a chiller. I insulated my 5 gal buckets and the whole system. Each bucket had 2 large airstones! Massive bubbles and cool water (constant 6. Never saw root rot, don't even know what it looks like. Saw massive white roots though.

That pump is WAY over kill for one bucket. you could oxygenate like 10 with that beast.