Recommended GPM/LPM for air pump?

I'm setting up a soon to be my first 3 bucket DWC grow and I am testing out my air pumps to make sure they're right, and they seem to be a little weak.

I have one 3 watt pump per bucket and a decently sized air stone (about a 2" by 3" air cylinder) my friend recommended to me at the local hydro shop. I read up on the specs for it, and it said it's about 3LPM.

I was researching the EcoPlus commercial airpump (the ~$50 model) and it says it puts out about 600gph.

Would the change be really that noticeable?

i use one watt a gallon for my pumps. I am happy with them. I have a 20 watt and a 35 watt. I buy the metal comercial ones on eBay for 50 bucks or so. I bought the 35 watt one cheap from a chinese place instead of a hydro shop for 10 dollars more and I would not do that again as it gets pretty hot and maybe it is low quality. Also buy one that comes with a good metal manifold you can switch on and off. Wattage is what you want, Ebay is the way to go. 54 dollars is the average.

I picked up a Sunleave's 35 watt one, I must say I am VERY impressed. Any air stone recommendations anyone?

i am just using 6 inch ones from fish stores. I tried small ones and limewood models and discs. The six inch in case quantity or whatever you can grab, i clean out the shelf for 15 bucks works best. They get dirty fast and clogged. Also for the 35 watt I noticed that one big air stone or two wont give you the full affect. Keep piling thoe suckers on. I use a 35 watt for 3-5 or even just a one, hehe, and love the results. At least one watt a gallon. Make sure you dont get a clogged stone. I got a clog and did not check and I lost a plant.

http://cheaphydroponics.com/store/view-all/sunleaves-durapump-air-950gph/prod_500.html 950gph for $35, mines 6 months old and still going strong

good setup- 1 watt per gallon of water

better setup 1+ watt a gallon and so on and so on

but yes the more air the better. Would YOU notice a significant difference I would say no but the plant definitely will

Heisenberg said:

http://cheaphydroponics.com/store/view-all/sunleaves-durapump-air-950gph/prod_500.html 950gph for $35, mines 6 months old and still going strong

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Yup! This is the one I have. Right now I have 3 "medium" EcoPlus airstones, I plan on doubling up on those though, so in total I shall have 6 air stones. That will put each airstone at 2.6 gallons of air per minute with 2.3 watts per gallon . Sounds pretty good to me!

I am germing seeds right now as I type and plan to put all this into action in ~1-2 weeks, I just have a few problems on controlling sound. I was planning on building a housing for the air pump, but not sure how to go about doing it...

How hot does yours usually run Heisenberg? Like say If I placed it in a shoe box with some sound absorbing cloths would it overheat do you think it would be alright?

tea tree said:

i am just using 6 inch ones from fish stores. I tried small ones and limewood models and discs. The six inch in case quantity or whatever you can grab, i clean out the shelf for 15 bucks works best. They get dirty fast and clogged. Also for the 35 watt I noticed that one big air stone or two wont give you the full affect. Keep piling thoe suckers on. I use a 35 watt for 3-5 or even just a one, hehe, and love the results. At least one watt a gallon. Make sure you dont get a clogged stone. I got a clog and did not check and I lost a plant.

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I have the EcoPlus air stones. The guy suggested them to me at my hydro shop because they are made out of limestone which he said is less susceptible to decomposing like the blue aquarium ones, so HOPEFULLY, I won't have this problem.

The best one I found after trying many are these 5" round and flat disc like airstones. Been using same ones for about 2yrs and they doing fine. Just scrub the stones a toothbrush then soak it in vinegar for 10 mins after each grow. They are perfect for 5g buckets grows.

Wudaheo said:

The best one I found after trying many are these 5" round and flat disc like airstones. Been using same ones for about 2yrs and they doing fine. Just scrub the stones a toothbrush then soak it in vinegar for 10 mins after each grow. They are perfect for 5g buckets grows.

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Are these the ones you are referring to?

yep those kind!