Quick Question

OK...I'm feeling a bit dumb but here's the question. I grew hydroponically four or five years ago and then went silent. I'm thinking about another run. I use a 14 hole tray with nutes that constantly circulate between two basins. A sort of Sea of Green, I guess.

I used about six airstones in my set up and in uncovering my grow equipment, I see that several of the plastic lines connecting the airstones to the air pump have valves. What I don't remember is: a) whether the valves are necessary and 2) if so, do the valves' tapered ends point toward the reservoir or the pump? Sheesh, I know. Also, as long as I have your attention, am I correct in the assumption that reusing them would not be problematic?

I know you're new here, and I should take it easy on you, but are you really asking what direction the air flows in the tubes?

Uhhh, the valves should be turned ON, so the air flows through.

HTH

thanks potroast for going easy on me...appreciate yr help. No defense other than uncovering these tubes and seeing these valves and going "wtf, shit, which way do they go?" - having totally forgotten that these valves existed in the first place. Other than that, I throw myself on the mercy of the court.

The valves can go either way. They are not necessary but it does make it easy to fine tune your airstones.

As far as re-using airstones : If they are the cheap blue one like the pet store sells then I would replace each grow. Just because they break pretty easy.

thanks, sOhigh!