Airstone size?

[Dr.funkenstien]

I finally got my system up to working. I was wondering if airstone size matters? Like I have ano airpump with a 6 splitter and I have a bunch of different size airstones. It seems like if I put the larger ones on they don't work as hard. If I put on one large one and 5 small ones then one or two of the small ones seems not to work as well. I checked for leaks, none. I know I had to weight them down and that did help some. I just feel something is wrong here and it's probably something simple I'm like overlooking it or something. I have an extra pump, should I run that as well? Two stones in each bucket?

 

[Organic Miner]

Not all airstones are equal. You need to test them individually to what they produce. Two stones from the same manufacturer that are the same size may have vast different air flows. You need to find 2 that with the same flow if using a splitter, otherwise one will dominate. I have a container of stones I have graded H, M and L for their flow. I use two of the same in each bucket, usually H-H. It sucks, but not all airstones are created equally.

 

[phillymike]

Also something to keep in mind is the length of tubing...if you're running off a splitter you typically want equal lengths of tube running to each stone. That being said if you have some under performing stones you can place them on a shorter length of tube to increase the pressure to that particular stone. You may also try placing your stones in boiling water for a couple minutes to see if that clears out the way. Hope that helps.

 

[Dr.funkenstien]

Also something to keep in mind is the length of tubing...if you're running off a splitter you typically want equal lengths of tube running to each stone. That being said if you have some under performing stones you can place them on a shorter length of tube to increase the pressure to that particular stone. You may also try placing your stones in boiling water for a couple minutes to see if that clears out the way. Hope that helps.

Thanks, that might help cause the tubing is different. I got one that is ridiculous now that I think about it. I had gotten 10 stones from somewhere so those are brand new. I do have some other larger ones though that could probably use it. I was told when they get old to just chuck em.

 

[phillymike]

You could throw them out if you choose. Personally, I would boil them and blow some air through. Unless they are all falling apart that is. Good luck.

 

[Dr.funkenstien]

You could throw them out if you choose. Personally, I would boil them and blow some air through. Unless they are all falling apart that is. Good luck.

Yeah I'm not one that likes to throw money away, thanks for the tip, I'm gonna try and salvage these. I just had an old couch, I tore it apart and went up to the dollar store got a shower curtain and made a little greenhouse. I will recycle shit.

 

[Dr.funkenstien]

Not all airstones are equal. You need to test them individually to what they produce. Two stones from the same manufacturer that are the same size may have vast different air flows. You need to find 2 that with the same flow if using a splitter, otherwise one will dominate. I have a container of stones I have graded H, M and L for their flow. I use two of the same in each bucket, usually H-H. It sucks, but not all airstones are created equally.

I was thinking, as long as the hose lengths are equal, we'll, do you know anything about a difuser I believe they call it. Blocking the end of the tube and poking a trillion holes with a needle, would that be kosher?

 

[J Henry]

They claim more air stones makes more air bubbles and more air bubbles makes more oxygen. Double the number of air stones and double the O2… basic math. Or buy a bigger air pump, double the volume of air and double the oxygen... more basic math. The disposable air stones are the cheapest way to increase the O2 maybe. Air stones are cheap, less than $5 a pop, they are disposable unless you just want to mess with then trying to clean out the pores and that never works very well. Better to buy more disposable stones or best of all, make yourself a water fall.

 

[Dr.funkenstien]

They claim more air stones makes more air bubbles and more air bubbles makes more oxygen. Double the number of air stones and double the O2… basic math. Or buy a bigger air pump, double the volume of air and double the oxygen... more basic math. The disposable air stones are the cheapest way to increase the O2 maybe. Air stones are cheap, less than $5 a pop, they are disposable unless you just want to mess with then trying to clean out the pores and that never works very well. Better to buy more disposable stones or best of all, make yourself a water fall.

I been hearing about this waterfall teqnique, I have searched, but I must not be searching the right thing cause I can't find squat on the subject. I have a decent pump (I think) it has 6 outlets. I plugged 2 into each other and have 4 Stones running now. Looks pretty good.

 

[rkymtnman]

I been hearing about this waterfall teqnique,

water pump, tubing, elbow fittings=waterfall. waterfalls create more DO than airstones. and they keep your nutrients well mixed

 

[Dr.funkenstien]

water pump, tubing, elbow fittings=waterfall. waterfalls create more DO than airstones. and they keep your nutrients well mixed

But won't there be light getting to the water and won't that cause algea?

 

[ManCaver]

Pumping air and dropping it back in with a water pump ? what do you mean elbow fittings ? does the 90 degree bend does that ? i didn't get it man

 

[rkymtnman]

But won't there be light getting to the water and won't that cause algea?

not if you keep the pump in the res. that's how mine is set up.

 

[rkymtnman]

Pumping air and dropping it back in with a water pump ? what do you mean elbow fittings ? does the 90 degree bend does that ? i didn't get it man

no, a water pump. you pump the water up from the bottom thru tubing above the water line, a few 90 deg fittings points it back down and the water splashes creating DO.

 

[ManCaver]

So basically pumping water out from the bottom and pumping it back in, I have a spare aquatec 8800 pump, should be a beast, maybe I can create like ... 4 of these ... hmmm , they will splash the living crap out of that water man. And for how long should it do that ?

 

[rkymtnman]

So basically pumping water out from the bottom and pumping it back in, I have a spare aquatec 8800 pump, should be a beast, maybe I can create like ... 4 of these ... hmmm , they will splash the living crap out of that water man. And for how long should it do that ?

mine runs 24/7. i have a really small pump. that big pump might heat up the water too much so you might need to put on timer.

 

[ManCaver]

Well i be damned thanks man I didn't think i'd ever use that pump lol check out, what do you think man ?
It's gonna spray it from these 2 nozzles, the flow shouldn't be too violent as far as i can remember , also there is a reducer from the blue to the black tubing.

 

[rkymtnman]

Well i be damned thanks man I didn't think i'd ever use that pump lol check out, what do you think man ?
It's gonna spray it from these 2 nozzles, the flow shouldn't be too violent as far as i can remember , also there is a reducer from the blue to the black tubing.

that would work perfect. the more splash, the better.

 

[Dr.funkenstien]

I guess I'd need to see a picture of the set up. I just don't get it. For there to be room for the water to fall to make bubbles wouldn't there need to be some space to make the splash? And don't the roots need to be pretty much all in the water? I'm sure im sounding pretty ignorant and stupid. Not trying to. I'd like to learn this technique. Sounds great to me.

 

[rkymtnman]

I guess I'd need to see a picture of the set up. I just don't get it. For there to be room for the water to fall to make bubbles wouldn't there need to be some space to make the splash? And don't the roots need to be pretty much all in the water? I'm sure im sounding pretty ignorant and stupid. Not trying to. I'd like to learn this technique. Sounds great to me.

are you in a 5 gal bucket DWC? if so, it would be a bit more difficult. 2 reasons: the pump will heat up the water pretty fast and the roots would probably clog the pump unless you use a filter bag.

but you could do it to try. small water pumps are like 10 bucks, run your tubing up the side of the bucket to the lid, add 2 90deg elbows so it points down and there is plenty of room from the lid to the water level to make a splash.