not covering res tanks?

[flamdrags420]

Can I get some thoughts on having or not having your tanks covered. Pros and cons please?
Thanks

 

[topfuel29]

cover it.
you lose alot of water to evaporation
specially in the winter, low humidity.

 

[potpimp]

The main reason to cover the rez tank is so you don't grow algae. Light + nutes = algae.

 

[drifter1978]

hey man cover it other wise algae will grow.

 

[flamdrags420]

Ok wasn't really sure what the deal was. If you cover the ranks, is there really a need for the air stone then? Or does that also add air to the water, not just keep it flowing to help fight algae etc...?

 

[waterCooled]

Ok wasn't really sure what the deal was. If you cover the ranks, is there really a need for the air stone then? Or does that also add air to the water, not just keep it flowing to help fight algae etc...?

yea dude, the water actually needs to be oxygenated... little bits of O all in the water. the roots stay underwater and need oxygen to survive. the air above the water is no use to them. if you don't cover the tank yea, algae will make your roots unhappy.

 

[marksk85]

always have ur res. covered having it open can cause alot of problems from algae to lil critters getting it as far as air stones the more the better its really hard to overdo that

 

[potpimp]

Your roots have to breathe oxygen just like we do and if you don't have your water pumped with O2 they will drown. Unlike us, plants can extract O2 from water like a fish - only without the gills.

 

[flamdrags420]

right on guys. just wanted to make sure if there was any opt out. Sounds like a case of better safe then sorry despite any possibility exception which in this case doesn't seem to be any

 

[waterCooled]

yup, airstones are a must in DWC. it's part of what DWC is. Just to be extra specific, an airstone needs to be hooked up to an air pump (via plastic tubes), which needs to be plugged in to an outlet for power. if you already knew that then just ignore me, ha!