Hello all, I'm about to set up my first automated irrigation system in a couple weeks and I'll be doing dtw with coco. I already have a decent air pump and 2 big air stones. Will that be enough for just a 20 gallon reservoir, or do I need to put in a circulating pump in addition to the air stones and feed pump?
Air Stones vs Circulation Pump
- Thread starter Kushfan
- Start date
On second thought should I even be using air stones in a dtw res? I've been reading about ph fluctuation with aeration, and that the fresh water and nutes every feeding provides enough oxygen to the roots, without any additional aeration in the res.
I am using Heavy 16 nutrients which is more on the organic side. So I worry about the nutes settling and dying off without constant mixing/aeration. But they don't die off while sitting in the bottles before mixing. So confused on this aeration subject
I am using Heavy 16 nutrients which is more on the organic side. So I worry about the nutes settling and dying off without constant mixing/aeration. But they don't die off while sitting in the bottles before mixing. So confused on this aeration subject
JohnnySocko
Active Member
Get a powerhead for fish tanks with a airline "venture", place it at the surface of your res; use that.... 
for recirculation/oxygenation, or see the thread on DWC w/o airstones ...or see my pic here...I simply blast the output down into the res....max O2 I would imagine .... t
for recirculation/oxygenation, or see the thread on DWC w/o airstones ...or see my pic here...I simply blast the output down into the res....max O2 I would imagine .... t
PetFlora
Well-Known Member
Having used air stones in the past, I was looking for something that would also recir the nutes.
I developed a high performance recir rez system using a 160 gph pump + Hydro-Halo Drip Ring + river/ornamental rocks.
The ring sprays the nutes into the rocks which theoretically increases both oxygenation and chi
I developed a high performance recir rez system using a 160 gph pump + Hydro-Halo Drip Ring + river/ornamental rocks.
The ring sprays the nutes into the rocks which theoretically increases both oxygenation and chi
bobbitoblaze
Active Member
Listen Johnney wallmart has power heads with venture tube best you can get
Sativied
Well-Known Member
Yes, an automated drip irrigation system needs an aqua pump not air pump. Although you could place the rez above the plants and let gravity do the work. Otherwise you need an aqua pump for the irrigation, and to keep the rez oxygenated you can use an aqua pump to circulate OR air pump+stones.
Pinworm
Well-Known Member
I'm running something very similar right now. Check my sig, if you get bored.@ Sativied - Good to see you, brother.
I'm aware that I need a water pump for irrigation which I already have, my question was is it necessary to use an additional water pump to circulate the reservoir water prior to irrigation, or am I ok with just air stones, or nothing at all (in addition to the irrigation pump).
Pinworm
Well-Known Member
Keep in mind, I'm running an RDWC setup, but I think it applies to DTW as it's just general info - Just airstones will do the trick. The more Dissolved oxygen for the roots, the better. Make sure to keep your res temps nice and cool, as well. 65F is a good rule of thumb. Any higher than 68-70F and you'll start having algae, and rot issues. 60F (imo) is better, but you probably shouldn't go any lower or risk shocking the roots. Theres always airstone alternatives like what Johnny runs in his veg cab, and there's lots more powerful stuff out there too, like, using a small compressor and and a soaker hose coiled in the res etc. Of course those types of builds are more for bigger resevoirs. 20-30+ If you're running buckets, this wouldn't apply. Tons of hydro methods out there, and they all work. But, the bigger the res, the easier it is to control, and maintain pH, and temperatures.
EDIT: Just re-read, and saw you're using coco. Sorry about that. A remote res will probably not have heat issues unless your ambient temps are higher than 75 and/or it's directly under a light source.
Sativied
Well-Known Member
Yeah I understood and answered that question:
So if you already have air pump+ stones you don't need an additional circu pump. A good air pump+stones will do plenty of nutrient circulation inside the reservoir. (and a good circulation pump will do plenty of aeration...).
Sweet, good info. Thanks.
JohnnySocko
Active Member
Aqualifter? as in Toms Aqualifter?