what type of air pump and other shit.?

Hi people what type of air pump and other shit do i need for hydroponics. I have a normal 18gal plastic box how many holes should i cut in the top if i were to use a 400watt mh/hps light. I might just put 2 18gal plastic boxes instead of 1. Would 1 light cover both boxes ???????

As far as an air pump & such. I'd get http://www.htgsupply.com/viewproduct.asp?productID=51179 or http://www.htgsupply.com/viewproduct.asp?productID=50490 for 1 or 2 totes. This would be the minimum, more air the better (I've never heard of over aerating a res. Just don't go getting ultra-cheap & buy the little fish pumps to start with. You'll waste money, as a lot of us have going that route. Although I didn't have to buy little fish pumps, as they were givin to me, I ended up having like six of them going, which used up a lot of outlets & the mess of cords omg.

Put at least 2 stones in each res.

As to whether 1 400w light will work. It depends. How many plants in an 18 gal. res (I have 1 plant in a 18 gal. res)? Can you squeeze the totes together. Generally I've found you can light a 3x4 area with a 400w light, it's not optimal, but can be done. That's 12sq.ft. - 33.3 watts/sq.ft. - not optimal. But 2.5x3.5 =8.75sq.ft. 45 watts/sq.ft.

If you plan on using 2 18 gal. totes. I would get a 600w for 2 totes.

nevewrmind that then is there any way i can make the box fit more than 1 plant so i can grow all the way to harvest?

Sure. I would get a wider & longer tote. Ya just have to keep in mind how big they will be @ finish as to how crowded you want it.

my first grow I used an 18 gal. tote,I had 6 plants in it and they were over crowded,I switched to 5 gal. buckets. in a rdwc set up that I made myself.I would only put 1 or 2 plants in the tote

how would the setup be, any one have pics of theres or others setup

This is an old system I used to use. I found that 6 plants overcrowded the tote. If you plan on using something like this, don't allow them to get too big before flowering.

I have a 170 gph pump in it attached to a 1/2" pvc manifold with 2 sprinklers that spray the cups. I also have 2 air stones in it. The tote measures 30"longx15"widex16"deep. I use 10 gals. of water in this.

Now days I use it for vegging. It's just too small for flowering 6 plants.

Edit: If you need more detailed pics let me know.

thats like the same tote i have. How much did you get out of those plant?

what type of air pump do i need ? I was checkin out this one Tetra Whisper 10gallon Aquarium Air Pump would this work

this what i got now do i just connect the blue rectangular thing that makes it bubble and add water

Hey Sugarkush,

Make sure your airstones are weighed down try using a length pvc with the ends open and the water will as weight. Important the stones stay on the bottom for the biggest bubbles That tetra air pump sounds fine, but IMO you can never have a pump thats too big.... so just get whatever your budget can afford just make sure it has dual outlets.....

It is also crucial youget a spare pump, if not when you get this one then asap! If your pump dies, your plants die within hours!!

Good luck!!

My log has pics of the pumps i use

Hey do i need to have a pvc pipe or can i just atach the airstones to the end of it and addd water and start? How much wateer should i add? and what methoda is this ?

The pvc I referred to in my setup is for a submerged water pump. It just allows me to use a lot less solution. I have air stones & a sprinkler system in mine. You don't have to use it.

If you are just going to use air stones, it's Deep Water Culture. If you are not going to use a water pump make sure your roots are submerged.

oh ok then, im going to use a air pump but no water pump

Hey sugar. Im using DWC/Air pumps in my set up.

Have a look at my log and you will see what you can do.