Airstone in topoff rez? Yes or no?

[QuarterbackMo]

I have been using one for a long time now and it doesnt seem to have any ill effect on the nutrients as far as mineral fallout and whatnot... I have been thinking though that maybe what if it does? As a grower I find myself constantly striving for perfection and if my minerals are falling out before they hit the uc then I would be hurting myself right? But then again what about anerobic bacteria? I have seen a lot of people who say don't use them and a lot of people who say do use them... Whats your opinion/facts?

 

[potberryfin]

From my experience adding an airstone and more aeration never had any ill effects in any reservoir

 

[woodsmaneh]

I use 2 6" stones in my 45gal res and when I clean every thing I don't see any residue on the bottom, besides if it made the elements precipitate it would happen in every modual and the epic center

 

[St3ve]

I have always used two 6" stones in my 100 gal. I've tried it with and without the stones and I don't really noticed any difference in the plants. I only notice that I don't get a film on the water in the rez. The Rez is the same to clean either way so I don't notice anything other than some salt built up. (same either way)

 

[mrdizzle]

add a small pump for a 250gph instead

 

[Max Powers]

what dizzle said. just make sure you get the a pump that's big enough to move the water well, but not so big as to heat up the water significantly with the motor

 

[deacon1503]

add a small pump for a 250gph instead

+1

 

[QuarterbackMo]

add a small pump for a 250gph instead

I got one laying around... I never had a problem using airstones but ill try this and see if there is any difference.

 

[woodsmaneh]

I found that a 250 MagDrive will heat 45 gal res to about 86 in 3 days...that's why the air stones. A smaller pump might not heat it too much.

 

[TheBioMaster]

It is not always feasable, but we have always kept both storage and top off tanks controlled by both temp and air stones. 68F is the constant temp and I forget the specs on the air pumps we use (filtered UV air on all air pump intakes).

 

[Innov8tr]

It is not always feasable, but we have always kept both storage and top off tanks controlled by both temp and air stones. 68F is the constant temp and I forget the specs on the air pumps we use (filtered UV air on all air pump intakes).

+1, I keep mine chilled and areated. Areation brings up the ph in the water in most cases. I use well water which has no dissolved oxygen and the ph is really low. After just a few hours the ph jumps up a couple points.