Asked 3 sites got 3 different answers

[Rdub]

The kit "to my knowledge" normally doesn't come with added air domes, unless you purchase the full kit. They were an addition so are they actually required in this autopot system to run 24/7 or at all and what I wonder would be the difference in growth between the two is why I will run some with and without next run.

Run 1 without any air, run one with air on 18/6 and run one with air on 24?

 

[BloodShot]

@Rdub, have you ever checked the pH in the float area and compared it to what your rez pH is?
I was shocked at the difference once but I was also dealing with a switch to dry plant food and all that..
All I know is I couldn't keep the pH from fluctuating in my rez when I ran air stones in it, so I took them out.
The woman at the grow shop said to run them the guy said you don't need them.
edit: I also said I don't need the air domes do I?
Can't I just run air stones inside the bottoms and save $$$

 

[Rdub]

Probably not.... Intervals would be better than lights on and off but 24/7 takes all the guess work out. It's a tiny wattage.

Yeah its just a 6 watt pump. Pennies compared to what my light cost to run

 

[Rdub]

@Rdub, have you ever checked the pH in the float area and compared it to what your rez pH is?
I was shocked at the difference once but I was also dealing with a switch to dry plant food and all that..

Yeah i was checking the tray underneath the plant that is struggling it was a bit higher like 6.7 in the tray when the Rez was stable at 6. Since the flush that those numbers have gotten closer. I checked it a few days ago. Rez was 5.8 and tray was 6.1

 

[Rdub]

Yeah i was checking the tray underneath the plant that is struggling it was a bit higher like 6.7 in the tray when the Rez was stable at 6. Since the flush that those numbers have gotten closer. I checked it a few days ago. Rez was 5.8 and tray was 6.1

I’m not sure what that means or if it’s even anything to worry about but I definitely got some peace of mind when the 2 values got closer together though

 

[BloodShot]

Yeah its just a 6 watt pump. Pennies compared to what my light cost to run

Electrical isn't an issue here, included is great!

 

[Rdub]

Electrical isn't an issue here, included is great!

One day I’ll get around to installing solar panels until then I’m beholden to the power company

 

[Rdub]

@Rdub, have you ever checked the pH in the float area and compared it to what your rez pH is?
I was shocked at the difference once but I was also dealing with a switch to dry plant food and all that..
All I know is I couldn't keep the pH from fluctuating in my rez when I ran air stones in it, so I took them out.
The woman at the grow shop said to run them the guy said you don't need them.
edit: I also said I don't need the air domes do I?
Can't I just run air stones inside the bottoms and save $$$

I didn’t see the last part of this... I think an air stone in your pot would be just as good as the dome kit and cheaper. I also run a small aquarium pump in the res, not an air stone. For oxygenation all you need is to break the surface tension of the water. In my saltwater aquariums I I didn’t notice a difference in dissolved o2 running an air pump as opposed to just using my return water to ripple the surface. I did notice the ph swings more with an air pump though

 

[Aqua Man]

Ok with airstones people often see ph fluctuations and let me explain why.... Simply put carbonic acid or the amount of CO2 dissolved in water. There are several contributing factors but the main ones are gas exchange and buffering capacity of water. With a lower carbonate hardness the ph can swing much faster as it has much less ability to buffer acid. When you add airstones the surface agitation create gas exchange and the water will try to reach equalibrium with the air in contact with it. More surface area agitation equals more gas exchange. Stagnant water with no surface area agitation equals poor gas exchange.

As this has exchange happens carbon dioxide is released or absorbed by the water as it tries to reach equalibrium. This changes the amount of dissolved carbon dioxide in the water either creating more or less carbonic acid and thus changing the ph.

You can test this from you tap water. Take some tap water in 2 equal glasses and test the ph. Add an airstone to one of them come back in 2 hrs and test the ph. Due to the amount of dissolved CO2 in tap water the one with the airstone will reach equalibrium fastest due to better gas exchange so it ph will be higher than the glass with no airstone. Then continue for 24hrs and test again.. they should both be pretty close.

I should add that any film on the top of the water will hinder gas exchange so if you notice a film in the non agitated glass you may still see a substantial difference in ph after 24hrs

 

[Rdub]

Ok with airstones people often see ph fluctuations and let me explain why.... Simply put carbonic acid or the amount of CO2 dissolved in water. There are several contributing factors but the main ones are gas exchange and buffering capacity of water. With a lower carbonate hardness the ph can swing much faster as it has much less ability to buffer acid. When you add airstones the surface agitation create gas exchange and the water will try to reach equalibrium with the air in contact with it. More surface area agitation equals more gas exchange. Stagnant water with no surface area agitation equals poor gas exchange.

As this has exchange happens carbon dioxide is released or absorbed by the water as it tries to reach equalibrium. This changes the amount of dissolved carbon dioxide in the water either creating more or less carbonic acid and thus changing the ph.

You can test this from you tap water. Take some tap water in 2 equal glasses and test the ph. Add an airstone to one of them come back in 2 hrs and test the ph. Due to the amount of dissolved CO2 in tap water the one with the airstone will reach equalibrium fastest due to better gas exchange so it ph will be higher than the glass with no airstone. Then continue for 24hrs and test again.. they should both be pretty close.

I should add that any film on the top of the water will hinder gas exchange so if you notice a film in the non agitated glass you may still see a substantial difference in ph after 24hrs

He said it better

 

[Rdub]

well since all you friendly people were so helpful I thought I would let ya see how the ladies are coming along. The most raggedy plant is picking up some steam. I removed some of the dead fan leafs but decided to keep a few that I thought still had some life to give. It’s really droopy though and has been since the “incident” it is growing however. Anyway enjoy!

 

[Rdub]

I spoke with someone from autopot. We determined that the pot may just have a bit to much Hydroton in the bottom. He instructed me to remove the tops on the float inside the aquavalve and add weights . I added 3 pennies in each side. This causes the water to rise higher. If you do add weights don’t add more than 3 pennies into each side of the float. I’m in the brink of an overflow. Seems to be drinking again

Oh and an FYI don’t put more than 2 pennies in each side of a float or you’ll flood your space. Don’t ask me how I know

 

[Jimster]

Oh and an FYI don’t put more than 2 pennies in each side of a float or you’ll flood your space. Don’t ask me how I know

The new growth looks good! You can really see the difference between the before and after areas and the color change that goes with them. The darker green of the older growth is a sign of high nitrogen, which can cause dark and shiny leaves. The new growth looks much better and vibrant... good job!

 

[Rdub]

Well here they are 1 week before flipping. I pruned the bottom portions in preparation. That last underside picture is the bushiest plant I have and it’s a pita to reach. My neck and back still hurt. I didn’t take as much off because there were so many lower nodes that looked like they could one day reach the canopy. Was planning on doing another lollipop on that one 2 weeks into flower unless I hear otherwise. Well thanks again for your help guys. Enjoy!

 

[Aqua Man]

Well here they are 1 week before flipping. I pruned the bottom portions in preparation. That last underside picture is the bushiest plant I have and it’s a pita to reach. My neck and back still hurt. I didn’t take as much off because there were so many lower nodes that looked like they could one day reach the canopy. Was planning on doing another lollipop on that one 2 weeks into flower unless I hear otherwise. Well thanks again for your help guys. Enjoy!

Nice job

 

[lady grower]

It looks like nitrogen toxicity . The very dark green is a tell tall sign .Then the brown spots... Flush add 1 tablespoon of epsom salts to a gallon of water and water with that .Back off on the nutes especially nitrogen

 

[Rdub]

Since all of you helped me get this far and my plants have responded well to the advice given to me I thought I would post an update. Here they are 2.5 weeks into flower, happy and healthy. The stretch is over. I cleaned them up a little . A few holes in the canopy but there is a good size flower or 2 in each that just didn’t stretch quite as much. Overall I’m quite pleased

 

[PlumberSoCal]

Since all of you helped me get this far and my plants have responded well to the advice given to me I thought I would post an update. Here they are 2.5 weeks into flower, happy and healthy. The stretch is over. I cleaned them up a little . A few holes in the canopy but there is a good size flower or 2 in each that just didn’t stretch quite as much. Overall I’m quite pleased

Time for a grow diary!

 

[Rdub]

Time for a grow diary!

I think I’m gonna do one my next run

 

[PlumberSoCal]

I think I’m gonna do one my next run

I'd follow along on this grow. You still have a bit to go before smoking. Or just post here, following along and really enjoying. I get excited for others doing well. Call me crazy (and I just love plant porn).