Air-pumps! I've purchased 3 air-pumps in the last 2 months.
I first randomly bought the Aqua One PR9500, without reading up any reviews on a suitable air-pump. This PR9500 is industrial LOUD, unbearably noisy even in the adjoining lounge room to the kitchen, later where the aquarium be. Beared with this noise, as my aquarium needs an air-pump running. I read, after this purchase, review about unhappy buyers commenting about PR9500's noise level.
So, I purchased the second air-pump, Fluval Q5, manufacturer claiming 'low noise', and after reading up on reviews. Okay, this Q5 is quieter than the PR9500. Still, this Q5 buzzed noticably, though there was instant great relief when the PR9500 was swapped out.
Today, I got my 3rd air-pump in recent times. And this Whisperer 100 is quiet, not silent as it suggests. Now, this new air-pump is what I deem acceptable in its noise level, a small buzz which doesn't annoy the shit out of me!
So, the PR9500 is back into storage, to be the backup emergency if either the Whisperer 100 or Fluval Q5 fails. Both pumps are essential, Whisperer 100 running the aquarium and Fluval Q5 to run DWC.
Oh, I did setup the Fluval Q5 to run a single bucket DWC, tonight - filled the bucket to about an inch above the bottom of the suspended net pot, net pot filled with clayballs, with the struggling cutting inside a large rockwool cube. I'm using the aquarium water, as is, at its 5.9 pH. I can hear the Q5 but it doesn't annoy me, and I also hear some bubbling from the air-stone but that's soothing.
Not sure if this DWC setup will help my cutting which is yet to root after about 2 weeks, but I just wanted to see my crude DWC setup run. Not sure how this DWC works, again it's time just to get going, start learning practical lessons. I have yet to research about nutrients and feeding in a DWC system - as I haven't got there yet.
would this DWC help the cutting take root? or am I hopelessly out-of-whack, thinking it might?
I'm expanding my second grow area - presently, its only a 2 x 55W T5 flourescent light fixture with four 3-gallon pots and this DWC pot squeezed (they don't fit in the area) around this light fixture. So, this temporary setup is to be expanded with another temporary measure to house a second T5 flourescent light fixture in the next week - then I can maybe house 6 plants.
There's further plans on top of these temporary measures. Kinda getting cluttered more in terms of ideas/thoughts/plans than in terms of equipment/stuff, so trying to focus on matter more at hand, but still getting distracted with such plans for expansion.
The main purpose is still focused upon getting a harvest completed in my grow tent, to clear the batches of plants. Swapping the sick first batch out of the grow tent under the LEDs, under the T5 fluorescents - and swapping the smaller second batch from under these T5, into the tent under the LED - was a good idea, i feel.
okay, this latest setback has delayed further any harvest. its a matter to stop the damage, re-settle and move forward again - the whole story of this grow. the first batch seems to be on their road to recovery (again), while I figure out what their issue/matter is. swapping the 2nd batch into the tent under the LED, allows 'em to grow bigger. then re-assess later, as to what exactly to do with both batches. also, while my plans has changed radically, this latest setback has brought foward some plans - focus first on recovery...
fark, it's been a lot of trials & errors. still hanging in there.