Upgrading airstones and need recommendations.

[Bluebuddha]

I'm currently using some regular smaller airstones 1/2x2" and looking for something with more airflow.

Anyone using the discs or bars or something else.

Recommendation needed Which type and brand are you using?

 

[Moe.Red]

I use 4 of these in the res, and 2 in each pot.

Amazon.com

I drive them with these:

Amazon.com

 

[Smokey0418]

Those are great stone size , use the same when I bubbled

Drove mine with a similar pump.

Active Aqua Dual Diaphragm Air Pump

The Active Aqua Dual Diaphragm Air Pump is ideal for all hydroponic applications where quiet, consistent, and powerful airflow output is required. Its multi-outlet divider accepts 0.25" tubing and provides up to four separate channels of high volume air output which, if desired, can be further...

astralgrow.com

 

[Bluebuddha]

I use 4 of these in the res, and 2 in each pot.

Amazon.com

I drive them with these:

Amazon.com

I was using those large stones. I don't necessarily like the fine bubbles versus a stone that causes more turbulence and larger bubbles. Also, I noticed I had some organic buildup on the larger fine stones (2x4"). I wish I took a picture but it looked like a pale white, fiberous material. They're soaking in 12% H2O2 now and were replaced with smaller more porous petco stones (.5x2").

Once I get the that GH pump I'll try out the 2x4's again.

I was looking at this pump as well. https://www.amazon.com/PONDFORSE-Outlets-Ajustable-Aquariums-Hydroponic/dp/B08DXGQN3T


I think or actually, I know, I'm going to convert this to a RDWC. I know what pump I'm getting per the below thread. (unless a better alterative has come up)

https://www.thcfarmer.com/threads/submersible-pump-recommendations-needed-for-32g-res.136089/

Pump - https://www.amazon.com/VIVOSUN-Submersible-Fountain-Aquarium-Hydroponics/dp/B07L54HB83/


The only part I'm not sure on, is how to plumb it out. TBD..

 

[Moe.Red]

I was using those large stones. I don't necessarily like the fine bubbles versus a stone that causes more turbulence and larger bubbles. Also, I noticed I had some organic buildup on the larger fine stones (2x4"). I wish I took a picture but it looked like a pale white, fiberous material. They're soaking in 12% H2O2 now and were replaced with smaller more porous petco stones (.5x2").

Once I get the that GH pump I'll try out the 2x4's again.

I was looking at this pump as well. https://www.amazon.com/PONDFORSE-Outlets-Ajustable-Aquariums-Hydroponic/dp/B08DXGQN3T


I think or actually, I know, I'm going to convert this to a RDWC. I know what pump I'm getting per the below thread. (unless a better alterative has come up)

https://www.thcfarmer.com/threads/submersible-pump-recommendations-needed-for-32g-res.136089/

Pump - https://www.amazon.com/VIVOSUN-Submersible-Fountain-Aquarium-Hydroponics/dp/B07L54HB83/


The only part I'm not sure on, is how to plumb it out. TBD..

If you convert to RDWC you can aerate the res plenty with that pump.

Can you shoot a pic of your setup so I can help with the plumbing?

 

[ninjadip]

If you convert to RDWC you can aerate the res plenty with that pump.

Can you shoot a pic of your setup so I can help with the plumbing?

Man you're awesome, I want to convert my Active Aqua Root Spa DWC as well before my next grow, really should have done it this time... My back already hurts and I'm in only in the first week of my second grow lol.
So I'm looking forward to your recommendation to the OP

 

[Electrolights]

Personally gave up on airstone due to having to clean or get rid of them, Venturi set up has kept my DO levels good even at high temps, also duel diaphragm pumps are great would recommend for anyone looking for a good pump

 

[ninjadip]

Personally gave up on airstone due to having to clean or get rid of them, Venturi set up has kept my DO levels good even at high temps, also duel diaphragm pumps are great would recommend for anyone looking for a good pump

Would love to see your venturi setup!! I have also moved to the dark side of zero air stones in my hydro, but instead of venturi it is flooming to exchange the gases in the water.
Those air stones really are great breeding grounds for baddies, without one you have A little less to worry about.. but of course that is only my opinion. I should add that I also have high temp water, 82!!! And yet it is stable and doesn't stink, of course for me this only happens after adding AG fungicide and once they have adequately colonized.

 

[Moe.Red]

Man you're awesome, I want to convert my Active Aqua Root Spa DWC as well before my next grow, really should have done it this time... My back already hurts and I'm in only in the first week of my second grow lol.
So I'm looking forward to your recommendation to the OP

Tag me in to a thread that shows what you are working with. Here is what I do.

 

[Moe.Red]

Would love to see your venturi setup!! I have also moved to the dark side of zero air stones in my hydro, but instead of venturi it is flooming to exchange the gases in the water.
Those air stones really are great breeding grounds for baddies, without one you have A little less to worry about.. but of course that is only my opinion. I should add that I also have high temp water, 82!!! And yet it is stable and doesn't stink, of course for me this only happens after adding AG fungicide and once they have adequately colonized.

They are also a breeding ground for goodies. If you inoculate the system before adding plants, typically you don't have problems.

 

[ninjadip]

Tag me in to a thread that shows what you are working with. Here is what I do.

View attachment 1287539

Man I would fork over 1k to you if you were local and interested in setting me up like that, and that would just be the installation fee!!! I'm so jealous. I did for some reason already buy a ph controller that now sits with other unused tools that will one day be used in a rwdc res.
These are my buckets, I thought maybe I could drill into them to hook up plumbing, but I got fired my first day as a plumbers helper when I was young for sleeping in the tub we just installed in an unfinished house when the boss came unexpectedly lol

 

[ninjadip]

They are also a breeding ground for goodies. If you inoculate the system before adding plants, typically you don't have problems.

Smart man, something I learned this time on my second grow, I put plants in all at the same time.... Big eff up, but now the water is finally inoculated, and even though they look bad they will survive. I will definitely take your advice on my next one and wait, what 1-3 days? For the water to be good

 

[Moe.Red]

Smart man, something I learned this time on my second grow, I put plants in all at the same time.... Big eff up, but now the water is finally inoculated, and even though they look bad they will survive. I will definitely take your advice on my next one and wait, what 1-3 days? For the water to be good

I sterilized this tent over the past 2 weeks. It has been shut down a few months. So I ran a lot of H202 thru it.

Then I dumped the water twice, and once I had 0PPM H202, I put in the nutes and biologics. Put in the silica to buffer, then bring the PH back down into the 5.8 range. Then I run it like that for a few days and make any tiny adjustments needed. Seedlings just went in there today. So it was like a 2 week process, but could have been much faster.

It takes approx 45 days to establish a proper colony that repels all evils, so I like to get it started early.

If this was going to be a perpetual run on this tent, I would not sterilize in between. That includes the air stones. I usually replace about half of them between grows so I am not taking away the good colony.

Once you are connected up to an external res, your life will become so much easier.

 

[ninjadip]

I sterilized this tent over the past 2 weeks. It has been shut down a few months. So I ran a lot of H202 thru it.

Then I dumped the water twice, and once I had 0PPM H202, I put in the nutes and biologics. Put in the silica to buffer, then bring the PH back down into the 5.8 range.

This is off topic, but I have some mono silicate acid coming, I thought the order was add silica first, then nutes. I really really trust your hydro experience, should I add the silica last like you mentioned here?

 

[Moe.Red]

This is off topic, but I have some mono silicate acid coming, I thought the order was add silica first, then nutes. I really really trust your hydro experience, should I add the silica last like you mentioned here?

Yeah, we are off in the weeds, but if you want to start a thread in the hydro section and tag me in I can walk you thru it. I'm literally starting a RDWC grow today. Hells Angles OG X Chemdog - from the original strains. My buddy and breeder @Oldsog provided the genetics. Shit maybe I should just post up that to a new RDWC thread and tag you in lol. I got too many threads going already

 

[Moe.Red]

Man I would fork over 1k to you if you were local and interested in setting me up like that, and that would just be the installation fee!!!

@Aqua Man will set you up with a superior RDWC. Where are you in the world?

 

[Bluebuddha]

Nice. Here's what I'm working with.

4x5 veg 3-4 18 gal rubbermaids

5x5 flower -1250 watts led, Acinfinity ventilation system. If I needed it I have a portable 10000btu AC.

2 31gal rubbermaids
2 18 gal rubbermaids

I need to keep everything inside the tents as I'm severely limited by space.

I'd like to do it right and be able to autofill the resevoirs if I'm away for a couple days. (Unlikely)

It's being built as a single cola SOG system. 16 sites with room to walk around.

My main concern is cutting holes in the sides and them being solid and no leaks

I can do pvc no problem but, what about rubber grommets with barbed T's?

I guess I'm thinking just bottom recirculation and stones in all my tubs.

 

[Moe.Red]

It can be done, but in my experience leaks are inevitable with flexible sided totes. My first veg tent was Rubbermaid's and it made it thru one grow before I yanked them out due to leaks. If you can find them the square 13 gal pots kitty litter comes in is far more ideal.

If not, I'd suggest something quality like this for the return:

Bulkhead ABS Slip x Thread (Slip on the Flange/Head side)

Bulkheads are used to attach plumbing to aquariums and sumps to allow water to flow through them. These low profile reef safe bulkheads are made from black ABS plastic. Our supplier manufactures these slightly thicker than competitor aquarium bulkheads making them more reliable. Bulkheads come...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

in 2"

then PVC glued in between everywhere. Your supply lines should go in above the water line so you do not need to worry about leaks there. You can just use flexible tube the same size as your pump with barbed tees.

What is your top off situation? You want to use one closed tote as a res and the other to hold water to auto top off?

 

[Bluebuddha]

I haven't gotten to a top off solution/idea. I was thinking AC float valves and switches.

 

[Moe.Red]

If you could raise one of those totes you could do it with gravity and this

Amazon.com