Air stone timing

[Sgtsativa]

How long should the air pump and air stones be running in a dwc? I would think 2 hours on and off would be fine for plants oxygen supply unless the bucket is full past the net pot. Seems like an air pump wouldn’t last long running 24/7

 

[BooMtoLate]

I have 2, 4 inch stones in my res. I run them 24/7 for about 4 months straight. Air pump takes a licking and keeps on ticking.

 

[Edzzed]

I also have 2 four inch airstones in my 5 gallon drain to waste reservoir and they run 24/7 as well.

 

[BooMtoLate]

Pumps are cheap anyways, I think mine was around 25$

 

[SamSmith]

You run the air pump 24/7 in DWC. if the roots are submerged without air for very long you will drown the plant.

 

[Sgtsativa]

I paid 80 bucks for the pump so it better last at least a year or two. I had a little cheap I 25 dollar one and got root rot. The roots literally strangled the air stone. Now the water looks like it’s boiling. Thanks for the info. I thought they could draw o2 from the gap between net pot and water like the kratky method

 

[SamSmith]

What you're seeing now with the water boiling is what you should be seeing in DWC. I use a commercial pump with (2) large 4" stones in each bucket similar to one of these.

VIVOSUN 317-1750GPH Commercial Air Pump

The roots need air throughout the bucket to keep them living and absorbing nutrients.

It sounds like you are on the right track now.

 

[Sgtsativa]

Dang that’s a nice price. Thanks bro