How important is an aerator?

[FlyGuyOU]

I'm just starting a constant flow hydro setup using 4" cups and hydroton. The water falling from the cups back into the main supply will cause some aeration. Will getting a bubbler for the tank add noticeable results?

[the image reaper]

I wound up with airstones in every container, and even my recirculating reservoir ... I could 'see' the plant benefit from every additional bubbler ... maybe I'm crazy, but it sure seemed obvious to me :jointsmile: (well, yeah, so I AM crazy :wtf:)

[elskeetro]

yes. it's cheap and easy and makes a difference.

[elskeetro]

yes. it's cheap and easy and makes a difference.

Sorry...took too long to edit.

In my experiences it has helped significantly in preventing root rot.

[stinkyattic]

What you are running is NFT. You don't strictly NEED an aerator in that system because of the constant water tumbling over the medium, but it won't hurt one bit. Don't let your plants get too big; those 6" pots can support plants through flower IF you start them on 12/12 before they hit about 6"... otherwise, you will get some issues with root mass taking up too much of the space in the pot that was supposed to be free for water to flow, and that can translate to rot.

I'd run Cannazyme according to instructions in a system like that, and also do frequent res changes.

[FlyGuyOU]

whats a cannazyme if i may ask stink?
I'm hoping to go through one grow flowering a few plants and selecting another to be a long-term mother. Being in a closet and running a 400w light, i was hoping to do a sog once i get clones up and running. I figured these cups would be large enough as I've heard clones don't create the root mass of seedlings....any truth to this?

[stinkyattic]

I have happily flowered out rooted clones in 6" pots in containerized NFT. That is true. That's a good size for a SOG.

Cannazyme is made by Canna and it's meant to break down dead and sloughed-off cellular material so it doesn't gunk up the works and lead to rot.