Quick Question on Airstones?

[MySecretGarden]

Hey,
I was wondering how important it is to have a good airstone with fine bubbles? Because I am modifying my system and I need to add 8 new airstones... and I would rather not spent $50 per airstone for the ones that produce fine micron bubbles. What is an acceptable micron level for growing plants hydroponically? If anyone has found good cheap ($20) airstones that work I would be forever grateful :stoned:
Thank you all for your time.

MySecretGarden Reviewed by MySecretGarden on 09-04-2007. Quick Question on Airstones? Hey, I was wondering how important it is to have a good airstone with fine bubbles? Because I am modifying my system and I need to add 8 new airstones... and I would rather not spent $50 per airstone for the ones that produce fine micron bubbles. What is an acceptable micron level for growing plants hydroponically? If anyone has found good cheap ($20) airstones that work I would be forever grateful :stoned: Thank you all for your time. Rating: 5

[SpaceNeedle]

You're better off buying airstones at wal-mart and just replacing them each time. You certainly don't have to spend anywhere near $50 for an airstone.

[dejayou30]

Maybe I'm an idiot, but what does having an airstone do? Is it necessary to have one?

[palerider7777]

i use airhogs the last forever u can buy them starting at 15 each for the small ones and there still bigger than the dollar ones at walmart or u could just buy a bunch of dollar ones

[PharmaCan]

Maybe I'm an idiot, but what does having an airstone do? Is it necessary to have one?

Stupid questions are far better than stupid mistakes, Grasshopper. :thumbsup:

It aerates the water - mixes tiny bubbles of air in with the water.

The roots need air to survive, so having a nice airy mixture of nutes makes the plants grow better.

It's essential hydro, recommended for anything else.

PC :smokin:

[hbbusa28]

Is that still the case with Rockwool? I've heard that the Rockwool holds a good amount of o2 so there is no need for a stone. Is that true?

[turtle420]

Is that still the case with Rockwool? I've heard that the Rockwool holds a good amount of o2 so there is no need for a stone. Is that true?

Yup.
You're putting oxygen into the nute mix,... not the rockwool.
The mix that flows over the rockwool needs to be 'oxygenated'.

[Opie Yutts]

It's not necessary to have the superfine bubbles. Get as fine as you can without spending a bunch. I like the green, tube-type air stones (not really a stone). They last forever unlike the real air stones, and you can wash them if they start to get plugged up, and you can cut them to any length. The real stones seem to last for one or two grows, then they fall apart. Walmart pet section.

[Opie Yutts]

Remember the key people:

Get as much oxygen as possible into your nutes and to your roots. You want as much splashing as possible. Trust me this is the key. Other than getting the basics correct, not much else matters.

[Booyagrandma]

I don't mean to jack the thread but I think my question goes along with the original post's question.

Any way to DIY an air stone? looking to cover the whole bottom of my tub.

Booya