Question about air pump...

[GetThisOrDie]

Sup guys... I have another hydro question for my setup.

If i got with two 5 gallon buckets in DWC... Is it better to have a single pump for each bucket or would an air pump with dual outlets rated for a 55gallon tank work?

What are the pros and cons of using a dual outlet instead of two singles?

Obviously if it goes out then both buckets are minus air. Is there anything else?

Thanks in advance!

GetThisOrDie Reviewed by GetThisOrDie on 11-19-2009. Question about air pump... Sup guys... I have another hydro question for my setup. If i got with two 5 gallon buckets in DWC... Is it better to have a single pump for each bucket or would an air pump with dual outlets rated for a 55gallon tank work? What are the pros and cons of using a dual outlet instead of two singles? Obviously if it goes out then both buckets are minus air. Is there anything else? Thanks in advance! Rating: 5

[dejayou30]

I would go with one pump. Less cords and equipment to worry about. Air pumps don't usually just fail spontaneously, it is more like a gradual death when they die, so a pump failing and killing your plants is really not that likely. Also, I learned quickly to stay away from the fish tank designed air pumps. They don't produce as much air as efficiently as a pump that is made for hydroponics. I used to use those dual pumps made for fish tanks to run secondary air lines around the perimeter of my buckets, but IMO you'd be better off going with a more heavy duty hydroponics designed pump vs. one made for a fish tank. As the guy at my hydro store said when we were discussing air pumps, "In DWC, you're better off getting an air pump that would blow fish out of the water if you ran it in a fish tank." :jointsmile:

[LOC NAR on probation]

I would go with one pump. Less cords and equipment to worry about. Air pumps don't usually just fail spontaneously, it is more like a gradual death when they die, so a pump failing and killing your plants is really not that likely. Also, I learned quickly to stay away from the fish tank designed air pumps. They don't produce as much air as efficiently as a pump that is made for hydroponics. I used to use those dual pumps made for fish tanks to run secondary air lines around the perimeter of my buckets, but IMO you'd be better off going with a more heavy duty hydroponics designed pump vs. one made for a fish tank. As the guy at my hydro store said when we were discussing air pumps, "In DWC, you're better off getting an air pump that would blow fish out of the water if you ran it in a fish tank." :jointsmile:

What he said. and if your really worried about it get 2 dual air pumps and one line from each pump. Never seen 2 pumps go at the same time.

[Veedubin]

For 65 bucks i grabbed a nice general hyrdroponics for my DWC and it works great. I have it running 4 buckets with 2 8" airstones apiece. I like it and my plants seem to be getting enough air.