Well I started my dwc bucket with just the two hoses attatched to.the bottom of my bucket and no airstones.
I was very discouraged at the lack of growth in my plant. I soon noticed the roots weren't making any progress either. I took my ass to wallmart and baught two cylindrical airstones from the fishy section and stuck them at the bottom of my bucket and my plant took off like crazy.
If you buy em at wallmart or meijers, it might be cheaper than ordering it offline.