nope, it will die... due to the HUGE increase in o2 to the roots that this method provides, if a plant that is grown this way is taken off the air after becoming accustomed to that much o2, will basically suffocate the roots... but the pros far outweigh the cons

it should be ok to turn the air off for very short periods.. .like if it has to be disconnected to be moved / flushed / etc.. as long as the air is turned back on within a few hours there should be no ill effects