Air Stones

[Shawn]

I am seeing a lot about Air Stones.   I understand they provide more oxygen to the plants.  I looked at the AG site and it just states good for all aerator/bubbler models.  Well how do you know if you have one?  Are they good for the Extra LED, Ultra LED or Bountys?  If so how do you and where are they placed in the bowl since it does not look like they have the "hose holder" like in the AG pictures.


Is anyone using them in their machines now and if so what ones?

[Kate]

Mar 1, 2018 11:54:35 GMT -5 Shawn said:

I am seeing a lot about Air Stones.   I understand they provide more oxygen to the plants.  I looked at the AG site and it just states good for all aerator/bubbler models.  Well how do you know if you have one?  Are they good for the Extra LED, Ultra LED or Bountys?  If so how do you and where are they placed in the bowl since it does not look like they have the "hose holder" like in the AG pictures.


Is anyone using them in their machines now and if so what ones?

I have one in my Extra. There are ports for lines already set in the machine. Just pop out the plug. Right now, it's set in the center of the machine, behind the pump. I'm going to do a t-splitter and add a second line and stone, since the plants are growing so fast. It can only help.

[drbanks]

They're pretty mainstream in non-aerogarden applications.  You can buy airstones normally destined for aquaria and connect to an air pump for same using 1/4" airline.

Even though the leaves of the plant need CO2 and exhale O2, the roots actually need O2 to remain healthy.  In the Aerogarden application, that's normally done by pumping the water through the grow deck and dripped onto the pods, but the Sprout uses only an air stone.

It couldn't hurt.  If nothing else, it could also cool the water if it's getting warm.

[Shawn]

I am just curious.  I have not used one to date but am inquiring about them.

[delgar]

I'm bumping this as I have a related question.

I have two aerogardens now, both Bounties.  In the second one, I'm growing peppers for the first time, just two plants.

In the first aerogarden I've always had connected a separate pump.  I'm reading if its actually helpful, some say yes, some say no over different pages on the internet.

Having done some research on the aerogarden website, they have the bounty set to not pump except for an hour a day during the germination phase.  When it goes to high-growth, I'll be watching to see how often the pump is turned on.

For peppers, does anyone think a supplemental pump which is constantly on after germination is helpful or is it completely not necessary?

Nov 10, 2019 17:21:27 GMT -5 delgar said:

I'm bumping this as I have a related question.


For peppers, does anyone think a supplemental pump which is constantly on after germination is helpful or is it completely not necessary?

I think if they were necessary, that would make the machine as they are selling them 'incomplete',yes? I used to add supplemental airstones,but noticed very little difference.

What would make the crops better..vegetables as well as flowers ..is supplemental lighting.

JMO

[Shawn]

delgar, I have been growing peppers consistently since I began AG'ing.  I have not seen a need to add air stones.  Yes I have asked about them but still never tried.

I have had successful gardens so to me it is not needed. 

[delgar]

Thanks, and I see the Bounty just switched from Germination to High Growth on the Peppers setting.  It went from the pump being on for 60 minutes per day, to being always on.

What would you recommend for supplemental lighting?

Nov 11, 2019 19:25:58 GMT -5 delgar said:

Thanks, and I see the Bounty just switched from Germination to High Growth on the Peppers setting.  It went from the pump being on for 60 minutes per day, to being always on.

What would you recommend for supplemental lighting?

I have used this 24w from Amazon and put it on a camera tripod with a light stand mount.

But that was BEFORE the Ultras and the Bounty came out with the LED.

I find they work fine for my needs w/o extra light. I have grown peppers successfully with the old machines and CFL hoods and no supplemental lighting.But more light is a boost. I am not a pepper person as far as lots of pepper go like Mike and Shawn.

Anyway here is a link.

www.amazon.com/dp/B01ABSQ4N2/ref=dp_cerb_1

Aerogarden has comparable ones for more money, but less wattage.

I am sure other can suggest other options as well. If you have a hydro store locally, they can help as well.

[thegrindre]

I bought this back in June. It comes with a 'T' and two stones to service two machines. Less then $10.

www.amazon.com/Aquaneat-Aquarium-Airline-Tubing-Accessories/dp/B07C5F8HJP/ref=pd_bap_rp_11?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=PS39Z6RRP62JAR1J8TPZ

If you want to add more machine only then here's some additional supplies.

www.amazon.com/dp/B074CYC5SD/ref=sspa_dk_detail_12?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B074CYC5SD&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExSEk5MEQySFBDVUVJJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjI3MzkxMk9SME9EWDIwSk9WVyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMjU2NDUyRExPMUFTVTdVN0RDJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Do you notice a considerable difference in your project outcome using the extras compaired with no additional air? Just curious.

[thegrindre]

Yes I do. It's like giving the plants steroids. Well, maybe not steroids but the plant looks greener, stands taller (perkier) and just grows better. It is subtle after all, it's just a plant.

Yes, the plant(s) like it.

I think one of the reasons I don;t have them any more was the lack of ellectrical outlets and my hesitation to use so many strips around the house. Between the lamps, the machines, the computers, the tv, the land line, the kitchen appliances..large and small..all those cords look horrible.

[ERR0R1755]

I picked up a couple of the 10-gallon Whisper air pumps about a month ago, as well as some tubing and a pack of small air stones. My plan is to use the one for my Harvest (or both my Harvests if I get a splitter) and to use the other for a 5-gallon bucket DWC.

I've got some bird pepper and ground cherry seeds that are taking forever to germinate (current at two weeks with no signs of sprouting) but I've decided that regardless of whatever I put into my Harvest next, I'm going to try the air stone and hope it's quiet enough.

[Sher]

Nov 18, 2019 8:52:56 GMT -5 @cornne said:

Do you notice a considerable difference in your project outcome using the extras compaired with no additional air? Just curious.

Corinne, what I have learned from side by side tests on Youtube by vloggers I have learned to trust (like Khang Starr) is that aeration can actually slow lettuce down. It must disturb their roots too much. It doesn't make a noticeable difference with basil.  Where it helps is with peppers and other larger vegetables, and with sufficient volume of air can make a significant difference.

I put a tiny 0.42 liter per minute airstone in my pepper and tomato Bounties.  I don't think it is enough to affect growth. I did it just to keep the roots healthier after my pepper root problems.

It probably also helps cool the water a little.

My opinion is that if you are happy with the way your AGs are performing, then you don't need to add airstones.

I will be using more powerful air pumps in my DIY units because they won't have the drip feature.

And again, based on side by side tests I've seen, the drip method Aerogarden uses outperforms the others.

[Shawn]

I always wondered if I should get air stones or not.  I never did.

[Happy]

Q#1:

I'm working hard to keep mold/algae/fungus to a minimum.

Do you think that airstones would help?

Q#2:
Since I'd like to keep the water temp as cool as possible in my older (Ultra) units, can you tell me what number setting I should use on my pumps?

[Sher]

Happy, airstones are supposed to help with algae because it prefers stagnant water.  I don't know about mold, but my (wild) guess is that they would have a harder time in moving vs. still water as well.

I am using 5 minutes on and 25 minutes off. That is the default Harvest setting.  My water is much cooler now, and the plants are growing fast.

Even if it does make a difference, I would happily give up maximum growth speed for healthy plants.

[Shawn]

Maybe I will purchase some to try.  Can you tell me do they need an outlet to plug into?  How do you set them up?

I would be using htem in my Bounty

[Sher]

Shawn, they will not help with algae on the top of pods. Only in the water.

In deep water culture, you need a more powerful pump. But in the Aerogarden, you already get oxygenation from water falling.

These may or may not help you. But I am using these tiny pumps because they are silent and put out a gentle stream of bubbles which has to benefit the roots. (They have gone up $2.00 since I bought mine.)

smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QPLKDXP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If you get them, you will not hear them if the airstone is sitting right. If not, they are noisy. Just move the stone until it is not vibrating against the tank.

Also, they don't tell you this, but push the air hose hard into the pump until it clicks 3 times.  Then shove the other end of the air hose into the Bounty hole. It will be hard.  After you (finally) get it in, use a pair of needle nose pliers to pull it in long enough to grip it with your fingers. It will then pull easily. Shove the airstone onto the tubing and push it until it reaches the stone to prevent air leaks.

I really don't think you need one. I just love playing with hydroponic toys.

And yes, it needs an outlet.