Building a DWC system- air pump question.

If using 8- 5gal buckets (4 for mothers + 4 for clones) what size/output air pump would be recommended??
I'm currently looking at the ActiveAqua 110liter one that goes for around $65-$70. Wanted to see if that would be overkill on air and go with a less powerful pump or should I go with bigger is better? Thanks for any input and advice. I will eventuality have pics of the entire build and run down of the setup once its all up and running.

I would use one rated for a 10-20 or 20-30 gal tank.
Sunleaves rock airstone is awesome and will handle a 20-30 gal tank rated pump no prob.

SLeUTh said:

If using 8- 5gal buckets (4 for mothers + 4 for clones) what size/output air pump would be recommended??
I'm currently looking at the ActiveAqua 110liter one that goes for around $65-$70. Wanted to see if that would be overkill on air and go with a less powerful pump or should I go with bigger is better? Thanks for any input and advice. I will eventuality have pics of the entire build and run down of the setup once its all up and running.

Click to expand...

That pump will work nicely...with capacity to expand, good choice

redi jedi said:

That pump will work nicely...with capacity to expand, good choice

Click to expand...

Agree, you can run a lot of buckets with that pump. It is quite loud though. You can use any of the smaller active aqua commercial pumps if you plan on staying with only 8 buckets.

I plan on mounting it to a slab of granite and placing it outside the tent. Noise isn't a big concern on this but I'm shooting for simple and low heat lighting. Summer temps are brutal and ventilation is tricky for the location. Ordering the pump and thinking the Quantum Badboy t5 4ft 8b or the 4ft Hydrofarm 8b tomorrow so if anyone has any input on either of those it is appreciated. Im trying to also be as cheap as possible but my standards have been spoiled to much to just throw something together.

that will do good, more air the better. make sure to use good stones like the aluminum oxide(i think) type. smaller bubbles and crud will not build up on them

Sleuth: 8 times 5 = 40 gallons so that's at least your minimum. Before I went back to dirt this spring I was planing on a multiple 5 gallons DWC/bubble tubs operation like yours and I found an air pump, I don't remember the brand name, it's carried at most hydro stores, and it has eight outlets. I like the the simplicity of having one pump that does it all. I hope this helps. HSA

Oh.you doin one pump for all buckets.My bad.When I did DWC I ended up using a pumps for each individual tub.Made things easier without using gangvalves to equal out airflow.

I use the same air pump for 12+ 2.5 gallon buckets that I split off each individual outlet. Works awesome, never an issue cept the air blasting roots off some time. They don't mind it makes em tougher.

BigBuddahCheese said:

I use the same air pump for 12+ 2.5 gallon buckets that I split off each individual outlet. Works awesome, never an issue cept the air blasting roots off some time. They don't mind it makes em tougher.

Click to expand...

I really think this is in part, a reason why your roots are so white and clean looking. When I converted my grow from the big tote to two and then four buckets and grabbed 2 new airstones, I didn't realize they were bigger than the ones I had previously. So, I have two buckets where I have to turn the air pump down a bit, because the airstones are pushing more air throughout the bucket and the other two buckets with smaller stones with their air pump on full blast. Guess which roots look better? I often find pieces of root floating in those two buckets.

Which reminds me, I think I am going to grab some bigger airstones for the other two buckets.