[phillykid]

I found this container that I wanna use for DWC, it's from home depot. It's about 25 gals, 31inX 13 X 14. I like it cause it's already black so no painting needed, and the longer rectangular shape will allow me to veg 3 plants in 6 in net pots and then I can remove the middle one and flower 2 on the ends per container. It's also really heavy duty, the lid says it'll support up to 170 pounds. How much air am I gonna need? I was thinking of using 2 airpumps with 4 air stones or I can use a gang valve and use up to 8 air stones (then i'd use 3 or 4 air wands with 4 or 5 airstones. is this enough air?

I saw this pump on a site:
https://www.discounthydro.com/airpumps.asp

the dual diaphram pump for 60 bucks, it says it can run 16 waterfarms, how many dwc 5 gallon buckets could this thing run? Maybe I can use 2 lines for the container above and 2-4 buckets on the other 2 lines?

thanks

[icough2getoff]

I have that GH dual diaphram. I used it on 4 5gal dwc buckets one grow and it was plenty of air for each bucket. I'm sure it could probalby do around 10-12 buckets if you really wanted. But I personally like a lot of air if possible and persoanllly I dont think I'd do more than 8-10.


However, the pump stopped working after about 9 months of use. Dont know why, it seems like a very solid pump but it just didn't sound as loud as it used to and it doesnt hardly pump anything anymore. Maybe I ran it too long with the valves half closed because that made it quieter and I was trying to hide my grow from my 3 roommates (stupid I know, but I pulled it off and now i have my own house)

[phillykid]

hmmm, 9 monthes huh? That must've pissed you off, did it just past warranty? Did you get another one or do you use separate pumps now? 60 bucks is a nice chunk of change to spend and I'd be livid if I spent that much on something that stopped working in less than a year. Maybe I'll ask around to see if anyone else has break down issues with this pump. thanks

peace

[icough2getoff]

yeah it was kind of a bummer, but I mean after a couple decent grows it's not a big deal. I use different pumps that I have lying around now for what I have goin on.

I just realized it does have a 1 year warranty, so I suppose I could probably check that out, but I never filled out any warranty card or anything.

Sounds like a good idea to see if it's reliable for others. I would bet that if I didn't shut all 4 valves half way off for most of that time that it would be fine. I always used to think it just seemed like a really solidly built pump anyways good luck

[BuzzBob]

Hey iCough! --

I am curious... You mention that you cranked down the volume in order to minimize noise?? How noisey are they when open full bore? i.e., On a scale of 1 to 10; 1 being "Can't hear it while sitting in the garden" to 10 being "Easily heard humming through cabs, floors, etc."


Personally, I am now using Aquarium Whisper Pumps; one per bucket, which are very quiet! A 1 on my scale above... I have to touch the pump to ensure it is running! I was using a model that was a few bucks less, but you could literally hear 'em throughout half the house!


-BuzzBob

[phillykid]

Buzz,
Is that whisper air, the 20-60 gallon one? I think it's 20 bucks at walmart, if I remember correctly. I'll have to pick one up and give it a try. I have an aquaculture pump 2800cc/min and a profile 4000 pump, I'm guessing it's 4000cc/min but both are a bit noisey. I've also heard good things about the elite 801 air pump. Do you use it for DWC? one per 5 gal bucket?

peace

[icough2getoff]

Bob, on your scale of 1-10, I would probably give it about a 7 when it was on full power. Here's a quick thing I drew of what i was doin. With no valve restriction, you could tell somethin was goin on in that bathroom, any time you were in my bedroom. However, with about half closed, I had a few people sit in that chair next to the door (which was always locked) and smoked bowls with them and they never even though twice about anything going on in there. Hope that answers your question


Click for Larger Image

[BuzzBob]

Yup! Sure does... Thanx!

I know when I swapped out the noisey air pumps for the Whisper line, I was extremely pleased!

Bottom Line, I would guess, is that anyone who wants to remain as stealthy as possible, prolly should not consider the GH Dual Diaphram, eh? -- Which is why I asked...

[BuzzBob]

Hey Philly! --

Sorry, I did not see your post before responding to iCough's latest...

I actually bought mine at a pet store... But I believe it is the same model offered at Wally World. If it says Whisper, then I'd say its a safe bet that the Mfg has taken steps to quiet it down from the norm...

The model I purchased {4, actually}, are dual outlet, and rated for a 60 gallon aquarium, I believe... Well worth it!

Oh, another thought I just had... Running multiple buckets on one air pump is a system with a pretty critical single point of failure. i.e., One air pump fails, and your whole garden suffers!

Just more food for thought...

[icough2getoff]

Bob, you're exactly right. If someone was looking for stealth/less noisy air pump, then I wouldn't reccommend the GH dual. Single, and dual outlet airpumps from my experience are much less noisy. I have a bunch from Wal-mart and I have to do the same thing you talk about as far as touching the pump to make sure it's even on.