Big W Air Pumps & PH Test Kit - Yay or Nay?

[gramin]

Big W have some cheap air pumps. One is a single outlet and the other is a double. I think the double was $20-$25 bucks.

 

Obviously I don't want to buy a pump that might fail on me while I have a DWC grow going. Would I be better off going to an aquarium?

 

On a related note, I plan on running two DWC buckets and having a double outlet pump with an outlet per bucket. Is this a safe approach or am I better off going with 2 x single outlet pumps?

 

Also, the PH test kits at Big W only seem to go to 6.2 as the lowest PH indicator. This is obviously no good if you want to target PH levels of between 5.8-6.2 right? So I will definitely have to go to an aquarium to get one of these...

 

Cheers.

[nitram]

Go get an "Eterna" model

double your outlets 2 + or 4 depending on your grow ( ? plants)

You get what you pay for in return in the end.

 

Nitty.

[gramin]

I only have room for two so I'm happy to get a pump that is good enough for 2 and no more.

[Indycar]

I usually source airators from Aquarium shops, and go for the cheap single ones that pump out a minimum of 300lph (litres per hour). Also, I use two airators per bucket. That way in theory there's 10lpm (litres per minute) of air cycling with each DWC bucket. I'll always have a couple of spare pumps, just in case the odd one fails like they do from time to time. I'll also ditch all the airators after one or two grows, as they tend to wear out or shit 'emselves in that time. I spent my time buying apparen' top brand model airators, but from my personal experience, they aren't always reliable and can fail just as quick as the cheaper brands.

 

With that said, I haven't gone out and bought top of the range commercial compresser type airators. As I've never had the $$$ to go out and purchase one. It seems a big investment that can run several buckets. But one thing that has spooked me off them is if the compressor fails. All the DWC buckets airation fails. I'd rather deal with the odd single airator failing and replace it with a spare. Each to their own though

 

When it comes to PH test kits. I also go for the cheapies, you can usually pick em up from Hardware or Garden Nursury outlets for around the $5-$10 mark. Naturally you can go all out and buy a PH pen, but I haven't found a reason to justify that myself yet.

 

There's always a bit of trial 'n error involved while working out what best suits the individual grower. If you can do it without investing too many $$$ in the wrong areas, all the better. But never ever skimp on good lighting, ventilation and odour control.

 

All the best, gramin

[gramin]

I got myself an AquaOne 9700 pump which puts out 200l/ph per line. Hopefully this is enough.

 

I also got a round are stone ring which is about the width of a tennis ball. Hope it's enough juice.

 

Still no luck finding a PH kit which goes low enough. My last resort will be the local Hydro store or Ebay. I have to wait for next pay though now.

 

I've spent soooo much money... I got a heap of crap today but I still don't have everything! I'm getting close though, my list of things to get is fairly small!

 

Soon!