Aquarium power heads vs. airstones

[jcommerce]

I was wondering if anyone has used an aquarium powerhead in their bubble bucket or other, similar hydro method. It would seem to me that you'd get better water and air circulation (and you can draw outside air for bubbles) with a powerhead. I've been thinking about trying it but I've been wondering if the roots would clog the intakes of the powerhead. See the link below to see what I'm talking about (you can also see the air intake line. I would think that if you're diligent about making sure the intake or intake tube is clear, you'd have a better circulating, better aerating method.

http://www.swelluk.com/img/shop/orig...erhead-kit.jpg

Thoughts?

[lostbyyou]

If any one can tests this i might be really happy!

[jcommerce]

I'd be really surprised if no one has tried this method. Think about it this way: Fish need oxygen in water to breathe, which they transpire through their gills / Roots have microfibers for aspiration similar to fish gills. Powerheads are designed to circulate and aerate to improve condition for fish. Why wouldn't the same apply to roots?

I have four buckets running now in early stages of veg. Maybe I'll put powerheads in two and leave the airstones in the other two and see if there's any difference.

[lostbyyou]

If you do let me know how it works out for sure dude. I wish someone had tried this and would tell us whats up.

[krly]

Back in the OG/CW days a guy named NIMBY did a lot of posting. He started with a DWC bucket, then changed to powerheads and ended up with powerheads WITHOUT the air tube attached. They were quiet and worked GREAT....("standard" Wal-mart powerheads)
krly

[Rabiez]

I run a fair variety of powerheads, with no major problems.

A bit of some old tarts' stocking over the intake will stop roots getting jammed up there, along with any other crap that's in your water. Alternatively, you can buy powerheads with a small foam filter attached, which work well.

Powerheads tend to be rated in litres, and as long as you buy the correct size for your reservoir, it'll take care of oxygenation without any problems.

The downside for me, is the noise;
The hum from the unit itself (underwater, no venturi (air bubble pipe), no surface agitation) is louder than an airpump, and variable in tone and volume.
With the venturi attached most of them make far more noise than an an airstone. Removing the venturi means the output has to be aimed so that it agitates the surface of the water quite vigorously, which causes more noise with the splashing than an airpump and stone.

IME airstones are cheaper and quieter, not to mention simpler and more reliable.

[jcommerce]

Thanks for the feedback, I figured at least a few people out there had tried it.

[Widowman64]

I just recently switched to powerheads. I was told that the way airstones work is that they create air bubbles that float to the top and burst. When they burst the oxygen gets restored into the water. The way powerheads work is they are constantly putting oxygen into the water without the bubbles. Powerheads will give you much better results than any airstone you buy will.

[Rabiez]

*gazes into 300 litre tropical aquarium*

Originally Posted by Widowman64

The way powerheads work is they are constantly putting oxygen into the water without the bubbles.

That's a misleading statement, to say the least.

Powerheads employ exactly the same principles as airstones to oxygenate water; surface agitation.

The fact that many powerheads now come equipped with a venturi (be it of a modular design, or retro-fit as in the OP's case) to add bubbles to the output stream is a testament to that.

Without venturis (bubbles), powerhead units are nothing more than small water pumps.

[jcommerce]

Originally Posted by Rabiez

Without venturis (bubbles), powerhead units are nothing more than small water pumps.

I must disagree just a bit with this. Surface agitation does in fact aerate water. I know this as a 20 year+ fresh and saltwater aquarium hobbyist. While venturis do add more air to the mix, the disturbance and flow of water surface does aerate the H20. I've had many successful experiences when I'm setting up a new tank (fish) and breaking down another where I've kept fish alive and well by only having a powerhead suction cupped on the bottom of a holding bin (like a rubbermaid) and aimed upward to break the surface. They have been fine for as long as a month and I'm sure they would have been fine even longer.

[Rabiez]

Originally Posted by jcommerce

I must disagree just a bit with this.

You're disagreeing with my statement that powerheads are just pumps?

Perhaps you'd care to enlighten me as to these other 'secret' workings of a powerhead; venturi excluded, what does a basic powerhead do apart from 'suck up water at one end and squirt it out of the other'?

Or is it something else you're disagreeing with?

Surface agitation does in fact aerate water. I know this as a 20 year+ fresh and saltwater aquarium hobbyist. While venturis do add more air to the mix, the disturbance and flow of water surface does aerate the H20.

*kills self in despair*

[IGotTheCottons]

Powerheads would be best left in the reservoir to avoid roots growing into them. Put airstones in the actual buckets. You can never have too much O₂ in a DWC setup.

[jcommerce]

Originally Posted by Rabiez

You're disagreeing with my statement that powerheads are just pumps?

Perhaps you'd care to enlighten me as to these other 'secret' workings of a powerhead; venturi excluded, what does a basic powerhead do apart from 'suck up water at one end and squirt it out of the other'?

Or is it something else you're disagreeing with?



*kills self in despair*

No ill will intended Rabiez. I just kind of took from your post that powerheads just pump water and don't aerate w/o the venturi. I was just making a point of clarification. Peace brotha...

[HD p1ss jug]

Power heads create high velocity air flow into a column of moving water. the air stone puts low velocity air into stagnant column of water. It just seems that the power head would "mix" the air into the water better. Tucking it away from the root growth area would be a challenge, but i could see leaving a space open in a 6 to 8 plant planter for a power head and a float valve. Not sure what kind of flow the roots could take. You should try it. Go ahead, You dont want a silly protein skimmer on your 300G aquarium.

[HD p1ss jug]

The venturi should never be excluded when mixing.... It's basic engineering.. the velocity vs area leads to a magnificent simple machine. and the venturi is simple in concept and operation, so why would you ever think of excluding it? but it is all bubbles no matter how ya blow them.