Air pump 24/7 on

[Marlinman]

Just wondering.
I have 1 plant in a 27l dwc.
Small aquarium air pump with double stones. Pump is on 24/7 atm.
Does the air pump need to be on 24/7 or would it be enough to be on when the lights are on.
That way i could just put a double adapter on the timer.

 

[ppm Charlie]

I think you could activate the pump an hour or two before lights-on and be ok, however, the nutrient solution may degrade and start to smell without a continuous oxygen supply. I believe the bacteria (naturally there) in the solution would start to eat up all the oxygen without a continuous supply of oxygen. With depleted oxygen, the nutrient solution could become anoxic (devoid of oxygen) and smell bad as the anaerobic bacteria (nitrate loving bacteria) take over and start eating your nutrients producing methane, ammonia, carbon dioxide and various sulfurous gases. Think of a common septic tank smell and you get the idea. Probably best to keep the air pump bubbling continuously and the nutrient supply circulating in the tank (lights on or lights out) to avoid foul odors and a degraded nutrient supply.

 

[1ne eye]

Air pump on 24/7.

 

[ppm Charlie]

Bubble-on, my friend!

 

[Marlinman]

Its unanimous.
Pump on 24/7 then.
Might have to get a quieter pump to stay stelth