5 Best Air Stones for Hydroponics
In deep water culture hydroponics, forgetting about aeration will almost certainly result in stunted plants and a low harvest. Fortunately, we have air stones to provide the necessary aeration to ensure that every hydroponic system is productive.
In my years of experience as a hydroponic gardener, I’ve tried a variety of air stones on the market. This rich trial and error experience was aided by the expertise of the Your Indoor Herbs team and expert hydroponic gardeners. Here, we present the 5 best air stones you can get!
The best air stone for hydroponics is the Vivosun Cylindrical Air Stone.
Don’t worry if you think that this air stone is not appropriate for your hydroponic reservoir! I included two more options that may be best for your reservoir size and type.
Read on to discover our list of awesome air stones to choose from!
| Runner Up | Best Overall | Great Compromise |
|---|---|---|
| Vivosun Air Stone Disc with Shell | Vivosun Cylindrical Air Stone | Aquaneat Cylindrical Air Stone |
| Air Stone Disc with Shell (Amazon) | Vivosun Cylindrical Air Stone (Amazon) | Aquaneat Cylindrical Air Stone (Amazon) |
| Air Stone Disc with Shell (Ebay) | Vivosun Cylindrical Air Stone (Ebay) | Aquaneat Cylindrical Air Stone (Inside Hydro) |
| A durable choice built with a shell that protects the stone. This is the best for hydroponic reservoirs with large water capacities! | An efficient air stone that produces many fine bubbles, even with a low wattage pump.It’s the versatile choice—fit for every hydroponic system! | A cheaper option that can do the same benefits as our top choice! |
| Product Features | Vivosun Cylindrical Air Stone | Vivosun Air Stone Disc with Shell | Aquaneat Cylindrical Air Stone | Pawfly Air Stone Ceramic Disc | Pawfly Air Stone Bar Bubble Diffuser |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jetting Volume (liter/minute) | 2.5 | 12 | 2.5 | 2 | 2 |
| Dimensions (diameter x height in inches) | 2 x 4 | 8 x 1.2 | 2 x 4 | 1.5 x 0.7 | 8 x 0.8 |
| Shape | Cylinder | Disc | Cylinder | Disc | Bar |
| Weight (grams) | 330 | 1320 | 680 | 250 | 55 |
| Pump Wattage Needed (watts) | 4-8 | 16 | 8-10 | 2-4 | 7 |
| Air Line Tubing Needed (diameter in millimeters) | 4 | 8 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 |
1. Vivosun Cylindrical Air Stone—Best Overall
With its large size of 2 inches in diameter and 4 inches in height, this cylindrical air stone from Vivosun can aerate 1 to 6-gallon deep water culture hydroponic buckets—a versatile choice. It is also power efficient as it only needs a low wattage of 4-8 W to produce an airflow of 2.5 liters/minute.
| Product Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Jetting Volume (liter/minute) | 2.5 |
| Dimensions (diameter x height in inches) | 2 x 4 |
| Shape | Cylinder |
| Weight (grams) | 330 |
| Pump Wattage Needed (watts) | 4-8 |
| Air Line Tubing Needed (diameter in millimeters) | 4 |
| Soaking | 2 hours of soaking in water before use |
You can also get Vivosun Cylindrical Air Stone here on Ebay.
Pros
1. High Suction Power
One of the things we actually need in an air stone is a high suction power—a major characteristic of Vivosun’s cylindrical air stone. Higher suction power equates to more bubble produced, thus more aeration and more oxygenation in the hydroponic reservoir.
2. Power Efficient
This air stone just needs a low wattage (4-8 W) air pump to produce a high amount of airflow that can feed the roots of your hydroponic plants.
To recap, the optimal amount of airflow required in a hydroponic system reservoir is 0.5 liters/minute per gallon of water. Because the cylindrical air stone from Vivosun produces 2.5 liters of air per minute, it can aerate hydroponic reservoirs holding up to 6 gallons of water.
3. Versatility
Due to its high suction power and large size, Vivosun cylindrical air stone can oxygenate both small-capacity (1-3 gallons) and large-capacity (4-6 gallons) deep water culture buckets.
4. Produces Fine Bubbles
Aside from its high power, the stone itself is also designed to produce finer bubbles of approximately 0.5 to 1 mm in diameter, compared to other air stones in the market. Having finer bubbles also means more dissolved oxygen levels, which is beneficial for your roots’ health.
5. Covers Sufficient Space to Distribute Bubbles
This air stone’s large size (4 inches in height) is a distinguishing feature. Most air stones on the market are only 1-inch tall, so using this larger air stone will ensure that fine bubbles are distributed evenly throughout your hydroponic reservoir.
6. Sufficient Weight for Anchorage
This air stone is quite heavy as well. This factor is vital because it ensures that your air stone is securely anchored at the bottom of the hydroponic reservoir.
7. Quiet
Who wants a loud hydroponic system? No one, I bet. Of course, operating a hydroponic system, especially indoors, is preferable if everything is quiet or produces little noise.
Cons
1. Needs Regular Cleaning
The Vivosun cylindrical air stone is prone to clogging. As a result, it is best if it is brushed on a regular basis for optimum performance. It is also a good idea to clean it every 6 weeks by soaking it in disinfectants such as hydrogen peroxide or bleach.
2. Leaking Air
Another issue that some gardeners face regarding this air stone is air leakage. Some reports indicate air escaping from the white portion of the air stone.
Solution: You can use epoxy to prevent air from escaping your air stone. Apply it to the top of the air stone to ensure that the pressure goes inside and is diffused through the stone itself.
2. Vivosun Air Stone Disc With Shell—Runner Up
Vivosun’s Air Stone Disc with Shell is the largest and heaviest on our list. This means it is compatible with large deep water culture hydroponic systems—not only buckets, but even rectangular reservoirs!
| Product Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Jetting Volume (liter/minute) | 12 |
| Dimensions (diameter x height in inches) | 8 x 1.2 |
| Shape | Disc |
| Weight (grams) | 1320 |
| Pump Wattage Needed (watts) | 16 |
| Air Line Tubing Needed (diameter in millimeters) | 8 |
| Soaking | 2 hours of soaking in water before use |
Pros
- Jetting Volume and Aeration: With the production of 12 liters of air per minute, it can supply oxygenation for hydroponic tanks that hold 24 gallons of water.
- Weight: Its heavy weight, along with the provision of three suction cups, makes it easy for you to fix it at the bottom of your reservoir.
- Bubble Production: This air stone produces dense and fine bubbles that can increase the dissolved oxygen levels in your hydroponic water.
- Surface Area: Due to its large diameter of 8 inches, it covers more area in the hydroponic tanks, thus bubbles are dispersed efficiently. This factor makes it fit for buckets and rectangular tanks.
- Durability: Since it is built with a protective shell, this air stone is more durable.
Cons
- Air Leakage: Like the product above, air leakage is also an issue for this air disc. Epoxy can also be used to prevent this problem.
- Needs Regular Cleaning: This also needs regular cleaning using a brush since there could be instances of clogging. Every 6 weeks, it is advised to also soak it in disinfectants such as hydrogen peroxide or bleach.
You can also get Vivosun Air Stone Disc With Shell here on Ebay.
3. Aquaneat Cylindrical Air Stone—Great Compromise
With almost the same features as our top product in this list, Aquaneat’s cylindrical air stone is cheaper—making it a great choice for compromise. However, it needs higher air pump power of at least 8 to 10 watts.
| Product Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Jetting Volume (liter/minute) | 2.5 |
| Dimensions (diameter x height in inches) | 2 x 4 |
| Shape | Cylinder |
| Weight (grams) | 340 |
| Pump Wattage Needed (watts) | 8-10 |
| Air Line Tubing Needed (diameter in millimeters) | 4.8 |
| Soaking | 2 hours of soaking in water before use |
Pros
- Jetting Volume and Aeration: Aquaneat’s cylindrical air stone can also provide airflow of 2.5 liters per minute which is good for deep water culture buckets of at most 6 gallons.
- Weight: It is also a heavy option, thus it will most likely stay at the bottom of the tank.
- Bubble Production: This option also creates plenty of bubbles which increases the dissolved oxygen levels that your hydroponic roots’ need.
- Surface Area: Since it is larger than conventional air stones (which are 1 inch in height), the bubbles it produces cover a larger surface area. Thus, this product is ideal for deep water culture buckets.
- Price: A cheaper alternative compared to the top 2 products from our list!
Cons
- Power Consumption: Since it needs 8-10 watts to perform ideally, this air stone will consume higher electricity, so it can result in more expensive electricity bills.
- Air Leakage: Air leaks from the white portion of the air stone as well.
- Needs Regular Cleaning: Because of the possibility of clogging, this should be cleaned on a regular basis with a brush.
You can also get Aquaneat Cylindrical Air Stone here on Inside Hydro.
4. Pawfly Air Stone Ceramic Disc
The Pawfly Air Stone Ceramic Disc, which comes in a pack of 8, is a small but powerful air stone that can be used with a low wattage air pump to produce medium-sized bubbles. This is best for small deep water culture hydroponic buckets that can hold 1 to 4 gallons of water.
| Product Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Jetting Volume (liter/minute) | 2 |
| Dimensions (diameter x height in inches) | 1.5 x 0.7 |
| Shape | Disc |
| Weight (grams) | 250 |
| Pump Wattage Needed (watts) | 2-4 |
| Air Line Tubing Needed (diameter in millimeters) | 4.8 |
| Soaking | 1 hour of soaking in water before use |
Pros
- Jetting Volume and Aeration: Since it has a lower jetting volume of 2 liters/minute, this air stone manufactured by Pawfly, is best for small deep water culture hydroponic buckets!
- Price: You can get 8 pieces of air stone discs for a lower price compared to other products in our list.
- Power Consumption: Because this air stone can work effectively with low wattage, it will consume less electricity!
Cons
- Weight: Since it is a lighter air stone, it may move around the hydroponic bucket.
- Air Output: For larger buckets, this air stone may not be the best because of its low air output. However, you can use 2 to 3 air stones per bucket to supply ample oxygen to your hydroponic plants.
- Bubble Production: This air stone does not produce fine bubbles, thus a lesser amount of dissolved oxygen is introduced in the hydroponic solution.
You can also get a Pawfly Air Stone Ceramic Disc here on Ebay.
5. Pawfly Air Stone Bar Bubble Diffuser
The Pawfly Air Stone Bar Bubble Diffuser is best for rectangular reservoirs because of its long structure.
| Product Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Jetting Volume (liter/minute) | 2 |
| Dimensions (diameter x height in inches) | 8 x 0.8 |
| Shape | Bar |
| Weight (grams) | 55 |
| Pump Wattage Needed (watts) | 7 |
| Air Line Tubing Needed (diameter in millimeters) | 4.8 |
| Soaking | 1 hour of soaking in water before use |
Pros
- Surface Area: Since it is a long air stone, the bubbles it produces will cover more area in the hydroponic water.
- Price: This option is also cheaper than our top 3 products.
- Jetting Volume: Best for small hydroponic boxes (1-4 gallons) since it only produces an airflow of 2 liters/minute.
Cons
- Weight: It is a lighter air stone. Thus, suction cups are included in the package to hold the air stone at the bottom of the reservoir.
- Air Output: This air stone has a lower air output, but multiple air stones can be used in each reservoir.
- Bubble Production: Only produces medium-sized bubbles, thus lesser amount of dissolved oxygen.
- Power Needed: Needs higher wattage of 7W to perform efficiently.
You can also get Pawfly Air Stone Bar Bubble Diffuser here on Ebay.
5 Factors to Consider When Buying Hydroponic Air Stones
Air stones provide hydroponic reservoirs with oxygen that helps the roots perform the necessary biological processes for plant growth. But I have learned based on experience that choosing an air stone is a decision that can make or break your hydroponic gardening.
Generally, hydroponic gardeners have to consider six factors when choosing the best air stone, namely:
- Dimensions
- Weight
- Shape
- Power Needed
- Jetting Volume
What kind of air stones should you get? I am sure this question will be answered when you finish reading this article! So let us dive right in!
1. Dimensions
An air stone must be chosen based on its compatibility with the hydroponic system’s reservoir. For instance, 1 to 6 inch-air stones are better suited with deep water culture hydroponic buckets. Whereas, air stones bigger than 6 inches in length or diameter are fit for rectangular hydroponic reservoirs.
Small air stones measuring 1 to 6 inches work best in a deep water culture bucket with a capacity of 1 to 2 gallons of water.
Larger reservoirs with capacities of 3 gallons and above, on the other hand, will perform best with air stones larger than 7 inches in diameter or length.
2. Weight
Heavier air stones are capable of sinking at the bottom of the hydroponic water reservoir, thus, ensuring a fixed anchorage.
This is a minor consideration, but it is also important since you need to make sure that your air stone is in the optimum position where the roots can access the bubbles it produces.
Some air stones, like the Vivosun Air Stone Disc with Shell, have built-in suction cups to keep them in place. Others, such as the Pawfly Air Stone Bubble Diffuser, include suction cups as additional accessories in their package.
3. Shape
Air stones are available in various shapes namely cylindrical, disc, bar, ball, and cuboid. Bar-shaped air stones are best for rectangular hydroponic reservoirs, while the other shapes work better with hydroponic buckets.
You may be wondering, can I use the cylinder, disc, ball, and cuboid air stones in rectangular hydroponic reservoirs?
The answer is yes! However, you may need to use more air stone rather than using just one. You can compute this by considering the number of gallons your reservoir can handle.
For instance, if you have a 10-gallon rectangular reservoir, you will need 3 cylindrical air stones. How did I arrive with this number?
Things I considered:
- Cylindrical air stone jetting volume = 2 liters/minute
- Required jetting volume= 0.5 liter/minute air per gallon of water
Since the required jetting volume is 0.5 liters per minute per gallon of water, one cylindrical air stone (which can produce 2 liters of airflow) can already supply the required aeration for 4 gallons of water.
Thus, if you have a 10-gallon reservoir, you will need at least 3 cylindrical air stones to supply the ideal airflow to your hydroponic solution.
4. Power Needed
Power consumption is another aspect every hydroponic gardener must look into. Bigger air stones generally need higher wattage, and vice versa.
Pro Tip: If you only have a small hydroponic system, only use an air stone according to its water capacity. This will not only save you a lot of money from electric bills, but will even ensure productivity of your hydroponic system.
If you use big air stones that need high wattage for a small hydroponic bucket (e.g. 1-gallon), you might have a more expensive electric bill, considering that deep water culture hydroponics gives off more harvests when the pump is on 24/7.
Not only that, too many bubbles in small hydroponic tanks can also raise the temperature of nutrient water, causing nutrients to dissolve at a faster rate and making the hydroponic water more acidic.
Explore more on this topic in our article on too many bubbles in hydroponics.
5. Air Jetting Volume
The jetting volume is a factor for air stones that is closely associated with the air pump. It is defined as the air stone’s capacity of producing airflow in a hydroponic water reservoir. The ideal jetting volume is 0.5 liters/minute of air per gallon of water.
If you are worried where you can find this, it is usually indicated in the air stone and air pump’s packaging. So you won’t really have to compute anything!
In terms of the air stone, the jetting volume increases as the air stone size also increases. The same is true with the air pump. A higher wattage will result in higher jetting volume.
Considering this, it is important that your air stone is compatible with your air pump. Here are some scenarios to help you visualize.
Big Air Stone Paired With Low Wattage Air Pump
The air pressure produced by the air pump will not immediately fill the air stone. As a result, only a few bubbles will be produced.
When there is a low amount of bubbles produced in a system, the hydroponic roots will be more prone to root rotting, which can further slow down the growth of hydroponic plants!
Small Air Stone Paired With High Wattage Air Pump
Many bubbles will be produced by the air stone. However, because the air pump has a higher wattage, it is more likely to overheat. This may cause damage to your air pump and, in the worst-case scenario, an explosion.
Another possible result of this scenario is a loud hydroponic reservoir.
Learn more about this in our article on loud hydroponic air pump.
| Air Stone | Jetting Volume (liters/minute) | Air Pump Wattage Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| Vivosun Cylindrical Air Stone | 2.5 | 4-8 W |
| Vivosun Air Stone Disc With Shell | 12 | 16 W |
| Aquaneat Cylindrical Air Stone | 2.5 | 8-10 W |
| Naludo Air Stone Ceramic Disc | 2 | 2-4 W |
| Pawfly Air Stone Bar Bubble DIffuser | 2 | 7 W |
Pro Tip: If you already have an air pump, choose your air stone based on the wattage of your air pump.
Are Air Stones and Air Diffusers Different?
The primary distinction between an air stone and an air diffuser is the size of the bubbles produced. Air stones produce larger bubbles with a diameter of 2 to 4 millimeters, whereas air diffusers produce finer bubbles with a diameter of 0.5 to 1 millimeter.
Another difference between the two is their larger role. The primary function of the air diffuser is to distribute fine bubbles throughout the hydroponic reservoir. Conversely, the primary function of an air stone is to generate bubbles and aerate the nutrient solution.
Share Your Thoughts With Us!
Having a high-quality air stone will ensure the productivity of your hydroponic garden. Since we are committed to providing the best of the bests, we made sure that this list is anchored on quality, compatibility, and affordability.
Your Indoor Herbs and Garden’s best air stones for hydroponics are:
If you think you have used an air stone with higher or the same quality as the ones in this list, contact us here!
FAQs
Should you pre-soak an air stone?
For optimal performance, most air stones on the market require pre-soaking in water. Pre-soaking air stones is essential to condition the air stone in the submerged setup, remove dust on the air stone surface, and disinfection.
How long do air stones last in hydroponics?
In general, air stones can last from 2 months up to 3 years. This wide range of lifespan is attributed to the quality of air stone and care measures applied such as cleaning and disinfection.
Should I leave my air stone on all the time?
In deep water culture hydroponics, leaving the air stone and air pump on 24/7 is required. This is because the roots under this hydroponic system are submerged in the nutrient water all the time. Thus, providing oxygenation will make sure that root rot will not damage the hydroponic roots.
Summary of Best Air Stones for Hydroponics
When buying a hydroponic air stone, one should consider the air jetting volume, dimensions, shape, power needed, and weight. All of these factors must be compatible with each other and more importantly, with the hydroponic system type.
Following a thorough review and deliberation, our team knows that the Vivosun Cylindrical Air Stone is the best air stone for hydroponics.
Source
- “Indicators: Dissolved Oxygen” by National Aquatic Resource Surveys in the United States Environmental Protection Agency
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