Best Air Pump for Hydroponics-2021

Relentless population growth has led folks to seek new ways to multiply natural resources. Primarily, horticulture has seen many advancements in the form of hydroponics or hydroculture. Based on the surging trend, many hydroponic kits are now used frequently by people to practice green thumb. When it comes to hydroculture, in addition to other equipment, air pumps are considered vital. Although, there are numerous other devices to serve a similar purpose as an air pump. However, in this article, the point of discussion will be the "best air pump for hydroponics." 

We intend to explain all the basics regarding the best air pumps for hydroponics. Starting with what air pumps are, how do they work? Why they are essential for hydroponics and some of the best air pumps for hydroponics 2021. 

What are air pumps?

As hydroponic is a gardening technique that involves growing plants without soil. It might sound astonishing because traditionally, plants could not have been thought of growing in water only.

This technique, though, does not involve planting plants in soil. Instead, nutrient-rich water is used for providing food for the roots of the plants. Hydroponic gardening may seem easy, but one of the biggest struggles is to aerate the water regularly because no one would like their plants to die due to the absence of oxygen. That is where air pumps come in for the rescue. 

Air pumps are the aerating devices that pump oxygen into the water in the form of tiny air bubbles with the help of air stones and air tube lines. They are essential for hydroponic plants because such plants have only their roots submerged in water. Moreover, stagnant water quickly runs out of oxygen, and then the plant may eventually die. So it is necessary to supply oxygen to the nutrient solution in which the plant roots are submerged using an air pump.

How does an air pump work?

An air pump mainly consists of three components: the air pump, air stones, and tubing. An air pump is a machine that one must keep outside the water reservoir and produces oscillations for producing air. With the help of tubing, this air reaches the air stones attached at the other end of the tubing. Air stones are known for diffusing oxygen into the water reservoir. The air stone increases the surface area, and thus, more oxygen diffuses into the nutrient solution in the form of tiny bubbles. The oxygen diffusion in the nutrient solution keeps the mineral ratio in control. Furthermore, the oxygenation of nutrient solution keeps the plant alive by enhancing the absorption of nutrients by the plant's roots.

Why are air pumps needed for hydroponics?

It is almost impossible to grow plants using the hydroponic gardening technique without doing much to aerate the nutrient water properly. The nutrient solution used in hydroponics stays stagnant for long periods, and the absence of oxygen can let the plant wither in no time. Instead of growing, the plant will die quickly. Therefore, it is vital to employ some mechanism to regularly oxygenate the plants' reservoir. 

That is why people use air pumps for straight twenty-four hours to avoid losing their plants.

Best air pumps for hydroponics 2021

Based on how vital oxygenating the nutrient solutions is in the hydroponic gardening technique, we have shortlisted some of the best picks as best air umps for hydroponics 2021. 

Before moving onto the list, it is essential to understand that air pumps vary in their functionality and efficiency from brand to brand. Moreover, we advise our readers to be mindful of the duration of the air pump and the noise they generate before making a purchase. These factors either make your choice great or make you regret it. 

The air pumps in the list below are from the best sellers online. However, this list is generic with respect to the size of the water reservoir. Therefore, folks should pay attention to the size of their water reservoir well before buying an air pump online. 

AQUANEAT Powerful Hydroponic Aerator Pump

Aquarium Rechargeable & Portable USB Air Pump

HITOP Dual Outlet Air Pump

HITOP Adjustable Air Pump 

hygger Mini Air Pump

Uniclife Air Pump 

UPETTOOLS Ultra Silent Air Pump

Hydrofarm Active Aqua Air pump

The bottom line

Hydroponic is relatively a modern technique for gardening. As it does not involve soil for plant growth, it has become convenient for people to grow plants indoors and outdoors without being afraid of bugs or mosquitos. That has always been common due to humidity in the sol. However, for growing plants using the nutrient solution, one must identify the best air pump for hydroponics to make sure the plants grow well.