How do you guys clean your air stones?

kratos015

kratos015

Well-Known Member
So I'm having this problem where after 1-2 batches of tea my air stones stop working like they did when I bought them. I tried soaking them in hot water with soap for an hour and that didn't do the trick. What do you guys do to clean out your airstones? Or do you just buy new ones when you need them? Buying new stones is good and fine for my indoor grow, but outdoor season is coming soon and I'm gonna need a lot of tea and I don't want to keep spending a ton of money on airstones if I don't have to. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
Nullis

Nullis

Moderator
Air stones are cheap, you can probably buy them in bulk and get them cheaper. They will also disintegrate over time and the plastic piece will break away.

Common methods are boiling and\or hydrogen peroxide. I soak mine in hydrogen peroxide for a day or whatever, then let them bubble in tap water for a while, which I discard.
 
Doobius1

Doobius1

Well-Known Member
Somebody told me aquarium stores sell an air stone cleaner. He made it sound like it was some kind of brush. Dont know any more about it than that.
 
Sativied

Sativied

Well-Known Member
How about connecting a water pump to it, and then pump and circulate some water+bleach/h202 through it? Should be a fun sight for those with high pressure gear :)
 
Cann

Cann

Well-Known Member
soak in concentrated solution of EM-1 and water (or some sort of lactobacillus dominated culture) for a day or two. rinse with water and a scrubby brush...

works every time
 
kratos015

kratos015

Well-Known Member
So then hydrogen peroxide should do the trick? I'm gonna go pick some of that up when I hit the store today because I need more pantyhose for teabags, would rubbing alcohol do the trick as well?
Cann said:
soak in concentrated solution of EM-1 and water (or some sort of lactobacillus dominated culture) for a day or two. rinse with water and a scrubby brush... works every time
Click to expand...
This stuff sounds awesome, I looked up lactobacillus and from what I read it's just a bacteria that will eat all the stuff clogging my airstone most likely? That'd make cleaning the buckets easier too I'm sure! I can't seem to find any on Amazon though, is it the powder or liquid form? And do hydro stores usually carry it? Thanks everyone for all of your help!
 
SpicySativa

SpicySativa

Well-Known Member
Ya... I got fed up dealing with air stones, so I built a vortex-style brewer. No more air stones to deal with. :)

I used to soak them in peroxide, which might get you an extra brew or two, but they still die pretty quick. I've also heard soaking in white vinegar can dissolve the biofilm, but never tried it.
 
sullivan666

sullivan666

Active Member
kratos015 said:
So then hydrogen peroxide should do the trick? I'm gonna go pick some of that up when I hit the store today because I need more pantyhose for teabags, would rubbing alcohol do the trick as well? This stuff sounds awesome, I looked up lactobacillus and from what I read it's just a bacteria that will eat all the stuff clogging my airstone most likely? That'd make cleaning the buckets easier too I'm sure! I can't seem to find any on Amazon though, is it the powder or liquid form? And do hydro stores usually carry it? Thanks everyone for all of your help!
Click to expand...
You can make your own lactobacillus very easily and not only will it keep your air stones clean, but it's very beneficial for your plants as well. Here's a video with an extremely detailed procedure for making it and using it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG4M71vMbTs
 
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