All plants, whether grown in soil or in a soilless hydroponic growing system, all need three components for living. They include water, oxygen and food. When plants grow in soil, the little nooks and crevices in the soil texture surrounding the roots of the plants are how the plants can receive oxygen via the roots. When the plant is grown in a hydroponic environment, however, it takes a little more planning in order to ensure that the roots receive the oxygen that they need. One effective way that indoor gardeners get oxygen to the plants' roots is through the use of hydroponics air pumps. There are many great hydroponics air pumps available, including the Alita linear air pump and the Eco Plus air pump, which are suitable for use in hydroponic gardening environments.

One type of hydroponic gardening that utilizes hydroponics air pumps is the deep water culture method. In its simplest form, a bucket is used to hold the plant food, which is a nutrient solution. Above this liquid, the crown of the plant is suspended above the liquid line, usually through the means of netting that is spread across the top of the bucket. This allows the plant roots to dangle down into the nutrient solution, and the plant takes up both water and food via the roots in this way.

The nutrient solution must be oxygenated for the plant to thrive, and thus a linear air pump can be used for this purpose. Although other methods avoid root rots and other problems with root exposure to liquid by moving the solution so that the roots do not remain under water, in the deep water culture system this can be a big problem unless hydroponics air pumps are used to oxygenate the nutrient solution to the point where the roots can stay submerged and not rot.

Many indoor hydroponic gardeners use the Alita linear air pump. The linear air pump is noted for being quiet while running, an important consideration for those who are gardening indoors. The Alita air pump also uses little energy to activate the pump. Starting at just twenty-six watts of power to run a 1.4 psi linear air pump, the Alita air pump also has no sliding components or parts that require lubrication, and thus it works very well to bring air to the plant roots without contaminating them.

The Eco Plus air pump is another popular brand. These air pumps come with a one-year warranty, and some are also available with a controllable variable output.

To learn more about air pumps and how they are used in hydroponic gardening, you can visit a discount gardening supplies website.