[RobsGreen]

Wow I can't believe I'm actually posting a thread like this, never thought I would be cloning! I needed to make a cloner and this project I managed to take pics all the way through so thought I would post a DYI. I have a small scale setup and want to speed things up so cloning is the way to go. I don't have a lot of room and wanted something that I can clone and veg in and then move to the hydro bucket without any shock which = loss time. I checked out a bunch on cloners on the net and decided the bubble cloner was for me, after all I do DWC which is the same thing and its seems like its one of the best methods. So my plan is to take clones from a mom plant, once they have roots I'll pick the best 2 and transplant them into a 6" net pot with hydroton pebbles, at that point I'll switch the lid on the cloner which the 6" pots will fit into. Then once I veg them until I run out of room in the veg area I should be able to simply move them over to the flowering chamber. Sounds good on paper, I think and hope it will work well. I'll be sure to keep this updated until the transfer. Here's how you make one.

Tools:
Drill
2 1/8" hole saw
1 3/4" hole saw
1/4" drill bit
Razor blade
Sharpie

Supplies:
Rubbermaid bucket with lid (24" x 16" x 8.75" in pic)
Hard foam garden knee pad (PlantSmart at walmart)
Heavy duty foam tape weatherstripping (1/8" thick and wide enough to fill the inside slot on the lid)
Tin tape
Big air pump (60g in pic)
Silicone air tube
Air stones


First you want to draw some holes on the lid for the clones to go, use the base of the 1 3/4" saw bit for a template.


Then drill them out with the 1 3/4" saw bit.


Then switch over to the 2 1/8" saw bit, important to use this type of bit and cut out some inserts.


Then clean them up a bit and cut a slit down the middle to the center hole. Then clean out the center holes with the 1/4" bit.


Now comes the hard part, tape the whole bucket and lid with tin tape, you want it light proof.


Then line the inside edge of the lid with the 1/8" thick foam weather stripping, this will keep the bubbling water in the bucket. You don't want anything thicker then 1/8" or the lid won't go on properly.


Next drill 2 - 1/4" holes on the back at the very top from the inside of the bucket for the air hose. Also glue the air stones to the bottom and the tubes in place, a glue gun works great for this. If you're going to have more clones then me then you might want to add some extra air stones and have them staggered.


Here's a look at the back.


And there you have it, a decent little bubble cloner. You might also want to add another 1 3/4" hole at the very front corner for checking PH and adding more water.




I'm sure you noticed the water level indicator, that's not really necessary and can cause problems later and may not even work. Right now I have it filled over the indicator which I expected but it may also be lower then it when I veg. I wanted it there for vegging, guess time will tell if it was worth it. If you want it like that its just 1/2" plastic pipe fittings from home depot. I have a rubber washer on each side and used heavy duty silicon all around for extra support, these containers are quite flimsy.