Lets Build a Bubble Bucket *Step by Step*

[Gloran]

Hey all i finaly made it to the hydro store today got the rest of my needed materials, if its cool with rumple then il post a pic once everything is good and goin with a sprout in it and keep u updated on progress.

[dirtyduane]

I am going to take your advice and grow in soil first.

I was looking on craigslist and was wondering if this is a good deal. $250

This system is a couple months old. I have two.They come with everything you need. And a couple options.
Ballast-Cord Set- Bulb- Reflector
-The ballast is Hydrofarm Xtrasun 600W HPS for both lights.
-Cordset is 15' for both.
You can have either- 600w Agrosun Red (built in reflector, and hanger/dew guard)
OR
Hortilux Super 600w HPS bulb and Xtrasun Air Coolable Reflector .
The Agrosun red will put 10% more light on the canopy, but if you want to duct it then its not the one for you.
If you are just going to have 1-3 600w Lights, and you have proper ventilation/cooling, you wont NEED to air cool/duct the light.
So its your choice. Let me know.

it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

[Rumpleforeskin]

Seems to be a fair price. The size of your lamp will depend on how many plants you are going to grow and the space/ventilation restrictions. Get the air coolable hood.

[Gloran]

Hey rumple, i was calculating the cost per month that my 150w hps light will run me doing 12/12. but i was jsut wondering if the bulb is strictly 150w or is there some hidden energy cost to run it along with the 150 w bulb? not including the fans and ect. that i will be using.

[t33to]

Hey Rump,

My garden is thriving! So much props to you and your experiences and your kindness for sharing it all with us.

I have some questions about the water changing though.

How did you arrive at the 10 day interval for staying safe? I am onto day 13 and I do not feel nore see a hint of scum or anything what so ever. I'm curious if I can just let my plants drink their containers nearly empty?

Now that the water level has dropped, the roots closest to the net pot are THICK and huge... They look like they are from a small tree. Is it ok for those roots to get wet again?

Off topic on this question. How close can plants get to a bulb before it becomes damaging? Is it just a matter of how much heat they are forced to deal with or is there actual radiation emitting from the bulb that can cause them harm too. I've read 12" is as close as you ever want a plant to a bulb, but mine grow so quick, they were about 8" from the bulb and they didn't seem to care. There is a lot of air flow near the bulbs so I figured it was ok for them to be that close? What do you think?

Thanks again man.

[Rumpleforeskin]

Originally Posted by t33to

Hey Rump,

My garden is thriving! So much props to you and your experiences and your kindness for sharing it all with us.

I have some questions about the water changing though.

How did you arrive at the 10 day interval for staying safe? I am onto day 13 and I do not feel nore see a hint of scum or anything what so ever. I'm curious if I can just let my plants drink their containers nearly empty?

Now that the water level has dropped, the roots closest to the net pot are THICK and huge... They look like they are from a small tree. Is it ok for those roots to get wet again?

Off topic on this question. How close can plants get to a bulb before it becomes damaging? Is it just a matter of how much heat they are forced to deal with or is there actual radiation emitting from the bulb that can cause them harm too. I've read 12" is as close as you ever want a plant to a bulb, but mine grow so quick, they were about 8" from the bulb and they didn't seem to care. There is a lot of air flow near the bulbs so I figured it was ok for them to be that close? What do you think?

Thanks again man.

You may have misunderstood the technique I'm using to maintain nutrient in my buckets.

I don't change the nutrient in order to keep scum from growing inside. I change nutrients only when I have added back a certain amount of water or switching to a new cycle.

You have to try and maintain your nutrient level 1" below your net pot at all times (regardless of cycle). DO NOT LET IT GO EMPTY OR HALF EMPTY. EVER.

Here is the method I use (read the last part to understand top-off):

General Hydroponics Flora Series Feeding Strategy - Lucas Formula

G-M-B (Grow-Micro-Bloom)
0-5-10 - For Vegetative cycle (24/0)
0-8-16 - For Flowering cycle (12/12)

The numbers above indicate the number of milliliters (ml/cc) of Flora Grow, Flora Micro or Flora Bloom formulas that I use in one gallon (US Liquid) of nutrients.

You will notice I dont use any of the "Flora Grow” formula, do not need to, the "Flora Micro" provides plenty of Nitrogen.

1. Top off the reservoir daily using a pH corrected water solution as required to maintain full reservoir level. After adding back an amount of water equal to the amount of your reservoir capacity you should change the reservoir and put in fresh solution.

[t33to]

Oh hrm... well my water level is about at half it's full capacity. Why is it important to not let it get lower than that? What do you suggest I do now? Should I just raise the water level up to the point where this big thick roots begin?

I thought every 10 days you dumped the water completely out of your buckets and put in fresh solution and I thought that was to avoid algae build up and scum. I understand the top off method and and the Lucas formula. I am using the two part solution as you suggested. I am getting pretty good results I think for a first attempt Hydro.

[Rumpleforeskin]

What do you suggest I do now?

I suggest reading the feeding formula and following it. I replace my nutrients every ten days during flowering becuase that is how long it takes me to add back the capicity of my reservoir. Mine wont be the same as others, it was just an example.

Avoiding the build up of pond scum might just be an added benefit. It is not the reason I do the water add back method though.

The less nutrient you keep in your system, the higher the PH swings and nutrient deficiency.

[t33to]

Thanks man.

[chundo]

ive got a good question,,, that i asked before and wasn't answered... if you can please help by telling me what is the fill hole for in the bubble bucket, when, why and how its used...

[sizzlasia]

Originally Posted by chundo

ive got a good question,,, that i asked before and wasn't answered... if you can please help by telling me what is the fill hole for in the bubble bucket, when, why and how its used...

pretty sure it was answered, so you can pump nutrients from the central bucket to the outer buckets for an exchange/recirculation

[Juggalo420]

Hey R,

If you don't mind could you look at my last pic in my gallery. It looks like the top leaves are getting burned by the light or something. I also just noticed that you told someone else it is critical to keep the nutes level 1" below the net pot at all times and I haven't been doing that. I was letting the plants suck up the last of the diluted nutes and the water level got pretty low, probably 6" below net or more. I am wondering if that is possibly the cause and next time I will switch out the nutes earlier. Just as a note, I've decided that my closet is not big enough so I want to buy one or two of these tent encloseures http://cgi.ebay.com/HYDROPONIC-GROW-...742.m153.l1262 and one of these light setups http://cgi.ebay.com/Digital-400-watt...742.m153.l1262 Can you give me your opinion on these tents and this light setup, thanks man.

[Rumpleforeskin]

Originally Posted by Juggalo420

Hey R,

If you don't mind could you look at my last pic in my gallery. It looks like the top leaves are getting burned by the light or something. I also just noticed that you told someone else it is critical to keep the nutes level 1" below the net pot at all times and I haven't been doing that. I was letting the plants suck up the last of the diluted nutes and the water level got pretty low, probably 6" below net or more. I am wondering if that is possibly the cause and next time I will switch out the nutes earlier. Just as a note, I've decided that my closet is not big enough so I want to buy one or two of these tent encloseures HYDROPONIC GROW TENT cabinet box 56" x56 hut hydro home - eBay (item 180196808303 end time May-10-09 13:34:43 PDT) and one of these light setups eBay Can you give me your opinion on these tents and this light setup, thanks man.

The tents are nice except they stand out like a sore thumb. If stealth is not a factor, then it is a good deal on an air-tight room and will do the job.



I like wood rooms for a lot of reasons. They seems to blend in with some paint and a few accessories. Wood will insolate the noise better as well. Being able to add a dead-bolt is a must.

I have seen lots of grow rooms made real simple. Buy two dozen 8 foot 2"x2". Screw them together to make a frame that fits your needs. Screw on sheets of 1/2 melamine (particle board with a smooth white finish) to make the walls. And one pre-hung interior door will finish it. A bit more work then the tent, but it looks like a closet when your done. Write "Paint Locker" on the door.

I dont like any reflector that is not air-cooled.

$244.95





I like the deal that I list below from Maryland Hydroponics:

Lumatek Ballast

• Lumatek Ballast Wattage : 400/120
• Cord Set : Hydrofarm cord/socket
• Reflector : Hydrofarm Cool Tube
• Warranty : 5 YEAR

Total: 227.01

I would have added the light bulb, but they are so damn cheap at Lowes/Homedepot it just seemed like a waste. Real hard to beat.
This system is all brand name stuff. Lumatek solved that RF problem years ago and don't require a shielded cordset. I would watch out for any digital ballast that requires one.

[Gloran]

Hey R, i went to the website u suggested but i cant find the parts that you have up there. or more so the only part with the picture i found was the kool tube. other then that it just lists a bunch of them with no pics.

[Rumpleforeskin]

This is the website I order the Lumatek from:
Lumatek System

You need pictures?