Lets Build a Bubble Bucket *Step by Step*

[mordgrow]

my first grow was hydro, got 20oz outta 4 plants

I dont think its too much for a newbie, i've never done anything like this ever and i did alright.

Originally Posted by Rumpleforeskin

Very nice bud shot 4:21oops! That one looks damn healthy

I am not filtering my water (I use great RO water), I just filter the floating junk in my system with that filter.

I hear ya R, I've seen pics of your plants and I know you are giving them RO "0" water. (Pure) The pic there is of one of my bubblebucket Hashberrys about 3 weeks into flower. I couldn't ask for better results. The buckets work beautifully but as to one posters comments about just starting out...You are absolutely correct, stick with soil first. There are many things to consider when providing everything that your plants will need. The big 3 are air, water and light. And they need to be sufficient enough to sustain vigerous growth. There are as many ways to do this as the day is long so one needs to find their own comfort zone and go on from there. (hope that helps) or search youtube for "I grow chronic" Really helped me tie up all the loose ends.

Rumples, You are filtering out the other junk in the mix? Excellent! I feel thats a huge hinderance to uptake too. Pure water and nutes is what works the best and I feel that right after a water change, for me, is when they are the happiest. Peace

[ocitown]

My local hydro shop says they get best results when adding 25% tap H2O to an RO/nute solution,What do you guys use?

Originally Posted by Rumpleforeskin

Very nice bud shot 4:21oops! That one looks damn healthy

I am not filtering my water (I use great RO water), I just filter the floating junk in my system with that filter.

[mordgrow]

makes no sense to use any tap water if you have an RO filter set up.

just use 100% RO

[Rumpleforeskin]

ocitown, don't listen to another thing the guys at that hydro store have to say. As a matter of fact stay out of there. Buy online for now on.

[burnweed]

for the air pump tubing outside teh bucket could i just wrap it in duc tape than a aluminum tape around them both? does pond scum fuck your plant up that much?

[Rumpleforeskin]

Just buy black tubing, it's $3. I don't know much about pond scum. I have not had any issues with it yet.

[Mycroft]

Originally Posted by ocitown

I guess in theory that could make up for some micro-nutrients that might be missing from your ferts?

Did these guys say why that was a good idea?

[ocitown]

That was a long time ago and i didnt like much of what they had to say inc. that you must change your nutes every week and that trying to build any hydro syst. is futile.Never went back after that.

Originally Posted by Rumpleforeskin

ocitown, don't listen to another thing the guys at that hydro store have to say. As a matter of fact stay out of there. Buy online for now on.

[ocitown]

They sold me 3 gal. of the GH,i would think GH flora micro has plenty.

Originally Posted by Mycroft

I guess in theory that could make up for some micro-nutrients that might be missing from your ferts?

Did these guys say why that was a good idea?

[ocitown]

They only said

They only said that plants just grow better when using some tap water rather than straight RO.

Originally Posted by Mycroft

I guess in theory that could make up for some micro-nutrients that might be missing from your ferts?

Did these guys say why that was a good idea?

[DogsTooth]

First off, EXCELLENT tutorial !!!! Question: why does the clear tube for the visual water level, feed back into the top of your bucket? I have other questions, but will tackle them one brain cell at a time
Thanx

[Rumpleforeskin]

Why top hole for visual level tube?

This is a good question. The sight indicator has to be open at the top in order to work. I could have plugged the top of a clear tube and poked a real small hole in the plug to allow air to excape as the water level rises. Or just left it open all the way at the top. This would work if I used a ridgid glass or plastic tube that would always stay upright. The problem is if the tube bends or falls over it will drain your whole bucket. The Waterfarm unit I used had an open sight tube held in place with a clip. It was the cause of a few spills.
So I plumbed it right back into the bucket at the top to keep it from spilling or ruining my grow. It seems to work better and is alot stronger.

I hope this answered your question. Not an easy one to explain.
Peace, R.

[DogsTooth]

hi again Thanx for the quick reply. I was thinking of clamping the tube to the top rim(small hole and plastic tie; similar to the airhose tieoff), and save drilling, etc., the top holes. (I am the 2nd laziest ass on this planet )
Now, for topping off nutes, adding water, etc., I saw at one point you had relocated your fill hole to the lid (single bucket setup).
What would be wrong with pouring your nutes and water thru the net pot and hydroton? Would it be better, as fluids would rinse thru the top of the rootball?
Again, trying not to drill another hole, heheh.
Thanx, DT
Lemme fire one up and I can properly word my next question, LOL

[DogsTooth]

To have the reservoir bucket maintaining the fluid level in the 2 "grow buckets", I see you have them connected from the bottom drain of the reservoir, into the ball valve at the bottom of the 2 growbuckets. Open the valves and the 3 buckets should adjust to identical heights. That part I understand. But it appears you have an upper hose feeding back (???). Or is this a vent that you have connected to keep a closed system? Would the net pot, with the plant and hydroton, etc, be adequate to vent the air so the buckets would fill to level?
Thanx, DT