Lets Build a Bubble Bucket *Step by Step*

[mrtwomuchskill]

Going to beg the Mods to sticky this wish me luck dudes

[Rumpleforeskin]

Wow! Thanks mrtwomuchskill. I just looked at your signature for the first time.

They already have a step by step bucket build in the sticky, it just lacks pictures. Over in the Advanced Growing Techniques they have a sticky made in 2004 called Bubble bucket hydro method 101. Real good info, I just did not like the part about using duct-tape.

Again, thanks, R.

[IceCold]

this is a great guide! the step by step with pictures is very well organized.

why not just use a black 5 gallon bucket instead of taping?
http://underbid.com/action/display/i...ku/461210.html

[mrtwomuchskill]

yeah I seen that guide before and its all talk and no links LOL. We have to make out with the old and in with the new, and to many overgrow links in there that dont work anyway.

[DiAmOnD RaStA]

*stickied*

Good thread Rumple, like the pics.

2muchskill... Instead of out with the old... in with the new... how bout we just squeeze a little closer so everyone can stay? lol

[Rumpleforeskin]

why not just use a black 5 gallon bucket instead of taping?

Black buckets will work real good. I looked all over my local area for some when I did my first build. I would still use them if I could get my hands on some.

Folks will say black absorbs light, but with a taped or white painted lid it would not matter. Black buckets are hands down the best color. I would still tape the whole thing for my grow, because I like everything silver. My white buckets leak light if the tape falls off or gets torn.

A great tip from "IceCold".
Thanks, R.

[fdebozo]

pleas forgive me if i sound irritated. because i am. only because i am really excited to get this bucket completed.

this seems like a basic issue (but i have not heard anybody even address it).

i bought all the PVC connectors/fittings and for the most part, when i try to screw in the threaded parts together, it will only go about half way and then stop. only a few are ok and, with some resistance still, will screw in all the way, but for most of these parts i cannot get them to screw in all the wya for the life of me. i am not a weakling and i am so frustrated w/ this.

is there some step i am missing? lubricant? anything?

i've already checked for stripped threads....none to be seen.

please help me!

-fred

[Rumpleforeskin]

They all should be that way. They make the threads slightly oversize, so when you screw them together the threads will make a water tight seal. It is the same with metal pipe.

If you use both O-rings (one on the inside of the bucket and one on the outside), the fittings will screw together by hand and form a good seal. You might need to use a wrench on a few of them, but be careful not to over tighten. You want both O-rings to be compressed a little. If the O-ring starts to push out, back off a half turn.

This setup will be water tight, but not so tight you cant rotate the fittings. I feel your pain man, I did the same thing when I first started to work with PVC.

R.

[fdebozo]

yea seriously dude my hands are hurting bigtime LMAO.

fortunately i bought supplies for 2 buckets and i think i have successfully finished 1 bucket.

about using a wrench, however, it is harde to get a proper angle on the grips for the bottom drain and sight level holes.

and my hands are still hurtin haha.

thanks for this super fast response btw. and also for this post overall! great information.

[fdebozo]

welp i figured id post a follow-up. even a noob's experience is worth a lesson, i say.

although i had some trouble initially w/ the tightness of hte threaded PVC design, i worked it through.

unfortunately, on the first bucket while dirlilng the bottom hole for the sight-reader, the bit or my arm strnegth pushed too much force into the hole causing a very small tear from the edge of the hole out 1cm. this ruined my seal down there and the sight-reader was leaking.

I decided to seal that hole up instead using some marine adhesive sealant. i might add, however, that i completely sealed the hole w/ the freshly applied sealant by placing a nickel on the duct tape that sealed formt he outside and then duct taped the inside seal. so even though that stuff is water proof, if the rig doesnt fail the water will never even touch it.

so yeah, i just selaed those holes and drilled fresh holes on the other side of the drain hole. with CARE and steady drilling holes. you don't wanna rip/make cuts other than the actual hole!

thanks again for this thread.

-f

[iaintu72]

what size pump do u use ? ive had bubblers but got a lot of pond skum as u say i it was thought it was because i was trying to run to many buckets off the one pump please in ligthen me

[fdebozo]

have you made certain there are no light leaks in the bucket?

also, do u scrub the inside of the bucket down really well when you refill?

this is more for prevention, but it can help a lot.

[frieds39]

Sick Post!!!!

[Rumpleforeskin]

decided to seal that hole up instead using some marine adhesive sealant. i might add, however, that i completely sealed the hole w/ the freshly applied sealant by placing a nickel on the duct tape that sealed formt he outside and then duct taped the inside seal. so even though that stuff is water proof, if the rig doesnt fail the water will never even touch it.

I feel it's a big mistake to patch a hole or rig it so it wont leak. A new bucket will cost you $5 bucks and you probably have enough tape to do another bucket. Dont risk it to save $5 bucks. I had a bucket leak while trying rubber washers insted of O-rings, It was 30 days into flowering. With no way of removing the whole plant to work on the bucket, I had to kill her. Very sad day for both of us.

Best to do it right and clean. R.

[Rumpleforeskin]

what size pump do u use ? ive had bubblers but got a lot of pond skum as u say i it was thought it was because i was trying to run to many buckets off the one pump please in ligthen me

I have tried six or seven brands and sizes (have a box full of um). They all worked fine. I did settle on the duel diaphragm pump from General Hydroponics. No one has told me the more bubbles the better, but I think it is so.

I can't help much when it comes to pond scum issues. I have never had it come up yet. I cant remove my buckets and clean them between nutrient changes because the plants are fixed in a screen. Yet I still have no scum. I do clean them with bleach and water after harvest. I drain and change nutrients every ten days or so. It could have alot to do with my method of feeding. I use the Lucas Formula. Very simple and seems to work good.
Best of luck, R.