Lets Build a Bubble Bucket *Step by Step*

[Rumpleforeskin]

Originally Posted by Whodi

Do you think 10-20 gallons buckets would yield much more and lower the maintenace a bit?

Even a 6 gallon bucket would be better then the 5. The more nutrients you can hold, the less your PH/EC swings. Not sure about yeilding more, but I am sure about less maintenance. I wish I could add a 20 gallon reservoir, but I have no space. If you can do it, do it.

[johncs320]

Originally Posted by Rumpleforeskin

To this day everyone says my hydro is good but the soil had the best flavor. I still keep my mother plant in Vic's soil mix. Don't add any plant food to that mix or it will ruin it. It is fine with only water, as long as your plant is in 3-gallon or bigger pots.

The bubble buckets stay full of nutrients the whole time. You should read this whole thread. After reading my thread, if you still have questions, I will be glad to try and answer them.

Good luck, R.

Hey rumple, I'm starting a new grow possibly using these dwc bubblers. I was curious as to why you chose these bubble buckets as grow method instead of soil since everyone says that soil produces better buds and its easier?

[Rumpleforeskin]

Good question. I get two hydro harvests to one soil harvest. It is way faster. That is a simply answer, but it is why I do it.

[Gooch]

Originally Posted by OG Line

Hey Rumple, I have a question for you maybe you can answer it? If instead of straight water could you put carbonated water in the bucket? or maybe some kind of mixture? I only say that cause it would cause a lot more bubbles. Or would that kill the plant because of to much co2? thanks for any help you can provide.

As rumple said just water, filtered if you got it. The leaves breathe co2 while the roots need oxygen. If your looking to add more oxygen to your water then buy some concentrated food grade hydrogen peroxide (like ViaOxy) about 30-35% pure and add a little to your water but make sure to let it sit for 30 mins before watering with it. The bottle should have dosage instructions on it, mine does anyway but can't remember I think I add about 10ml for my 10 gallon Res. Plus the conc. hydrogen peroxide is great for cleaning your equipment between harvests.

[Gooch]

Sorry I meant 10ml to a 5 gallon res, oops.

[OG Line]

Originally Posted by Gooch

As rumple said just water, filtered if you got it. The leaves breathe co2 while the roots need oxygen. If your looking to add more oxygen to your water then buy some concentrated food grade hydrogen peroxide (like ViaOxy) about 30-35% pure and add a little to your water but make sure to let it sit for 30 mins before watering with it. The bottle should have dosage instructions on it, mine does anyway but can't remember I think I add about 10ml for my 10 gallon Res. Plus the conc. hydrogen peroxide is great for cleaning your equipment between harvests.

thanks Gooch. I don't think I'm going to try that but have you tried that method personally?

[Gooch]

I'm on my first grow which is soil but I do add some hydrogen peroxide to my water before using it on the plants. Everything is going great so far. My next go round I'm gonna use a couple Bub. buckets and see how that goes.

[jtthunder]

Hey Rumple,
so...

You fill the middle bucket up untill the water level stays at the desireable point in the sight indicator, (means that all the buckets are at that level) then as the plants suck up the solution you add just ph ballanced distilled water or do you add more nutrient solution?

depending on what u add back when u add back the total amount of your resevior you flush and change nutrient solution.

do i have this right???

also, could you possible go more into detail as to why you have tubing running from the top of your buckets and what your pond pump is doing. ive read the whole thread and i still do not understand this.... unless the pond pump and lid tubing are parts to a recirculating DWC then i do understand i believe that for right now i will not use this method (mostly just becuase i dont understand it well enough)

please and thankyou rumple

[Rumpleforeskin]

Your not the first to ask me why I have that hose plugged into the top of my bucket. The answer is kinda dumb. I am only hanging it there when the pump is not in use. The damn thing tends to drip if I leave it on the floor.

I don't have any great pictures of the plumbing that hooks all three buckets together. It is just 1/2" PVC. I place it in the back of my buckets and it is hard to see. (the black cord is the power supply to the pump)




The pump:::::: The suction side of the pump is hooked to the drain of the center bucket (red handle) via a short hose. The discharge is not hooked to anything other then a long hose. I stick the discharge hose into an empty bucket when draining or plug it into the top of a bucket when circulating or mixing.




In this picture I am circulating the nutrients. I will place it in the bucket to the far right after the left one starts to overflow. Do this a few times and everything will be mixed good.





I use that pump for all kinds of stuff:



To know how I mix my plant food, you would have to read the lucas formula. I only add-back water.

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.

Hope this helps, R.

[jtthunder]

i understand this now
thanks alot
this thread is great

[jtthunder]

i dont know what the demensions of your closet are butit looks smaller than mine. My closet is 3 1/2 feet wide X 5 feet tall X 2 feet 2 1/2 inches in depth. do you think it might still be too small to grow 3 plants with an empty bucket resevior?

[Rumpleforeskin]

Simple answer is: Stick all the buckets in the closet and see if they fit. I am real tight with my three.

[OG Line]

Hey Rumple,


I have question.....What type of Lighting do you use? I was looking at a few HID's and I wanted to know what would be best for a 2 plant set up using your bubble bucket design.

[Rumpleforeskin]

I use a 400 eballast. A 250W HPS ballast with a conversion MH bulb for veg would be a good setup for two plants.

a) how does this not over water the plants?
b) do i let the plant grow in soil before i put it in the hydroponic medium, that way instead of having a rooted seed submersed in water, just the bottom roots are??