Lets Build a Bubble Bucket *Step by Step*

[PurpleZebra]

rssxy: Some will work for both

[ocitown]

A good nute pH meter can best be used in soil measuring the soils water runnoff.

As far as using the Lucas system with a ppm meter,i feel using R/O and a meter is the easiest method as this will allow the solution to be used the whole grow if not two(as lucas has said).

Light leaks and high temps can necessatate a solution change prematurely,but if no light enters the system and temps. are not too high one can keep the solution the whole grow when using both meters.

[minutemade]

let me get this straight, i been reading and reading and reading and i keep on hearing different things. from my understanding of how to change out water/nutes etc. you take a hose/tube and connect it to the drain at the bottom and have the other end going into another empty bucket and let it fill up. after the empty bucket is now full you adjust the nutes/ph and then you connect the hose/tube to the top plug (the fill) and lift up the empty bucket some height so that the bucket you just adjusted the nutes in drains into the main bucket.. right?? im so confused.

[Rumpleforeskin]

I don't adjust PH by draining. I adjust right in the buckets and mix with a small pond pump.

You can drain through the drain valve if you can drain to a lower level. If you can't drain to a lower level, then you will need a small pump. Get a pump anyway, it will make your life easier. Filling is done through the fill valve/plug or right through the net pots.

[minutemade]

Originally Posted by Rumpleforeskin

I don't adjust PH by draining. I adjust right in the buckets and mix with a small pond pump.

You can drain through the drain valve if you can drain to a lower level. If you can't drain to a lower level, then you will need a small pump. Get a pump anyway, it will make your life easier. Filling is done through the fill valve/plug or right through the net pots.

That's where I'm confused, you say that you adjust the PH in the bucket itself.. so how do you adjust it without removing the lid? You still need to drain out right? (a small sample to test at least) and then you see how much ph you add back and add it back?

[Mac11]

I have a question do for you Rumple...

What water level do you usually try to maintain? Right below the hydro basket? Allowing the bottom of the basket to be submerged?

Or do you change this as the plant grows? Higher for seedlings and lower for mature plants?

[Rumpleforeskin]

I set the nutrient level 1"below the baskets. I mark the sight gage so i can see how close I am to the right level.

I adjust my setup through the reservoir. It has a ld that I can take off. Before I had a reservoir I would draw a sample through the drain into a cup. I would use a long eye-dropper and insert some PH up or down through the fill plug and mix with a pond pump.

[Sativa_Lover]

Amazing explanation, something on the "to do list" +rep

[t33to]

I have a question!

If I wanted to use DWC to grow one hellah mother plant, would I be able to use the same nutrients consistantly over and over again?

The plant would be left indefinitely in the 18/6 lighting time.

Of course I'm sure changing the water every week is still a good idea.

[Rumpleforeskin]

I would not do DWC for mother plants. You don't need rapid growth and soil is much more simple.

[t33to]

Define rapid growth?

I do not know very much about mother plants. If you cut a node from it, does it grow back from the same spot? I thought it didn't, so rapid growth would important in this case.

[Rumpleforeskin]

Most folks do hydro for fast harvest times. Less time in veg to get the correct finish height. Mother plants will grow just fine in soil. You can do it in DWC, but most of would not want the extra work keeping the PH and nutrients level at the right place, just to get a few cuttings off it every month or so.

[t33to]

Good point. Now that I think about it. I should have DWC for my Mini SOG. I guess that would make more sense.

Do you mind me asking what light(s) you use for your motherplant? Wattage, Brand etc.

[Rumpleforeskin]

I have four 2' basic florescence tubes. Mix warm white with cool white. I have used only cool white and it worked as well. I was told it's best to mix the colors.

[t33to]

Do you have much success with your clones? Do you ever "not" root one?