DIY 3 Gallon Rubbermaid DWC

diggitydank420

Well-Known Member
For each Bubbler you are making you will need the following:

(1) 3 gallon "Rubbermaid" tub (I purchased mine at Lowes)


(1) tube silicone caulk (got @ mao-mart)


(1) 10" air stone (walmart aquarium/pet aisle)


(1) air pump (walmart aquarium/pet aisle)

(1) 8' air hose (walmart aquarium/pet aisle)

 

diggitydank420

Well-Known Member
The first version of this design had the air hose going in through the lid and then down to the reservoir. It works, but the tubing gets in the way of the roots at times.

So now I'm putting the airstone inlet on the outside of the tub now resulting in a much cleaner setup.

Here's how to do it!
 

diggitydank420

Well-Known Member
1. Of, first on the to-do list is finding out where to place the hole for the air pump inlet. I suggest having a friend help by holding up the tub with the air pump against the side to a bright light so that you can see where to punch your hole. You can mark it with a sharpie or punch it up in the air, that's what I did.

!!! careful though, don't go too high or too low or the alignment will be off. I found that a tiny bit low works best !!!

 

diggitydank420

Well-Known Member
I would have shown us doing this hole, but we didn't have enough hands to hold a camera, but this is the end result:
 

diggitydank420

Well-Known Member
Now get your airstone and your caulk.

Put a dab of the caulk all around the base of the inlet shaft and don't be stingy, you want a good seal. And put some big gobs on the bottom of the airstone as well, it's gonna be an adhesive.

 
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diggitydank420

Well-Known Member
Now take the end of the hose and push it through the bottom hole:



Pull through until it leaves just a little bit of slack:



Cut away the excess tubing



Seal the hole with silicone:

 
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diggitydank420

Well-Known Member
Let the silicone cure for at least 24 hours just to be certain and you're done!

Just hook up your air tube to the outside and you're ready to bubble!



I would love to hear any feedback and/or suggestions for version 3
 
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