Looking for DIY Bubbleponics system

[Capita]

I saw a DIY set up a wile back for a single plant bubbler system with a fish tank air pump and a small bucket. If no on can find it then i have a few questions.

What size bucket should I use. How big should the pots be and how big should the net pots be . And I have a single air pump with 2 hoses will this be enough air for 2 pots?

 

[fitzyno1]

A 5 gallon bucket with lid is a nice size.
5 inch net pots.
What is the rate of your air pump?

 

[Zhu]

you gonna need a airstone too dont forget. A good one for a 5 gal bucket build is a 5 1/2 inch. Also I have had the best bubbleponics experience with the tetra whisper 100.

 

[fitzyno1]

Anything like this would be just right
240 Lt /hr AIR PUMP SMALL FISH POND AQUARIUM QUARANTINE on eBay, also Pumps Valves, Ponds Water Features, Garden Plants, Home Garden (end time 15-Sep-08 22:15:10 BST)

 

[Capita]

AQUA CULTURE

20 - 60 Gallon/Double Outlet

Aquarium Air Pump- Model MK-1504, AC 120V 60HZ MAX 3.5W

Ya I wanna put the plant in rock wool and then surround the rock wool with the stone.
And thanks for the ebay post it looks like i have a pump that is a good enough size for two 5 gallon post am i correct?

 

[Zhu]

I don't like hailea very much. They are a cheap knockoff of azoo products and are not very good quality. azoo, tetra, and marineland products are where its at.

 

[fitzyno1]

AQUA CULTURE

20 - 60 Gallon/Double Outlet

Aquarium Air Pump- Model MK-1504, AC 120V 60HZ MAX 3.5W
Yep. That pump is ok

Ya I wanna put the plant in rock wool and then surround the rock wool with the stone.
Are you sure you dont mean you'll put the plant in rock wool and then surround the rock wool with the clay pellets/Hydroton, and put the air stone in the nutrients to keep the nutes arrigated

Hope that helps

 

[fitzyno1]

I don't like hailea very much. They are a cheap knockoff of azoo products and are not very good quality. azoo, tetra, and marineland products are where its at.

I'm using that actual pump at the minute, and i can't say a bad word about it.

 

[Capita]

Ok thank for clarifying where to put the airstones. Also I am planning on using this for 2 pots not one I was going to run a hose from each outlet into a pot is this pump good for 2 pots. Also at the end of each hose do i need to put something like a bubblewand on then end to get better airation or is it better off sticking the hose at the bottom of the airstones?

 

[fitzyno1]

Yes i had an idea the air pump was for 2 pot, when you asked in your first post, "will this be enough air for 2 pots?"
Yes, it's perfect for 2 pods.

Is a bubblewand an air curtain?
If so, your better with an air stone in a bubbler pods.
An air curtain is better in a long reservoir.

 

[theotherc]

Ok thank for clarifying where to put the airstones. Also I am planning on using this for 2 pots not one I was going to run a hose from each outlet into a pot is this pump good for 2 pots. Also at the end of each hose do i need to put something like a bubblewand on then end to get better airation or is it better off sticking the hose at the bottom of the airstones?

Do you mean airstones as in the gravel like stones you use for a fish tank?
I dont think that would be good.
I recommend something like
https://fifthseasongardening.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=526_29_375&products_id=935&osCsid=c4aaedce7cfa6eb93ba3cd188fdd3f63

Since it will be a bucket, you can flex them to fix around it. They are super easy to clean. You can find them alot cheaper, just wanted to show you a example.
When you hear airstones these are what most peeps use
https://fifthseasongardening.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=526_29_375&products_id=934&osCsid=c4aaedce7cfa6eb93ba3cd188fdd3f63

these type stones you can get at walmart or any retailer that would carry fish stuff, usually cheaper as well. I heard though, since most are made of limestone, they can create a build up on them over time. I like the hose.

 

[Capita]

Do you mean airstones as in the gravel like stones you use for a fish tank?
I dont think that would be good.
I

I thought I might have needed a gravel like stone at the bottom of the bucket to slowdown alge growth most people do this?
Also where should the water level reach the net pots?

 

[Capita]

up.............................

 

[phillypete]

You don't need rocks in the bottom, and although it probably wouldn't hurt (as long as they are not limestone) it will make changing your water an extra pain.

The water level can be wherever you want it to be. If I were to use a 5 gallon bucket I would leave at least 6" below the net cup, but that is just me. You will see when you fire it up -- water will be all over the bottom of the lid -- that is why this works so well.

I also gave up on airstones. Just poke holes in a piece of air tubing and wind it around. It takes a little practice to figure out how to cut the holes to make them the perfect size. I use a little screwdriver that is sharpened and just poke a hole every 1/4 - 1/2 inch or so and then wind that around the reservoir. Airstones and air line are cheap, buy a little bit of each and see what gives you the most bubbling action.

Good luck,

PP

 

[Capita]

You don't need rocks in the bottom, and although it probably wouldn't hurt (as long as they are not limestone) it will make changing your water an extra pain.

The water level can be wherever you want it to be. If I were to use a 5 gallon bucket I would leave at least 6" below the net cup, but that is just me. You will see when you fire it up -- water will be all over the bottom of the lid -- that is why this works so well.
Doesn't the water have to touch the net pots, why would it be 6 in below the pots then? I though the water would have to come at least half way up into the net pots?




I also gave up on airstones. Just poke holes in a piece of air tubing and wind it around. It takes a little practice to figure out how to cut the holes to make them the perfect size. I use a little screwdriver that is sharpened and just poke a hole every 1/4 - 1/2 inch or so and then wind that around the reservoir. Airstones and air line are cheap, buy a little bit of each and see what gives you the most bubbling action.

That's a good idea I got a lot of extra line laying around ill see what I an do.

Good luck,

PP

quuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuusss

 

[eLiguL]

If im not mistaken, you are trying to make a DWC(Deep Water Culture) unit??

If im correct then here a few things you should know.

1. The water level inside your bucket/rubbermaid/container should be approximetely 1in below the netpot when your plant is young.

2. When the roots of your plant have grown out of the netpot and into the water, you can drop your water level to whatever you want. Keeping the water level lower helps prevent root rot(brownish slim).

3. Make sure you have a good pump, keeping the water aerated is key to growing this style.

4. Root rot is the biggest downside to growing DWC, stay pro-active and try to keep your water temps down.

5. Airstones have become a matter of preference, some people prefer it some dont use it at all. I find that using an airstone keeps the noise level down, the downside is that these airstones become clogged with nutes over time.

If you have any more questions try googling "DWC, hydro" and im sure you will be able to find a ton of info.

 

[Capita]

Ok thank for clearing up what the system is called. I was wondering b/c bubbleponics did not turn up many results on a search.

The water level inside your bucket/rubbermaid/container should be approximetely 1in below the netpot when your plant is young.

I dont understand this b/c how will the plant get any water if its 1 inch blow t net pot. The plant roots are still not long enough to reach. Shouldn't I be flooding the pot a little bit to at last touch the roots/ rockwool cube

Its the pump I have still ok for this system with two 5 gal buckets . I also have a airstone's but they arenot very big its a little smaller than a size of a thumb this ok?

 

[phillypete]

The bubbles spray water all over everything. If you have enough air bubbles going it doesn't matter how far away the net cup is...the bottom will still get wet and the water will wick up through your grow medium.

Just grow already...you'll see

 

[Sinsay]

how about a aerogarden ? could cost a little more (99 dollars) but its compact
join the group for aerogarden users to learn more

 

[eLiguL]

The water level inside your bucket/rubbermaid/container should be approximetely 1in below the netpot when your plant is young.

I dont understand this b/c how will the plant get any water if its 1 inch blow t net pot. The plant roots are still not long enough to reach. Shouldn't I be flooding the pot a little bit to at last touch the roots/ rockwool cube

Its the pump I have still ok for this system with two 5 gal buckets . I also have a airstone's but they arenot very big its a little smaller than a size of a thumb this ok?

The bursting of the bubbles near the surface will cause moisture to reach the roots. This is why the water level is so close to the netpot initially.

There is no exact science to tell you if you have enough dissolved oxygen in your water unless you buy a tester pen. If your plants look droppy then it usually means you dont have enough bubbles in there. A rule of thumb most people use is, make the water bubble like its boiling.

If you have anymore questions or just wanna do some reading on this method:

International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums - One for the newbs: cheap and simple hydro, but very effective

Enjoy and good luck!