Bio-Bucket Rez / Powerhead

[capndaft]

Hey all,

I have posted over at ICMag as well.... just wanted some opinions from the good folks here at rollitup.

I'm doing a single 5 gal Bio-Bucket grow with a 20 gal rez to allow for time between fill up's.

I was wondering if anyone has good experiences with adding a powerhead for aquariums in their grows. I'm thinking of putting an aquaclear 30-50 in my rez and filling the filter with those bio-max balls from fluval. That or I guess I could just put grow stones in there as well. I will also have my 6" netpot completely submerged in water with growstones to allow bacteria to cultivate there as well. Main reason for the powerhead is to stir the rez and aerate it a little, along with giving more places for bacteria to grow and filter the rez water through it to have it nice and mixed up!

Im going to use the kiss method and use only maxibloom with some powdered kool bloom later on. I have some sub culture b that I was going to add to the rez after I bubble it for a few days to get rid of the chlorine. That or I brew some of heisenberg's ewc tea and use that. Thoughts/opinions on this?

I have read a ton and settled on this type of setup as I believe it would work best for me. Will be a single plant scrog.

as always.... your help and input is appreciated. Thanks for taking a look!

Capn

 

[Sencha]

I just happened to stumble on BigTokes, How to Bio Buckets, thread today. Until today, I've never heard of it. I've never seen this system talked about on RIU.

I like the concept. Incorporating the AquaClear filter is genius. Good luck to you.

 

[capndaft]

Thanks for chiming in! Yah... after all the reading I've done in the past 2 months..... It seems like the easiest system to use is the bio-bucket system with maxibloom as the only nute. Keeping it super simple. Brewing a little bacteria tea to start and then just water and nutes. I'm adding the bio-filter powerhead to house more bacteria and keep the water moving in the rez. I figure I'll call my system the Daft method. I'm building an aquarium for my plant. It doesn't swim, but i'm giving it the best possible environment in hopes that it will give me the best possible fruit! Aquariums house all kinds of organisms and seem to stay perfectly clean and clear with a powerhead and some beneficial bacteria. So my plants are going to have the same...... and of course they get a little maxi-food as well. Good enough for me. Simple. Real Daft-proof ( ie. someone who knows they suck at this type of stuff should be a champ with the daft method!)

Of course many thanks go out to those who's setups have inspired me and provided invaluable information regarding the art of hydro.

Capn

 

[Sencha]

Do you have a pre existing fish tank? You could use that water to inoculate the system. If you don't inoculate the bio media it may take up to four months to establish a beneficial colony.

 

[capndaft]

Do you have a pre existing fish tank? You could use that water to inoculate the system. If you don't inoculate the bio media it may take up to four months to establish a beneficial colony.

I don't have an aquarium right now. Took it apart when I moved and have yet to set it up. Winter project!

I have read from others that 2 weeks of uptime on a rdwc bio type system is enough time to establish a beneficial colony. I will also be brewing some with ancient forest and subculture b to help speed the process. ie.... brew the tea and add it to the system on the 3rd day and let it re-circulate for another week and a 1/2 to create the environment.

can you provide some info behind the 4 months? if that is indeed true then I'll be ready in the spring...... but for now I'll have to work with my timeline or Xmas.

 

[capndaft]

update:

The plan was to have a 12" drop back to the rez to create a waterfall effect and negate having to use airstone and pump to provide DO. For those who would like to use this method.... it is quite loud. Like a bathtub filling constantly. Alas, I will be using 2 airstones in the rez now with an airpump to stir up the water. I have since made the drop 8" and it's bearable. Not as much agitation of the water so that's why I will supplement with 2 round air stones. Along with my powerhead filter this should be quite a nice environment. I guess thats why it's called DIY..... you just never know till you test it out!

 

[Sencha]

I can't confirm the 4 month thing. Most aquarium stores will either; sell you junk fish that you're suppose to keep for 2-4 months to build your bio, or sell you an inoculate.

 

[BigBuddahCheese]

Looks good, but messy, potential for problems high and kind of a pain it looks like unless you have twice the size of rooms he states in his plans.

Look at his rooms on ICC they are horrible looking, with salt, dirt and other nasty mess. Not for me but might be for someone.

 

[capndaft]

Finished setting up the system completely now. EWC brew just finished and i added it to the tank this afternoon. Added about 1.5 gallons of tea, 1 gallon of tap water, bringing the rez to 9 gallons and total system to 14 gallons. I noticed that in the last 24-48 hours the rez became cloudy. Anyone with bio experience notice this as being normal? I've read from some aquarium guys that this is considered normal when attempting any bio-type environment. Just looking for some non-aquarium advice lol.

Rez sitting at 71.0f, 6.8 PH (although it seems to like 7.4), and 270ppm (started at 200ppm)
Room with lights off records a low of 68f, high of 72f
Room with lights on records a high of 78.4f

Going to go with the shot glass filled with distilled water and put in a dark place at around 80f for a day until taproot comes, then plant it in a root shooter and place into the grow area with a cup on top to keep humidity in.

Updates to follow. Looks pretty good to me. Any other thoughts and concerns from anyone before I get started on germing?

Capn