videoman40
Well-Known Member
While I am no expert grower, and I know even less about hydro, it does however interest me, as I am sure it does others as well. I want to state up front, my knowledge level on hydro is somewhere along the lines of my knowledge on the spotted owl, I dont know crap about it!
I'd like to try it though, and based on what I've read here, others do too, but probaly like me, they feel it is out of there comfort level. I have come up with a system I found online that brings my comfort level back into check. Please before you do, or invest anything look into it further and ask around! there are plenty of knowledgeable hydro growers here. A little common sense goes a long way when growing.
Allright, moving on, as I have asked around and have read and read. Everyone has a system that works, but I want an easy one and here is what I found, please feel free to comment on this! (I have highlighted what I consider important for you, the reader) There are no pumps involved here, only air pumps and air stones. It is also very inexpensive to setup.
********************************
All of the necessary equipment can be bought at WallyWorld, Lowes, Hardware stores, pet stores and nurseries
Equipment needed:
Dual outlet aquarium pump $25.00
¼” vinyl or rubber airlines $00.25-40 @ ft.
¼” vinyl fittings, Tees, couplers
4” airstone $01.50
4” net pots $01.00
Medium, Hydrotron Expanded Clay Pellets
1 ½ rockwool cubes $ 08.00 for 24
notebook
pH meter
PPM meter
Rubbermaid Containers/buckets, $03.00-10.00
pH Up $08.00
pH Down $08.00
Nutrients and additives various costs,
********************************
Pumps:
A simple aquarium pump is all that is required. They are cheap and readily available. Department stores, pet shops, hardware stores. Try and get the type with dual/two outlets. This way you can aerate more buckets. Even more by adding Tee fittings.
I recently priced a larger pump at the hydro shop, much higher output capacity, 6 outlets, $400.00. Not necessary.
********************************
Next you need airlines, Tee fittings, couplers and airstones.
Airstones come in various sizes from 4-12”. I will use a 4’ in my 2 ½ gallon buckets and a 12” in the bigger rubbermaids. The airlines come in clear vinyl and colored rubber. I prefer the rubber lines. The vinyl can be stiff at times. The couplers allow you to put one or more airlines together for length and easy removal for nute changes. The Tees allow you to make two supplies out of one airline, again allowing you to feed two buckets. Airstones are cheap and clog frequently, keep a few spares on hand and check daily. Replace as needed. I will use new stones at the beginning of every grow.
Rubber airline, Tee fittings, back flow check valve and couplers:
Don’t forget to put an inline back flow check valve to keep water out of your pump.
********************************
Pumps:
Place them above floor level, back flow check valves inline. Also place them on a few layers of towels to lessen vibration and noise.
********************************
Containers:
Once again, plastic buckets, Rubbermaid storage containers, varying sizes, applicable to your needs, situation etc. But they must have lids and be dark in color, to prevent light hitting the nutrient rich solution and algae growth. The lids will require 2 holes cut in them, more depending on the number of net pots it will hold. One hole for the airline and one hole to support the net pot. I will heat a screwdriver on the stove element and press it through the vinyl lids to accommodate the ¼” airline. I will trace the bottom of the net pot to the lid, add ¼-3/8” more to the tracing and then use utility knife to cut them out. Save and use the cutout for a template next time
The bigger the container, the bigger the aeration requirements.
********************************
2 ½ gallon buckets is what I prefer. Notice the airline running through the lid, the airstone goes in the bucket. Also notice the coupling on the line in end. This allows for easy detachment from the air supply line for service, nute change, easy removal, etc. 5 gallon buckets are fine, but remember, especially if you have height issuses. 2 ½ gallon buckets are about 12” shorter, so you have 12” height more to grow than with 5ers.
********************************
This is my clone bubbler. I have cut 1 ¼” square holes (12) to accommodate my clones, once they have rooted in the cubes. I cover the un-needed holes with duct tape to keep light out again. I cut my clones 3-4 weeks into flower. Keep them under 2 X 4’, 34 watt flouros (one warm white, one cool white tube) I find I can keep them 8-10 weeks this way and then they are ready, it’s into the big buckets and they are off to the races
********************************
This is the net pot. The rooted clones are placed in them, supported with medium and the roots allowed to grow down into the aerated nutrient solution.
Now net pots may be the most difficult thing to buy, so improvise, use tapered plastic cups, the bottom of plastic pop bottles, drill them full of holes and voila, homemade net pots.
I'd like to try it though, and based on what I've read here, others do too, but probaly like me, they feel it is out of there comfort level. I have come up with a system I found online that brings my comfort level back into check. Please before you do, or invest anything look into it further and ask around! there are plenty of knowledgeable hydro growers here. A little common sense goes a long way when growing.
Allright, moving on, as I have asked around and have read and read. Everyone has a system that works, but I want an easy one and here is what I found, please feel free to comment on this! (I have highlighted what I consider important for you, the reader) There are no pumps involved here, only air pumps and air stones. It is also very inexpensive to setup.
********************************
All of the necessary equipment can be bought at WallyWorld, Lowes, Hardware stores, pet stores and nurseries
Equipment needed:
Dual outlet aquarium pump $25.00
¼” vinyl or rubber airlines $00.25-40 @ ft.
¼” vinyl fittings, Tees, couplers
4” airstone $01.50
4” net pots $01.00
Medium, Hydrotron Expanded Clay Pellets
1 ½ rockwool cubes $ 08.00 for 24
notebook
pH meter
PPM meter
Rubbermaid Containers/buckets, $03.00-10.00
pH Up $08.00
pH Down $08.00
Nutrients and additives various costs,
********************************
Pumps:
A simple aquarium pump is all that is required. They are cheap and readily available. Department stores, pet shops, hardware stores. Try and get the type with dual/two outlets. This way you can aerate more buckets. Even more by adding Tee fittings.
I recently priced a larger pump at the hydro shop, much higher output capacity, 6 outlets, $400.00. Not necessary.
********************************
Next you need airlines, Tee fittings, couplers and airstones.
Airstones come in various sizes from 4-12”. I will use a 4’ in my 2 ½ gallon buckets and a 12” in the bigger rubbermaids. The airlines come in clear vinyl and colored rubber. I prefer the rubber lines. The vinyl can be stiff at times. The couplers allow you to put one or more airlines together for length and easy removal for nute changes. The Tees allow you to make two supplies out of one airline, again allowing you to feed two buckets. Airstones are cheap and clog frequently, keep a few spares on hand and check daily. Replace as needed. I will use new stones at the beginning of every grow.
Rubber airline, Tee fittings, back flow check valve and couplers:
Don’t forget to put an inline back flow check valve to keep water out of your pump.
********************************
Pumps:
Place them above floor level, back flow check valves inline. Also place them on a few layers of towels to lessen vibration and noise.
********************************
Containers:
Once again, plastic buckets, Rubbermaid storage containers, varying sizes, applicable to your needs, situation etc. But they must have lids and be dark in color, to prevent light hitting the nutrient rich solution and algae growth. The lids will require 2 holes cut in them, more depending on the number of net pots it will hold. One hole for the airline and one hole to support the net pot. I will heat a screwdriver on the stove element and press it through the vinyl lids to accommodate the ¼” airline. I will trace the bottom of the net pot to the lid, add ¼-3/8” more to the tracing and then use utility knife to cut them out. Save and use the cutout for a template next time
The bigger the container, the bigger the aeration requirements.
********************************
2 ½ gallon buckets is what I prefer. Notice the airline running through the lid, the airstone goes in the bucket. Also notice the coupling on the line in end. This allows for easy detachment from the air supply line for service, nute change, easy removal, etc. 5 gallon buckets are fine, but remember, especially if you have height issuses. 2 ½ gallon buckets are about 12” shorter, so you have 12” height more to grow than with 5ers.
********************************
This is my clone bubbler. I have cut 1 ¼” square holes (12) to accommodate my clones, once they have rooted in the cubes. I cover the un-needed holes with duct tape to keep light out again. I cut my clones 3-4 weeks into flower. Keep them under 2 X 4’, 34 watt flouros (one warm white, one cool white tube) I find I can keep them 8-10 weeks this way and then they are ready, it’s into the big buckets and they are off to the races
********************************
This is the net pot. The rooted clones are placed in them, supported with medium and the roots allowed to grow down into the aerated nutrient solution.
Now net pots may be the most difficult thing to buy, so improvise, use tapered plastic cups, the bottom of plastic pop bottles, drill them full of holes and voila, homemade net pots.
H 5.2-5.5 
