Grow Mediums 5-gallon water jug made into a hydroponic bucket?

[Musturd]

Hi Jerrylesh,

Just kiddin, I'm all for DIY recycling but you can get everything you need for a real 5 gal hydro setup for 25 bucks.

Bucket 3 or 5 gal(black), Net pot lid for 3 or 5 gal, Airline (black) pump bubblestone, Medium (hydrostone),

DIY bucket, tape it paint it or wrap it
DIY net pot, make holes in right size container drill hole in lid and mount DIY net pot in lid. Everything can be got at hydro store, walmart, home depot, pet store, of course online.

Or http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-Bubble-Boy-Single-Shot-DWC.asp

Happy Grows

 

[PhilGarcia]

Musturd, you were exactly right about the JerryLesh.

And...You would recommend hydroton for the medium? Something like this? http://www.amazon.com/Hydroton-GMHT10L-Hydroponic-Rocks-Liter/dp/B000FCPDFA/ref=pd_bxgy_lg_img_y

 

[Musturd]

I'm not a hydro guy, yet, my first grow is soil. But I have been looking at throwing one of these stand alone DIY units in my space and seeing what it produces. Lots of homework will pay off. Have a plan, if you start good beans before your ready you will be scrambling to keep up. Newb lessons from a Newb.

 

[Man In The Jar]

You beat me to it, Jackal...A bucket is much simpler.

Can you guys/gals think of any ways to improve on this design? http://www.hydroponics-simplified.com/bucket-hydroponics.html

Really dont know how you would improve on it as it works quite well I used almost the same design on some pepper(ghost) plants and it worked very well with better than expected results.my




MITJ

 

[PhilGarcia]

Musturd, if you end up throwing a DIY bucket in your garden, post a report on it...I'm sure there are plenty of us who would like to see how it went and hear some lessons-learned.

Man in the Jar...The only thing that I would improve on it is using one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Basket-Bucket...=1355803400&sr=1-2&keywords=bucket+basket+lid

 

[Man In The Jar]

I agree ..just thought if your working on a budget That the design you posted would work

Keep us posted on how things work out:smokebuds:


MITJ

 

[Tavosvo]

Drinking cooler is epic for dwc. Buckets are hard to keep temps stable. Depends on grow room temps I suppose. With buckets wrapped in neoprene I was changing big frozen water bottles 3 times/24hours. Now I use smaller bottles and water is 65-72 with only one change per day. I can let it go two days and it only gets up to 75.

Ph was a little screwy at first but could have been new hydroton.

Lowes had coolers for $21 which isn't so bad if you are comparing to the local hydro shop selling black 5gallon buckets for $10 each.

 

[PhilGarcia]

Tavosvo, is new hydroton commonly known to mess with PH? I had thought that it is PH-neutral, but I am in no way an expert on this topic...

 

[Tavosvo]

Yes Phil new hydroton messes with ph for a few days up to a week. Best thing to do is soak in ph'd water for a while, (one day minimum, 2-3 days ideal) and change the water a couple times with fresh PH'd water. I think it runs high ph so soak in 5.0-5.5 water

Also new hydroton is dirty lots of dust and particles will end up in res if you don't wash a lot. Like a really lot, way more that you think. Maybe 10-20 times Ina bucket rinse and shake. Do this before you ph the rocks.