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Thread: Basic Bubbler (DWC) System

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    Thumbs up Basic Bubbler (DWC) System

    The DWC (Deep Water Culture) hydroponics system, commonly called a bubbler, is one of the simplest and most effective hydroponics systems there are. They are inexpensive to build and maintain and work very well with any strain. Here are some reasons to consider a bubbler when choosing a method to grow any strain:

    * Lots of room for root mass
    * Provides plenty of oxygen for the roots



    This guide will cover how to build and maintain a 5 gallon or 18l DWC Bubbler hydroponics system. Here are the materials you will need, they can all be purchased at any hardware and/or hydroponics store:

    * 5 gallon or 18l bucket with a lid
    * Roll of duck tape or black vinyl tape (if bucket is not black)
    * Air pump (at least 2,000 cc's/min)
    * Air line
    * Air stone (bigger are better)
    * 6" Net pot
    * Hydroton grow rocks (enough to fill the net pot) a.k.a. Expanded clay pebbles
    * PH down/PH Tester
    * Grow nutrients


    Light-Proofing (skip this step if your bucket is black)
    In order to keep out unwanted algae growth in the bucket you must light-proof it. To do this either tape 3 layers of duct tape around it and the lid or use one layer of black vinyl tape. The key it to make sure absolutely no light can shine through the tape.

    Making the lid

    You must cut a hole in the bucket lid for the 6" net pot. Get a sharp knife or something to cut the hole. Next use a marker or knife to trace around the 6" net pot. Cut the hole in the lid with a slightly smaller diameter than what you traced. Once you have cut the lid make sure the net pot fits in securely.


    Adding the air stone
    First you are going to need to cut or drill a small hole around 1/4 inch (0.5 cm) at the top of the bucket for the air line. Wash off the air line and soak the air stone in some water for about 30 minutes. Next you can insert the air line into the hole and put on the air stone. Make sure theres enough air line to reach to the bottom of the bucket.


    If you have a small air stone you are probably going to want to hold it down with something. Avoid using metal. I like to use some 1/2 vinyl tubing and two marbles. Simply make a hole to put the air line through in a small 1.5 inch piece of tubing and put a marble in each side of the tube.

    Preparing to grow
    Its a good idea to sterilize the bucket, to do so wash it and the lid with a 10% bleach solution or H202(Hydrogen Peroxide). Make sure to wash everything out throughly with plain water. Next get a rooted clone to put into the net pot. To learn how to easily root a Salvia Divinorum cutting in water view this guide: Rooting a Cutting in Water
    Inserting the Rooted Clone

    Once you have a well-rooted clone(roots at least 1"(2.5 cm) long) get some grow rocks and wash them off with tap water. Make sure to run water through them and get out all the dust and stuff. Next put a 1/2 inch layer of grow rocks at the bottom of the net pot. Place the rooted clone into the net pot and carefully place grow rocks around it to hold the plant securely in place. Make sure to fill the net pot all the way to the top with grow rocks.

    Nutrients and Feeding
    Use a growing formula intended for vegetative growth and follow the directions on the bottle to mix the solution. I recommend using General Hydroponics 3-part nutrients and using a solution of 3-2-1(3 parts Grow-2 parts Micro-1 part Bloom). Make sure to always mix in the Micro first, then the Grow, and the Bloom last. Be sure to throughly mix each part into the water before mixing in the next. GH 3-part are chemical nutrients and some people recommend against using chemical nutrients if you are going to be consuming the plant. So you may want to use organic nutrients such as General Hydroponics Flora Nova.

    I highly recommend using distilled or purified water, but you can use tap water if its your only option. For new clones start out with a 1/2 strength solution. During growth keep a TDS reading of 600-1200 PPM (EC of 1.6-2.4). Keep a PH reading in the water of 5.5-6.0 and be sure to NEVER mix PH up/down and nutrients into the water at the same time, wait about 30 min in between.


    Water level and topping-off
    For new plants keep the water level in the bucket about 1" (2.5 cm) above the bottom of the net pot. Once the roots have grown out you can drop the water level but make sure to keep no more than 1" below the net pot. When the water level gets low top it off with a PH adjusted, 1/2 strength nutrient solution. Its a good idea to regularly change out the nutrient solution. To maintain healthy plants you should change it every 4-6 weeks. The temperature of the water should be kept pretty cool to ensure plenty of oxygen and avoid pathogens (around 65-75F or 18-22C).



    Last edited by up2nogood; 04-07-10 at 08:34 PM.
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