First bubbleponics grow, question regarding pump...

Hey guys. First I would like to say that the info in this section (and site in general) is outstanding. And to roseman, purpdaddy, etc., thank you!

I am getting ready to start in a DIY bubbleponics system. I have done soil as far back as 94 and DWC drip in the past. Soil was outstanding, DWC had something left to desire. Either way, after the info here I decided to jump into the bubbleponics.

Question #1 - To get to the question, I am unclear as to exactly what I am looking for regarding the flow coming out of the tubes. Should I see bubbles in the tubes? I hear it explained as a trickle, a drip, etc, but can't seem to get it to be anything less than a light flow (continuous yet slow stream). I m using two 240gph pumps with 2 6 outlet dig manifolds. I have them set to wide open as there doesn't seem to an in between as far as the knobs are concerned.

If there is a video somewhere showing the flow, a link would be awesome...

Question #2 - I am still unsure as to whether or not I should put the seeds directly into the rockwool for germ or paper towel them, and then in. I have them soaking in distilled water right now for 24 hours. It seems that the great ones seem to be torn on this subject so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.


For those interested, my setup is as follows:

• 600 watt cooltube with HPS/MH switchable ballast with both bulbs and a spare of each, and (1) 250 cfm fan pulling through tube from outside of tent and venting outside the tent
• 2'x4'x8' growlab grow tent
• 54 gallon rubbermaid roughneck, filled with 34 gallons of water (2" below net cups)
• (12) 5" net pots, filled with hydroton / rockwool
• (2) 240gph pumps with (2) DIG 6 outlet manifolds
• (1) 4 outlet and (1) two outlet air pumps, 4" round and 14" airstones
• 6"x18" carbon filter with 130cfm fan
• (2) 250 cfm vent fans, 1 in, 1 out, inlet hooked up to 6" duct plumbed into heat / a/c duct, outlet fan hooked up to a 3 speed fan controller
• 1/4hp chiller, keeps res at 70-72
• thermostat controlled outlet hooked up to inlet fan set at 77 degrees during the day, 68 at night
• Fox Farm nutes complete line, DM zone, and botanicare sweet berry to finish
• going with 6 fem barneys farm LSD and 6 bf blue cheese
• Pics to come

By the way, Attitude had seeds here in 7 days, A+.

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

skokie said:

Hey guys. First I would like to say that the info in this section (and site in general) is outstanding. And to roseman, purpdaddy, etc., thank you!

I am getting ready to start in a DIY bubbleponics system. I have done soil as far back as 94 and DWC drip in the past. Soil was outstanding, DWC had something left to desire. Either way, after the info here I decided to jump into the bubbleponics.

Question #1 - To get to the question, I am unclear as to exactly what I am looking for regarding the flow coming out of the tubes. Should I see bubbles in the tubes? I hear it explained as a trickle, a drip, etc, but can't seem to get it to be anything less than a light flow (continuous yet slow stream). I m using two 240gph pumps with 2 6 outlet dig manifolds. I have them set to wide open as there doesn't seem to an in between as far as the knobs are concerned.

If there is a video somewhere showing the flow, a link would be awesome...

Question #2 - I am still unsure as to whether or not I should put the seeds directly into the rockwool for germ or paper towel them, and then in. I have them soaking in distilled water right now for 24 hours. It seems that the great ones seem to be torn on this subject so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Click to expand...

Q #1 Answer: Well this is the deal the pump is for the water flow only. The submersible will sit in the bottom of your rez and pump the water directly to your net pots. The Bubbles should come from your airstones also in the bottom of the rez. Here is a vid its at the top of the page. I will admit thoe they show a strong water flow coming from their tubes but mine was a trickle, doesnt matter how strong the flow is just as long as it keeps the rockwool wet. http://www.stealthhydroponics.com/product.php?xProd=16&xSec=53

Q# 2 Answer: My first grow i put them directly into the rockwool and didnt have a problem but it took 5-7 days to show. If you do the papertowel method u will see sprouts in a day or two. Just remember that the tail sticking out of the seed when it cracks is the tap root so when you transplant into rockwool cubes put it down.

Best of luck on your grow man. Hit my grow up and u can always get ahold of me there if u have any more questions. The link is in my sig.

Thanks xpac. Based on the video, I think I am right about the same flow. I think I am going to slow it down a bit. It seems like it is just too much. Don't want to drown the babies.

I think I am going straight to cube after the 24 hour soak...

P.S. - Checked out you grow, looks good. Great comeback. I will keep watching.

So, the purpose of the air bubbles is to fill the airspace in the res with air? I thought the idea was to have the air bubbles travel through the tubes to the plants...

Or is it to dissolve O2 into the water and have it then delivered to the plants?

In rosemans tutorial he says that the flow shown in the pic was heavier than normal and that it slows down once the bubbles are present (or something to that nature)... This is why I assumed that there would be bubbles in the tubes...

Like:

___________________________________________________________
bubble|water|bubble|water|bubble|water|bubble|water|bubble|water|
___________________________________________________________

Not:

___________________________________________________________
water|water|water|water|water|water|water|water|water|water|wat
___________________________________________________________

Man I'm stoned...

How far should my water leves be under my net cups at this point 18 gal tote 15gal water 1 inch away from cups root submerging in water is this ok

I had the same problem wit the flow, just turn the individual knobes for each feeder tube and it will help slow it more than just putting the pump on the lowest setting, once the roots hit the water loose the tubes.

Ditch the pumps all together imho. Place the DWC water level 1-2 inches away from the bottom of the net cups. The popping bubbles are what you want hitting your net cups. I find pumps to each net cup to be somewhat useless to be perfectly honest.

I've heard many issues with using the suggested rain bird 2.0gph manifold (orange and black, home depot has it). It pours out water with an ecoplus 185gph pump and with 2 aqua mist 8" air stones blue with the plastic holding it in a 6 gallon res with 1/4" aquarium tubing. Any suggestions? Barely any bubbles make it through the tubes, maybe use a needle to make some holes in the tubes at the beginning to drain some water out and hope it trickles. Would the problem be the stones or the pump? Some way of regulating the flow with this manifold has to be possible.