Building a DWC bucket

[JohnnyHopkins]

u shuld fink b4 callin ppl 'tupid k?

You're assuming "airstone" in this context means a pump, tubing and an airstone.

The discussion is about plugging an airstone into the end of the air tube. Should she or he do so?

The air pump and air tubing still goes into the bucket, but the question is whether it's better to have an airstone or just a naked tube.

FreezerBoy mentioned a very good point about the airstone damping some of the bubble noise. I would imagine without an airstone, the sound would be close to a bong with a standard downstem.

Of course the airstone also adds static pressure which 1) reduces the life of the pump slightly, and 2) lets a little less air through.

Thanks for clearing that up and sorry for being abrasive i was just like "WTF why would some one want to put the time and money into a DWC without air?"

 

[macdiesel]

Yeah they can clog but how can no air oxygenate the water? either im missing out on something or u r stupid.

Yeah, i'm sure it's just me... not you

 

[stussy22]

Safety meeting time

 

[FreezerBoy]

when your plant feeds, ph goes up.

This may be true for you but, it's not a given. For some, plants feed and pH remains constant. When my plants feed, pH drops because that's the plan. This way I can use tap water for pH control.

 

[lamp-hill]

Milehigh we are on the same page.
I have heard of people using pura vida organics, but most organics won't work. IMHO the best tried and true organic hydro that works( just not great for ganja) is aquaponics. Check murray hallams 12in ebb and flow beds.AP dwc ala UVI technique requires much filtration and lacks nutrient spectrum beyond lettuce and basil. All of these systems will get root rot if you add mollases. Keep it simple nute wise.

glad to have read this post. i was going to experiment with both mollases and compost/soil juice in a mini aquarium i aquired today:
http://i698.photobucket.com/albums/vv346/zport/DSC_2514.jpg
i had planned on fixing up a bubble/aero cloner and then attempt organic DWC with an airstone.... goood to know that it might have clogged, and that the pump life may be extended without it...
good to know of the steep odds before you go and try something. it's good to read icmag! thank you for this thread

 

[lamp-hill]

actually, the more you read icmag, the more you come into more resourceful insights...

organic hydro is more than feasible, as described here

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=5669

Growing marijuana hydroponically with totally organic nutrients is actually easier than growing hydroponically with man-made chemicals. Because we do not place any chemicals in the lower water reservoir, we remove all of the problems associated with maintaining the proper ppm of the water. Eliminating the need to balance different nutrient levels with ppm and pH in the water reservoir eliminates most of the problems associated with hydroponic growing.

In nature, the approximate top 1/3 of most plant’s roots are specialized for nutrient uptake, while the lower 2/3 of the roots are specialized for water uptake. The organic "dual root" growing system enhances the natural specialization of the root systems to maximize their dual nutrient and water uptake abilities.

A dual root system is created by the plant through the creation of a primary/upper and secondary/lower composition of the medium in the container. The upper or primary root system and medium of soil or soil substitute is structured so organic nutrients may be applied directly to them. No nutrients are placed in the lower hydroponic watered area or secondary root system.


Roots emerging from their container.
The Organic Method

The secret to organic hydroponics is the creation of a hydroponic grow container that allows for organic nutrients to be applied directly to the upper primary growing medium rather than into the lower secondary water receiving root system.

Since the water reservoir is not used to distribute the nutrients as is done with the "traditional" chemical method, there will be no need to worry about the nutrient PPM of the water. The reservoir will be used for the periodic watering of the lower secondary medium and root structure only. Using this organic method makes hydroponic growing as easy as soil growing by eliminating the need to keep a fine-tuned and precise chemically-balanced water reservoir.

With the organic hydroponics method, all of the organic nutrients are applied directly to the upper "soil" medium, much as they would be applied to any soil. If the organic nutrients used are in a liquid form, they are simply mixed to a proper concentration, the same as would be for soil application, and poured on the top of the medium. The secret is to not apply too many liquid nutrients at once.

 

[macdiesel]

This may be true for you but, it's not a given. For some, plants feed and pH remains constant. When my plants feed, pH drops because that's the plan. This way I can use tap water for pH control.

How do you accomplish getting the ph to drop I ask?

 

[BeaverHuntr]

This may be true for you but, it's not a given. For some, plants feed and pH remains constant. When my plants feed, pH drops because that's the plan. This way I can use tap water for pH control.

My PH drops too I dont know why everything looks perfect .. I just add some PH up and R/O water ..

 

[tjo]

My PH drops too I dont know why everything looks perfect .. I just add some PH up and R/O water ..

i had the same problem..
your solution is the h2o2! with few words,
you have bacteria so kill m all..
scrogerman help me a lot with this..

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

My PH drops too I dont know why everything looks perfect .. I just add some PH up and R/O water ..

I believe that if your ph drops it is because the plant is drinking water faster than it is uptaking nutrients. If the ph rises, then it is sucking up the nutes faster than the water.....