How to make a Top Drip Bucket Hydroponic System

[Darkfoax]

what is the 2 gallons of solution is that just water or like mineral water cause i dont want to buy the solutions that are like different colors unless they will work the same as what you used

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@Darkfoax I use a 3 part hydroponic solution from General Hydroponics with reverse osmosis water in this video. There is only a few teaspoons of the fertilizer so it just barely tints the water. Since your plants are grown without soil it has to get all it's nutrients from the water and hydroponic fertilizer mix. I've tried many brands and they all seen to work well.

[Darkfoax]

@FenderGibsonWashburn ok and what is the safest way to transplant my plant from the soil to the hydroton pebbles

[Darkfoax]

@FenderGibsonWashburn what is best way to transfer my plant from a soil pot to the hydroton

[ThespiritofEliyahu]

@Darkfoax gently shake off as much soil as possible. then gently wash the roots. wash your hydroton in a strainer to get all loose media and dust off. then take washed hydroton and put to within 3-4 inches of top of hydro pot. spread roots in all directions. gently place more washed hydroton over roots and you are ready to grow. with hydro slowly introduce nutrients to new plants bringing them up to a normal dosage. gradually adding more each week to you are at the full strength

[SkeksisRule]

Just so no one accidentally cuts themselves with a box cutter I would recommend using a heavy duty pair of kitchen scissors for cutting the thick tubing.

[rezeve69]

Very informative and well made video. Thank you for posting!

[2451Charlie]

when growing your plant, do you need a timer or does it run 24/7? Thanks

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@2451Charlie I grew a very large tomato plant running the system 24/7. I also added an air stone to put more oxygen in the solution. Not a big deal because the air pump I was using had two outlets. Some people suggested a timer. You may want to read down through the comments for more info.

[2451Charlie]

@FenderGibsonWashburn Thanks bud!

[Freedom2Morocco]

@FenderGibsonWashburn Is this good for marijuana ?

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@Freedom2Morocco I don't know from personal experience but I've seen pictures and I would have to say yes.

[xXLAMPFANATIC9000Xx]

Very helpful, Thank you.

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@xXLAMPFANATIC9000Xx You're welcome. I'm happy to be helpful.

[josephdupont]

OK where did hyou get that clear pvc pipe.. R-4000???

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@josephdupont It comes in the GH Farm kit I mention at the beginning of the video. The kit can be bought on line and in many hydroponic stores. I've fond the exact same tube in a couple home improvement stores. It is on a reel and you can but it a foot at a time.

[LiQuidAtmosPhere]

music? i could jam to this all day!

[lovehearts9109]

great way to grow some mary jane indoor lol...

[Benzjitsu]

cool.

[hernandez17blood]

WHERE DO I GET THE WATER FROM??????

[W4V3MAKER]

@hernandez17blood THE DESERT, WHERE ELSE!

[hernandez17blood]

@W4V3MAKER STFU !!!!! aint nobody talkin to your punk ass

[W4V3MAKER]

@hernandez17blood OBVIOUSLY YOU DUMBASS!!

[hernandez17blood]

@W4V3MAKER STFU!!!

[W4V3MAKER]

@hernandez17blood UMAD BOI??

[hernandez17blood]

@W4V3MAKER LMFAO nikka plz i aint no boy !!!!!

[W4V3MAKER]

@hernandez17blood You mad. 

[hernandez17blood]

@W4V3MAKER LMFAO HELL NO LIL BOY! IMA GROW ASS MAN SO STFU

[W4V3MAKER]

@hernandez17blood You so mad you going to grow ass? lololololol.

[borneoization]

2 people couldnt figure out how to make it

[backyardsounds]

Would it be a good idea to use some sort of silicone around the bottom grommet for possible future leaks? I know it's totally unrelated but on my classic VW Beetle, I've done this on a few spots where I was worried about leakage from the rubber getting hard over time.

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@backyardsounds I haven't found silicone to be necessary unless you accidentally make the hole too big. Otherwise, from my experience the bucket will get brittle way before the grommet does. 

[DontFriendInviteMe]

LOL .. cat stops by ... looks around ... walks away .. "let me know when you get to the fish part".

[bulletproof2353]

maybe a timer for the spray nozzle pump,and leave the air stone pump on all the time, for the stones in the gullies and the air stone in the resovoir itself too,which i already have 2 60gal rubbermaid containers,so that helps too,just need foam net pots(i already have about 8)pellets,flora series,ppm/ph meter,spray heads,tubing and pvc,even got 2 400mh ballasts&1 bulb,but yea the store is not too far about an hour or 45 min away & another 1 about 35 or 45 min i never been to,& i got a heater

[bulletproof2353]

yeah i like the bucket systems for outdoor, but for 2 12 site systems, i think it would still be cheaper to build what i want, only cause the styrofoam is so cheap

to make 24 bucket systems could be more costly i think $5x24=120 just for buckets,for what i want it would cost me 30 in foam,if that,with the extra money i could easily buy a water and air pump ,but yeah not a toal aero cause of the airstones at the bottom &adjustable drain pipe in each tube/gully,so it a dwc too

[bulletproof2353]

and type mist nozzles to use?

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@bulletproof2353 Sorry, can't help you there. I've never built a spray type yet. I'm just not into the use of spray heads with the necessary more powerful pumps and the extra expense at this point. I've seen other videos here on You Tube that may be more helpful than mine. Another good source is Hydroponic Forums. If you are close by a hydroponics store they may be helpful also.

[bulletproof2353]

those have too small of net pots, i want big net pots, i just want to build something like one of those ,but scaled up and for much much less, either 3 tubes with 4 sites or 4 tubes with 3 sites,12 plants, 8' rooms,flow/veg,id like to have 2 of these on wheels,then just wheel it in the flower room when its ready,but what dimensions to make the tubes?and where to place the pvc pipe with the mist nozzles inside them?in a top corner with the nozzles facing diagonally down?or at the bottom?what size

[bulletproof2353]

plumb it with both air stones, 1 for each site or maybe 1 for between 2 sites and one at each end, and then also use a pump and pvc and some mist nozzles,and a, adjustable height drain pipe at the end of each gullie/tube ,so it would be like an aeroponic system,but then if the roots get real long they would sit in the water with the air stones,also have an air stone in a 50gal rubbermaid id use for the res,similar to those expensive GH systems you see made from vinyl fence post,but those have to

[bulletproof2353]

@fendergibsonwashburn ok thanks ,so the lift /pump tube is just 2 tubes with a y fitting at the bottom of them then?id like to make my own lift tube,i had an idea for a better system,using the same size net pot &hydroton, i want to make it out of foam,the blu kind at lowes for pouring concrete foundations,comes in sheets like 8x2or 8x4,want to cut it with a hot nichrome wire foam cutter,& use slicone,caulking gun,& dry wall screws to put together long rectangular tubes/gullies and then plumb it

[bulletproof2353]

also if your going to be putting a smaller plant in one of these, then wouldnt it be better to have a smaller drip ring?or will the moisture find its way to the middle even if its a small seedling with a small root system in the center of the net pot and the ring only dripping on the outer edges?seems like a small ring would be better

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@bulletproof2353 It worked just fine for me the way it is. All the Hydroten stays wet supplying nutrient to even the smallest plant dead center of the basket. Some have even suggested putting a timer on the pump so it isn't running constantly. The really cool thing is it's YOUR own system. Modify it any way you wish. Don't be afraid to experiment with ideas you may feel would improve it's operation.

[bulletproof2353]

seems like the hydro farm bucket systems that have the drip ring and the airstones have some other method of connecting the pumping column and an air stone to it too with only running 1 air line, i mean i suppose you could split the output with a gang valve or a t peice from the air pump, also i surprised this even works, i figured that you would need an air tight container for it to work, with the relative low output of air from a fishtank ari pump

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@bulletproof2353 It's best to run one line to the Air Lift Pump and another to an Air Stone or two. If you simply place a T in one air line, all the air will go to the Air Lift Pump and not to the Air Stone. The air will take the path of least resistance. In this case the air stone will have some restriction.

No air tight container is needed. The rising air bubbles lift the solution up the tube to the drip ring. This is how it works with such a low output of air.

[bulletproof2353]

ok i have 3 questions, 1 can you put the pipe that connects to the drip ring up through the trin on the outside of the netpot? ot do you have to put it through the net and the pellets?wouldnt it be better ot put i through the wide border where its just plastic?2,what if youd want a deep water culture and a drip system hybrid?like hydofarm?can you put an airstone,without having 2 lines?3 what is that other peice where the air pump connects to?can you make one?how?

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@bulletproof2353 I put the Air lift tube as far to the outer rim as possible. It has to be an inch or so from the edge only because of the slope of the bucket. If you were to use a smaller net pot bucket lid it actually would go through the rim. If you were to use the 10" one there is practically no rim at all. It works great as a hybrid system. You do have to use at least two lines as I will explain as a reply to your other post.

[DrMotorDude]

I know it's not in the directions but does the cat have to be orange or can you use a gray one, too?

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@DrMotorDude I've used orange, gray, and even calico and in my experience all have worked equally well. I have read that black cats sometimes overheat when exposed to full sunlight so you should use some type of shade cloth. Spray misters were proven to be ineffective since the cats would get annoyed and run away.

[dripworld]

thanks for sharing your video but i have used pot system earlier without pump

[Blksupermankc]

For sure adding that extra airline n stone is the way to go just got two buckets two air stones n a 4 outlet pump today!!

[OxyFiend1982]

Hate to correct you but it's a grow MEDIUM not grow MEDIA but nice video otherwise I might make 1 but I was thinking of making a different style hydroponic bucket with a 5 gal bucket 6 inch mesh pots a air stone and whatever those aquarium pumps ate called

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@OxyFiend1982 Actually I think you somewhat enjoy correcting people or you wouldn't do it. I see where you're coming from but since I found over 97,000,000 other examples of people also incorrectly using the term grow MEDIA I won't lose any sleep over it. If I in any way inspired you to build your own hydroponic system, mission accomplished. :) Have fun building and experimenting and thanks for the comment.

[floorguru15]

@OxyFiend1982 your a fag...you can say it either way. some say media and that is perfectly fine. google it guy. and keep your stupid comments to yourself. read your last sentence you can't even spell correctly. "ate" "are" <--- chump!

[mochenmat]

Ok so at 4:50 you see what seems to be a dry ice fog coming up...what is this? you said something about hydrogen ....do you put dry ice in or what?

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@mochenmat Nope no dry ice. I'm not sure what you are seeing as fog. I am saying Hydroton, sorry I should have spoken more clearly.

[angryuspiratus]

kitty!!

[kypulpfiction]

Thanks for the video! This is what I have been looking for! I was having no success w/

my current set up. It was suggested by my hydro store to go this drip route.

[RickyCayey]

How do you connect the air pump to this system?

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@RickyCayey I show and explain how to connect the air pump to the system at 4:42 in the video. Thanks for the question.

[OwnsPitBull]

which nutrients do you use and how much and whats your pH?

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@OwnsPitBull You totally missed the point of this video. The nutrients are totally up to you, read the instructions printed on the bottle or box, somewhere between 5.5 and 6.5 for growing a tomato plant. Do you have any questions about " How to make a Top Drip Bucket Hydroponic System"?

[TheBradanAnderson]

5:16 Now just insert your favourite plant into the grow medium!!!

LMAO.

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@TheBradanAnderson I just show how to build the thing, what you grow with it is totally up to you. ;-)

[MrSherp]

Would I need to cut the pumping column support ring if I got a 10" mesh pot?

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@MrSherp You shouldn't have to. It would be cool if someone could tell me for sure.

[bulldoggrrr]

@FenderGibsonWashburn you definately do not need to cut the "drip ring" if you get the 10" mesh pot, also if you run an additional air line into the bucket and attach an airstone it really adds to this system in my opinion. because it kind of gives you a combination "top feed drip system"/"deep water culture" and it produces AMAZING pure white, healthy masses of root. I would add that it is advised that one fully change the water once a week and keep ph in good balance for best results.cool vid

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@bulldoggrrr Thank you for letting me know about the drip ring. I totally agree with adding an additional air line and airstone. That was suggested to me before and I was very happy I tried it. I found an aquarium pump with two outlets and it worked great. I show the roots with the additional airstone in this video. "watch?v=bk_qayx5m1U" Thank you for answering the question and for your comments. Just what I was hoping for. :-)

[bulldoggrrr]

@FenderGibsonWashburn np, btw the hole in the bottom of the bucket should be 7/8" for a watertight fit (in case any1 was wondering.

[photo412]

where would i get the mesh pot bucket lid and the hydroton? for the store where you get the kit thanks.

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@photo412 Most hydroponic stores will have what you need or can order it for you. You can also order everything on line. It's best to buy the hydroton locally as the cost of shipping can be more than the price.

[ScruffyBueno]

Do you leave your buckets out doors?

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@ScruffyBueno Yes

[ScruffyBueno]

@FenderGibsonWashburn Sweet, I will try that out. I'm in the process of growing my tomato's from seeds, a week or so and they will be ready for the DWC. Thanks for the response.

[moonman3420]

loving the old school porn music.. great vid

[DocNayan]

DEFINITELY sounded like" Hydrogen" to us, Mr. 3-Giuitars-Man :) I took your instructional video to heart, set it up and it works like a charm. Thanks.

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@DocNayan I definitely muffed the word LOL but as long as it helped you build a working system hopefully all is forgiven. :) Don't forget to read the growing tips and operating instructions from Don Pin Godoy in the comments section. If you discover any thing that others would find useful, please come back and comment.

[DocNayan]

Very instructional video , well thought out and presented. On point, however. Its not 'hydrogen' (I assume you're referring to the gas) that is generated by the air pump. Its actually highly oxygenated water that is bubbling out. H2O is a unique covalent bond of two hydrogen atoms to one oxygen atom. You can't synthesize hydrogen unless you utilize electrolysis or some other chemical reaction. Finally, hydrogen gas is odorless, tasteless and invisible :)

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@DocNayan Sometimes I don't speak as clearly as I should or I may even be saying it wrong. What I actually say is Hydroton. LOL It's the little red clay balls that the plant is growing in.

There is no need to produce hydrogen in a hydroponic system. Thanks for the hydrogen info. :)

[swcasual1]

nice, the only vid i watched that actualy helped me understand the drip system, thank you

[Cobraartsproductions]

Thanks for the tips :)

[chiledilly]

Great video... would like to get a closer look at that white tube though. Hard to believe that air can push water to the top like that. I'll need a closer look at his sometime. Hey, how do I filter out posts that say "My first"... much time wasted looking for the good hydroponic info.

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@chiledilly I know it seems weird and doesn't look like it should work as well as it does. Look for information about "air lift pump".

I don't know of any advanced filtering function on You Tube.

[neocenobyte]

@chiledilly it does! The air makes the water percolate up through the column and through the drip ring. This is the best top-fed setup i hae ever tried. Monster growth!

(once again i suggest an air stone on 24/7 and timed drip cycles of seven minutes every 2-6 hrs, depending on stage.

[WARDRAGONZ23]

do you think this can work with cannabis? just asking

[WARDRAGONZ23]

what is the round things around the plant ?

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@WARDRAGONZ23 It's called Hydroton, but you can use any variety of different media for this.

[virusmakers]

@FenderGibsonWashburn fake ass bitch...mayne

[nectarineblue]

just noticed this new video of yours.. haven't been over here in awhile. Nice video.. what size of pump you use for setup?

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@nectarineblue I used the one from Wal*Mart that's rated at 10-30 gallons and it ran fine then I switched to the bigger one with dual outputs so I could run a large air stone also. I grew a tomato plant in it this past summer that way. You can see it toward the beginning of my Gardening Update Video /watch?v=bk_qayx5m1U. Thanks for stopping by. :)

[rvera148]

your video made my vist my local hydro shop and order me up some stuff . keep growing ........ RV

[JTHEEZY1]

WILL IT GROW WEED TOO?

[DRxSus]

@JTHEEZY1 thats what caught my eye to, this video got me started; i started growing weed out of 6 of these i made for my 1st grow attempt, i learned a whole lot. this is only good for 1 or 2 weed plants, changing nutes got to be a pain, so i took out all 6 halos, put the 6 buckets in 2 2x4 trays and made a bigger drip system; a lot of things could have made it easier for me, but i learned on by own by messing around. so yes, u can grow weed too, u'll need more things tho

[coolhydroponics]

After a long search for hydroponic information in all places, I finally found on this website. Your articles really helped me. Worthy of being a guide to being the best!

[coolhydroponics]

Have found your web page. My pal mentioned it to me before, yet never got around to checking it out until now. I must express, I’m floored. I really enjoyed reading through your posts and will absolutely be back to get more.



[lowkeeee777]

do you have to aerate your solution when not watering? just curios but is there any difference in your feeding cycle with this bucket system? how often do you change you solution?...i am running seven of these buckets under 2 1000w lights...i like the mobility, the cost of nuts i am sure is reduced and the size is perfect....have you had any problems with this system? thx

[lowkeeee777]

never mind...u already answerd my questions...thx

[prolong00021]

REALLY HELPFULL , THANKS

[MonsterEnergy441]

iM GOING GROW SUM GOOD WEED NOW

[MrNiceguy4201912]

GREAT VIDEO ! tHANKS FOR YOUR TIME ;-)

[DonPinGodoy]

I have used this method for 4 years now and it has produced gorgeous, gigantic plants, incl. a banana tree.

Add another, indep. air pump w/tubing & an airstone @ the bottom of the es to run perpetually while putting your drip ring pump on a timer @ several intervals during the day. My root mass almost tripled using this method in side-by-side testing vs. a unit without the additional airstone.

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@DonPinGodoy I can see how that could give you the kind of boost you get from a flood and drain. I added an air stone last week because I was concerned there may not be enough oxygen in the solution during the day "higher temps = less suspended oxygen" and so far I'm very pleased. What is your on and off times for the drip ring? What are your growing conditions?  I'm alway open to suggestions. :)

[DonPinGodoy]

@FenderGibsonWashburn pump on for 2 minutes, 6 times per light cycle (during 18-6, this would be every 3 hrs; during bloom, every 2 hrs). Veg for an additional 2-3 weeks. Trim & prune as u see fit during this period's first week. Once your plant is looking rather buff, move on to blooming.

For early bloom, I time the watering at 3 minutes on, 6 times per light period (every 2 hrs in bloom). Once the plant enters its mid-bloom stage, increase the duration to 4 minutes on every 2 hours.

[DonPinGodoy]

@FenderGibsonWashburn Indoors, my temps range betweeen 76 & 85 F. On a bad day, i try to keep it below 87 by dimming the light till temps go back down to 83. RH, between 44% and 76%, but around 60% on avg. When i used the buckets outdoors res temps was definitely an issue!

[DonPinGodoy]

@FenderGibsonWashburn unlike facebook, i cannot post links to pics or other details re: the use of this system; But i invite u to look me up on Facebook; I'll be glad to point the way to some killa shots of some massive root systems obtained using this unit. just look up Don Pin Godoy on FB. Hope 2 c u there m8 :)

[bonham4596]

good video I also drilled a 3/4in. hole on the rim of the lid and added a 8in air stone to put in the bucket keeps the nutrients mixed and the air moving through the water way less of a chance for root rot also. I just run the air line through the hole in the lid.

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@bonham4596 That's a good idea! So far I haven't had any issues but it's only been a couple weeks. I will keep that in mind. Thank you.

[bonham4596]

@FenderGibsonWashburn yeah it is fine without one I dont have a negative thing to say about this system its awesome but I did find that with the air stone once the roots get to the water the plant exploded in growth and I also use 3 gallons instead of 2 it puts the water right at the bottom of the basket. so with the 2 gallons leaving a space it might be cool to do something aeroponic hmmmm lol

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@bonham4596 Realistically now that the roots are established I may be able to disconnect the top drip part of it, raise the level of the solution and just go totally (aeroponic, bubbleponic, sub-aeration). But then what do I do with the cool top drip part. LOL

[bonham4596]

@FenderGibsonWashburn LOL exactly I just leave mine on there it still runs over the roots in the mix

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@bonham4596 That's what I did today. I had the the stuff so I figured why not. I kept it at the same level, just put in a long air stone. I have to string it up tomorrow. It's getting so heavy I'm worried it will break under it's own weight. Started seeing flowers so I changed it from grow to bloom formula.

[bonham4596]

@FenderGibsonWashburn yeah but it should work famous last words lol how often do you change out your water I am pretty new to hydroponics?

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@bonham4596 No longer than two weeks. I top it up daily with half strength solution. I go by what I've read. I've heard as short as a week towards the end of it's cycle then plain water as it produces fruit with some flushes in between. Got all that? LOL Actually I go by instinct and I do ppm and PH readings every few days. When things start to go out of whack it's time to flush the system and change out all of it. PPM only gives you relative strength not what nutrients are getting depleted.

[1HughGRection4U]

@bonham4596 change your nut' solution every 1-2 weeks. directions and ratios are on all nutrient bottles as the mix changes with stages of growth. easeyer than it sounds. my indoor veggies and herbs are monsters compared to outdoors, tomatoes hit the 8 ft ceiling if i don't bend them down, herbs r at least 6 ft in windows with no lights and i harvest fresh organic all year

[OwnsPitBull]

I must tell you that I have enjoyed your videos and your knowledge on hydroponics! Keep up the great work, cant wait to see more videos!

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@OwnsPitBull Thanks for the encouragement. I have many more ideas to show, I just need the time to do them. :)

[rickvanman]

Great video and project Paul. I love the voiceover arrangement - gives it a real pro feel.

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@rickvanman Thank you Rick! That means a lot to me coming from you since the quality of your videos is what I strive for.