March 16, 2009 by Orlando Jude
Posted in
After reading all the good stories here, and JessiJordon's enthusiasm, I'm now totally inspired to try different things in addition to my AG's.
This is my new bubbler system. A black 5 gallon bucket, a cover imbedded with a 12" mesh basket. A length of tubing attached to an airstone on one end and the simple aquairium pump on the other end. Will be using Peat's formulas to feed. I expect to change the water every 2-4 weeks. Anyone have any advice on that?
I'll be using a 2 bulb shop light on chains, to start, adding another if the plants start to stretch to the light. I plan 2 buckets with cucumbers, and 2 with bell peppers. My AG's will have herbs, salad greens/lettuce, mild jalapeno peppers, ruby toms, and cherry toms, and probably piri piri peppers.
Any advice anyone? This is my first try at hydroponics, and I can use any help I can get! lol
Will post pictures as soon as I learn how. Help!!!!
(1 vote)
Mon, 03/16/2009 - 19:17
#2
Oh, btw, while you're visiting Picasa, or even if you're not 
- you might want to check out Elle's albums. She also grew from Aerogardens into making her own hydroponics rigs. I keep trying to talk her into coming online here, but so far, we just keep chatting through our Picasa albums.
Mon, 03/16/2009 - 21:48
#3
Oh wow Judith! I am so grateful I inspired U! I can't wait to see pictures of your homemade hydro system. I totally want to build 1 too but I have to make room in my apt. I have run out of free corners 
Tue, 03/17/2009 - 04:23
#4
Hi Y'all! Basically, at my local Hydro store, each bucket system cost $28 (rounded off) - included black bucket, (keep the light out) black cover with mesh basket, clay balls, pump, air stone, tubing, and they drilled the holes for the tubing and installed the drain for me. Bought separately, ph test kit, up & down bottles, and flora nutes 1 of each. I'm sure it can be done more economically, but I needed the help. (disabled and hubby passed on) Yes, I've spent quite a bit all told, and was wondering myself what hole am I trying to fill? But I spend most of my time right here in the house, so ultimately decided not to worry about it, and just enjoy it. (I already had the carts on wheels, shop lights, etc.)
Did you check out my attachment above? Very simple system. I exchanged the single pumps for 2 duals and will put 2 buckets on each cart (originally file carts) with a pump between them. I also already had an extra surge protector. Will take pics of the whole setup when I have it assembled. (I can only work on it for short periods and had to clear out space for it first) 
(I think that's laughter).
The only cherry toms I like are the very sweet ones, but the Ruby's are supposedly quite good. (I read that somewhere) So far the Ruby's (yes, AG) and bell peppers are in my estimation, very slow. One pod finally looks like a tomato, and the other is up but not the 2nd leaves yet, and the bells are just now forming 2nd leaves. On the other hand, I just checked my notes, and they are only at 2 weeks and 3 days today, Tuesday, so I guess I'm just being impatient. hahahaha
Will try to learn how to post pictures today. In the meantime, check out my attachment above.
Jessi I know what you mean! I've had to spend quite a bit of time clearing out room in my craft room and I still don't have the system in place yet! lol.
Gisette I'll definitely check out Ellen's album. Thanks for the heads up.
Enjoy!
J
Tue, 03/17/2009 - 05:21
#5
Sounds like a real deal, Judith, my big hydro store has something similar in an ebb & flow system and made the innovation of having the drain tube insite the feed tube (whoopee!) then doubled the price. Can't wait to see what you come up with, I really like that design. Be sure to keep us posted.
On a tangent, have you seen how much more advanced other coutries are than we are? I'm using AutoPots from the UK that gisette turned me on to and the dollar to pound ratio is dropping quickly. It's cheaper to buy over there and pay for international shipping than it is to buy local. I doubt that will last for long.
Anyway, don't be a stranger, keep us informed.
Tue, 03/17/2009 - 09:03
#6
Hey Judith!
You are giving me ideas! I was thinking I would make a system & cut a hole in something & use some mighty putty to seal the drainer thingy in place but just having the hardware store do it for me...thats A good idea!
I still might do it myself just cuz I'm a nut & I love projects. On a side note... this gardening bug I developed has helped keep my mind off my diet! I am growing food not eating food! lol
Tue, 03/17/2009 - 09:08
#7
Sounds like you got a great deal, Judith!
Plants make good company. And they certainly take love and attention. 
Tue, 03/17/2009 - 09:32
#8
Bruce: I checked out the ebb & flo systems too, but deemed them to expensive for me. And I had come across auto pots online, but still don't really know how they work. I've already spent way way way to much on all this, (between AG's & my buckets), so I don't really want to be enticed by anything else. lol --
Do you have any advice about how much to feed (flora nutes) in a 5 gal bucket?
Jessi: They used a valve with rubber type washers to seal the drain. I don't see any glue.
Gisette: I took a couple of pictures of the AG's, so will be trying to post them shortly.
Enjoy!
Tue, 03/17/2009 - 09:48
#9
Judith, that's a great system you have there - you'll be able to grow some decent plants with that. Are you happy about how to use it i.e. how far the water level has to be to the net baskets etc.
If this helps, Deep Water Culture (DWC) in a nutshell...
"The system relies upon an air pump and an air stone to bubble air through the nutrient solution. In the beginning you need to generate spray, so as to get the clay pebble medium wet in order to establish the roots through the net pot.
The water has to be high enough to saturate the clay pebble medium by means of getting it wet or even moist via the actions of the bursting air bubbles.
Once the plant has established a good root system, then lower the level of water in the bucket so that some of the roots can be allowed to hang in the air between the net pot and the water level".
As for the nutrients, I think Bruce posted the link to GH in another thread (here it is in case you missed it). Just fill in the boxes and it will all be worked out for you. You then just match your plant type to the nutrients by watering down the nutrient mix, if needed. 
Tue, 03/17/2009 - 09:54
#10
I'm really impressed Judith! You just jumped right into the big kids pool with mixing your own nuts & everything. I'm still shy mostly because of space and not know what else I could possibly grow right now!
Tue, 03/17/2009 - 11:28
#12
the link to what Judith?
to paste a link: just copy & paste it in the body like so
http://aerogardenmastery.com/drupal/content/jessi-jordans-grow-logs
(the computer does the rest)
To get a little more fancy... u have to know a little html but here are the very basics
1. hit source on the panel with all the little icons on it
2. put your cursor before the word you want to make the link...
for example: here
then type
<a href="
then paste your link
then type
">
then after the word (in our example here)
type
</a>
and you have
click this link here
Edit Post:
Looks like you worked that all out already! Before I finished typing!
Tue, 03/17/2009 - 11:33
#13
Hi Jessi!!
Were you able to see my pictures by clicking on the word here? 4 of them.
Now I'd like to be able to insert the pictures right into the body of the post like y'all do.
Can you help me with that?
Tue, 03/17/2009 - 11:56
#14
Yes! I could see your pics! Nice! I see alot of room for some outriders on that table too!
Sure I can help... what you have to do hit source then copy the embed code of your sideshow & paste it in the body ...
I dont know why it doesnt look like Gisettes & Peats but you know, I kinda like this!
Tue, 03/17/2009 - 12:10
#15
Thanks for the link Peat. I didn't have it. But now I have another question: in the chart, one of the rows is "Nutrient Solution" which changes with the stage of growth. What does that mean and how do I use that information?
Another question: you said "You then just match your plant type to the nutrients by watering down the nutrient mix, if needed. " How do I do that?
Enjoy!
Tue, 03/17/2009 - 12:23
#16
Great pics Jessi! I'd like to get my pics into the body of the msg like you did with the grow kits. How did you do that?
Tue, 03/17/2009 - 12:33
#17
oh thats easy!
Just copy the the link of your pic
hit the pic box (located next the smiles) on the icon bar
paste the link in the box under where it says URL
then type 400 in the box next to the width
Tue, 03/17/2009 - 12:55
#18
It's not working. And I notice that in the box that comes up in Picassa is a strange language. How do I change that to English?
Skip that I just found the spot but it didn't help. Grrrrrrr
Tue, 03/17/2009 - 12:55
#19
It's a quite a subject to explain in depth here, can you read through my guide (part 2 mainly), I think you already have it?
In brief: plants go through different phases of growth, during these stages you need to change the feed mixture. The nutrient solution number is a figure that says how strong the nutrients are - the greater the number, the more concentrated the nutrients.
Matching the plant type: for example, say you were growing lettuce, that lettuce required an EC (measure of nutrient concentration) of 1.2 You would mix your nutrients up and measure the EC of the mixture. If it was too high, say 1.5, then you would add water until it goes down to 1.2, adding water dilutes the nutrients and lowers the figure - less concentrated.
To confuse things further, GH uses something called PPM (parts per million) to measure their nutrients - I use EC (which is easier to understand), but you can convert from EC to PPM (500 scale) using the part 2 page 6 chart.
Does this help?
Have a good read of the guide, it was easy for me to understand but I'm used to doing this, I was always unsure if it was good enough for someone starting out from scratch. It can be a little tricky until you get the hang of it, then you will always wonder what the confusion was. 
If you have any problems, we'll all be able to help you out - I want to see you succeed with your new kit.
Tue, 03/17/2009 - 13:09
#20
Thanks Peat. Yes, I have the guide, have read it, and some of it's like Greek to me. Maybe as I get going it'll become clearer.
Maybe you could help me get started? For instance, I'm going to start with cucumbers and bell peppers. I've started the plants in the AG and will wait till they have long roots, then will transfer them to the buckets minus the plastic AG holder. (I hope I'll be able to extricate it)
At that point, how much and of what should I feed each? I'll match your answers to the charts from GH and your part 2, then I may be able to actually do it for myself from there. lol.
I may be on the way to understanding -- I just looked at the GH chart again, and your explanation is beginning to make a little sense. (keep in mind I'm totally new at this) I did buy your recommendation for the Blue Lab thing, so I should be able to follow it all once I get it thru my head.
I'm not going to plant them in the buckets till I hear how to feed properly! 
J
Tue, 03/17/2009 - 13:16
#21
I'll make a chart for you (using EC), tailor it to 5 gallons to grow the cucumber; be back later with it...
Tue, 03/17/2009 - 13:23
#22
WOW!!! Thanks loads!!!!
Tue, 03/17/2009 - 13:27
#23
I'm sorry Judith I don't know how to better explain it maybe someone else can help explain it better.
Tue, 03/17/2009 - 14:45
#24
Don't worry, someone will come up with a way to do it.
Onward ho!
I'll let you know if I get it working.
Tue, 03/17/2009 - 15:36
#25
Here we are Judith, some tips for you, I hope this helps a little.
It's not possible to put a .pdf in a reply so it's in Peat's Guide - Cuke Growing Tips
Tue, 03/17/2009 - 16:19
#26
Nice pix, Judith! What kind of cucumber are you growing? (Me big cucumber fan. )
So you're a Picasa pro now! Next step is using the Picasa Lightboxer. And wherever the instructions cease making sense - please add a comment over there? So I can make the help files clearer.
Tue, 03/17/2009 - 17:49
#27
Peat: I'm blown away by your kindness!.. Thank you very much.
I have a couple of questions:
1. This is probably a dumb question, but you say "do this for 1 week". I'm assuming that means feed once at the beginning of the week, then drain at the end of the week. Not feeding every day, right?
2. I'll be using tap water for the buckets. Should I adjust ph before starting the feeding? i.e. Before putting the plants in the buckets?
Thanks.
Tue, 03/17/2009 - 17:49
#28
Gisette: Not sure the name of the cuke, but will look it up and get back to you for sure.
No, not doing well with Picasa. I haven't been able to get a picture in the body of the message. What comes up for me isn't what you're describing, or I'm not seeing it. And when I get to a spot that a box comes up with writing in it, the writing is in a foreign language. (where the picture is supposed to show up I think. I have Vista and I'm wondering if that's part of the problem.
I won't tackle lightboxer until this part is solved. Can you help?
Thanks.
Tue, 03/17/2009 - 18:07
#29
I am not Peat, but for Qn1, yes, use the nutrient mixed for 1 week then change.
For Qn2, I would test the tap water first for EC and pH to see how good or bad the water is first. If EC is low and pH around 7, continue as normal. After mixing, test again and adjust for both to the required pH and EC.
Tue, 03/17/2009 - 18:38
#30
Judith, Ok -
1. You did great with Picasa! I saw your pictures, and you linked to your album just fine!
2. The foreign language I think you're referring to is Latin, in the Insert / Edit Image tool, Preview window. Right? That area is just showing how the text (garbage Latin text!) will flow around your picture, after your picture is inserted.
I added some illustrations to the Lightboxes help page - try again?
You're really very close. Just make sure when you put a URL in the Insert / Edit Image dialog, you have a long string of gobblygook that ends in ".JPG".
Wow, deluxe, Judith! I envy your array! How much did your hydroponic systems cost?
Really looking forward to hearing how the ruby tomatoes grow for you, too. This is the midsize heirloom from Aerogarden, yes? I might try growing tomatoes again if I ever see someone else succeed with something bigger than a cherry tomato! (I don't really like cherry tomatoes.
)