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before I invest a lot of money on a recirculating deep water culture system, I want to try one out for myself.
So, I came up with this system myself for $27 and materials and equipment I already had... all I needed was the 7 gallon bucket, the 10 inch net pot, and a small air pump to replace the larger air pump I used for this project.
I drilled an 1 1/2 hole in the side of the bucket near the bottom, and installed a 3/4 inch bulkhead for the intake for the chilled water... then I drilled an 1 1/2 hole in the side of the bucket, so that the water exits just below where the bottom of the net pot sits. The water then pours out into the reservoir again, and then is pumped back into the chiller.
I put an 8 inch glass air stone in the bucket, and 3 regular aquarium air stones in the reservoir.
the pump is rated at 250 gallons per hour, and the chiller is 1/4 horse power, and keep the temperature of the nutrient solution is between 63 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
I am using the Current Culture line for this one.
I put it all together on the 5th of September, and transplanted a Maui Blue Dream clone with a two foot long tail into the net pot... I cut a one inch hole in the bottom of the net pot, for the tail of the clone to slide through, so that it would sit in the nutrient solution right away. I filled the net pot with hydroton.
following are 3 pictures... One on the 5th, one of the roots taken 3 days later (also the day I topped it in 3 places) ,and one taken this morning.
So, I came up with this system myself for $27 and materials and equipment I already had... all I needed was the 7 gallon bucket, the 10 inch net pot, and a small air pump to replace the larger air pump I used for this project.
I drilled an 1 1/2 hole in the side of the bucket near the bottom, and installed a 3/4 inch bulkhead for the intake for the chilled water... then I drilled an 1 1/2 hole in the side of the bucket, so that the water exits just below where the bottom of the net pot sits. The water then pours out into the reservoir again, and then is pumped back into the chiller.
I put an 8 inch glass air stone in the bucket, and 3 regular aquarium air stones in the reservoir.
the pump is rated at 250 gallons per hour, and the chiller is 1/4 horse power, and keep the temperature of the nutrient solution is between 63 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
I am using the Current Culture line for this one.
I put it all together on the 5th of September, and transplanted a Maui Blue Dream clone with a two foot long tail into the net pot... I cut a one inch hole in the bottom of the net pot, for the tail of the clone to slide through, so that it would sit in the nutrient solution right away. I filled the net pot with hydroton.
following are 3 pictures... One on the 5th, one of the roots taken 3 days later (also the day I topped it in 3 places) ,and one taken this morning.