by Greg Green
The bubbler
Basically the bubbler is just a bucket with a lid and pump. But the set-up is so extraordinary that it simply zings the plant into life. This method can grow a plant from 5 ft. to 8 ft. (if not more), with plenty of fresh buds as long as it maintained and managed well by you, the grower.
Here is a list of what to you need to build the bubbler.
The Bubble Bucket:
(1) Get two 5-Gallon buckets with lids. (Wash it out with bleach)
(2) Get a 6? Net pot.
(3) Cut a hole in lid of bucket so the net pot sits in neatly all the way down.
(4) Cut a hole in the lid about 2cm in diameter near the rim (the pump hose goes in here).
(5) Use Black gaffer tape to wrap the pot so it is light proof. (If light gets in algae will develop in the water. This is not good.) the lid as well.
(6) Get a fish-tank pump and air-stone.
(7) Get your medium together – rockwool, clay pebbles etc.
(8) Get the Nutrients and Mixes together.
Simply mix your nutrients together in the second bucket. Set the air-stone in the centre on the bottom of the first bucket and hang the air pump somewhere above the water level on the wall of your grow room. Use the hole in the lid to feed the airline through. Fill the bucket up with the nutrients to a level were the net pot just touches the solution. Turn on your air pump for 24 hours a day. That is it. The pump will send air through the tube to the air-stone and it is released into the water. The air bubbles the solution causing it to splash at the surface wetting the roots and feeding the plant. Check the bubbler everyday to see how much your plant has drunk. Let your roots get air everyday by letting a root zone form. Let the solution level drop an inch below the net pot. The net pot holds the cutting in rockwool and the rockwool is surrounded by the clay pebbles. Do not constantly top up your reservoir, it is sometimes better to let the water level drop 1 gallon and then replace that gallon. Once a root mass has develop the plant will grow like no other.
Basically this set-up is just bubbling the nutrients solution with the pump. The pump sucks in air from the room and this air contains Oxygen that the roots need. As the unit bubbles the roots get air, nutrients and water. The plant loves this and thrives.
When you want to change your mix you may have a spare bucket that is the same shape and size. Simply swap the lid over with the plant, root-mass and air-stone into the new bucket. This is a great little system that comes highly commended.