just built a clone bubbler, need a few pointers

h8u · Mar 2, 2006

new to cloning, was too chilly recently so my clones woulndt root, i made a bubbler

2 gallon fish tank, airstone, heater, thermometer...

keepin it just below 80

question 1:

how far away should i keep the water level from stem tips

question 2:

lighting? am i correct in guessing that almost any light source will do, even a small flouro since they just need to root and think its not night?

24/7 light?

i guess thats it for now, these cuttings are like 3-4 weeks old now, hopefully this warm water bubbler helps

RM - aquagrower · Mar 2, 2006

1) there is a good bit of debate reguarding this. some folks keep thw water level a couple of inches below the stems, and use the "bursting bubbles" to mist the stems. others simlpy submerge the stems into the water, i submerge because it takes the guess work out of it.

2) uea, small cfls work great. i use a 20 watt approx 10" above the cloner

GotTheBlues · Mar 2, 2006

I like having the tips touching the water so when it does root some water has evaporated and is at the right level where the bubbles splash the roots

blazeoneup · Mar 3, 2006

I personally leave about 1/4-1/2" inbetween the stems of the cut and the water level works both ways but imo keeping the cuts above water will result in faster roots and just over-all healthier clones.

However both ways work either or,One is quicker thing is if you dont have enough bubbles meaning multiple stones or powerhead ect.Then you may result in death of cuts.If there is enough bubbles then you will get faster and healthier rooted clones keeping the tips above the water level allowing the mist from the bubbles to keep the stem wet.

I would put a few 40w cfl's on them compact floresents work great for clones and they are cheap,ou dont wnat intense lighting but you do want plenty of light.

This shows how good the roots develope above the water!

This shows how far above the water i keep the cuts,The water level touches the bottom of the net cup and i cut my clones to size where cut stays 1/4-1/2" above the bottom of the 3" net.Works very good this way imo..

relic2779 · Mar 3, 2006

I actually submerse mine completely in the bubbling water. (about 1/4 an inch) They root in about 7 days. Seems to be the average. To each is own. I never have any problems.

blazeoneup · Mar 3, 2006

You should leave one 1/4-1/2" above it one time to see the difference,I would be very suprised if it is not the first one rooted.

But as stated above both methods work to each his own

Snowdog27 · Mar 3, 2006

I have tried both ways it is a mater for personal prefference but I prefer to leave my tips about 1/4 deep in the water.

RuralRoute420 · Mar 4, 2006

.

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make sure you use RO water or something close, add nothing

i use a 13w daylight CFL

frostyy420 · Mar 4, 2006

Does RO water really matter?

RuralRoute420 · Mar 4, 2006

depends on what your tap is.......mine is high, can't use it....2 gallons of distilled water $1......great results.....

frostyy420 · Mar 4, 2006

Just wondering cause I'm going to be making one soon. New to Hydro/Water

My tap water is around 8.4 Can't use it in cloner? Have to use bottled RO water?

dan kay · Mar 4, 2006

i have shitty tap water but just let it sit and haven't had any problems so far (looks for wood to knock on). the key to the water level is to keep the stems wet and not let them dry out. its growin dope have fun and experiment

if you want to test if your water is high enough let your cloner run for a 10-20 minutes empty and see if the bottom of the lid is wet, if so you know there's enough water for the clones.

Guest · Mar 4, 2006

I am trying it myself with a strain that took almost 4 weeks to show roots in rapid rooters. I submerged the roots and at day 7 there was nothing. Haven't checked yet today. I am hoping it is a good solution for those hard to root strains.

dan kay · Mar 4, 2006

my c99 takes 2-3 weeks but once they get started they really take off. remember to change your water out atleast once a week if that hasn't already been mentioned.

relic2779 · Mar 4, 2006

Normally my temps are high 70's when I clone and I never have any problems, but has anyone had any experience cloning with temps at 69-70 degrees? I got a buddy who's clones won't root and I think it may be the temps. He has a bubbling cloner that I built for him, but in his basement it's pretty chilly.

He's using plain RO water, no nutes, PH is a steady 6.7 temps are around 69 degree's. He's got the tips of the stems just barely touching the water and he has a nice bubble popping splashing effect. Anyone experimented with temps before?

RuralRoute420 · Mar 4, 2006

i just finished with this, ran 3 gallon distilled water, nothing else, stems submerged, with 7 1/2 watt aquarium heater, kept 3 gallons @ 72'F, 14 days roots, no dome, RH was low - under 50%, first go-around.

now for my question for dankay and anyone else saying to change water out....why? if its RO water, why? just introduce nutes after roots appear, eh? and ph. i left them in in cloner for an extra 2 weeks after the original 2(total of 4) because i wasn't ready for them, all they did was grow.....anyone that can clear this up???

dan kay · Mar 4, 2006

rural: i got the changing water from the OG FAQs, never tried a head to head comparison. i just use normal tap water not RO or anything else.

relic: yeah i built mine without a heater originally and clones just sat in stasis before i added the heater. keep your water temps between 75-80. i bought one of those little sticky strip aquarium thermometer for my cloner

dan kay · Mar 4, 2006

air temps or water temps? yeah i've tried cloning with my water about 70 and the clones just sat in stasis until i got a heater then they seemed to start the rooting process a week or 2 after i installed the heater. here's what ya need. http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?R=4982&sku=799220&familyID=10398& just get one with an adjustable internal thermometer. I'd also recommend one of the little black stick on strip thermometers for the outside of the cloner like http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?R=9243&sku=257877&familyID=7036&

edit: haha forgot there was a page 2... and i'm not even high right now... wtf is wrong with me.

GoGreenGiant · Mar 7, 2006

My experiments have taught me that... COLD IS BAD!!

But as long as you're mid seventies, i've been fine.
I have also had cutings die above the water, and have had good success with stems submerged. get a good seal around the stem and the lid, you don't want the tops of the plants to get wet, it leads to rot.

I think I'm gonna try letting the level drop now and again so it gets a little of both worlds after reading this thread.

To the guy with the C99, 2-3 weeks?? I want to say that seems like forever!

I have new Genetics, Apollo 11, which according to the breeder has some C99 in it's family tree. I was starting to get worried that roots hadn't shown after a week. The bag seed plants I have grown before have rooted like nobody's business! Good to know it shouldn't be unusual.

Has your experience been that C99 was tough to clone? Good success rates?

-GoGreen

dan kay · Mar 7, 2006

i've had good success rates just seems to take a while with c99. yeah i had heard a11 and c99 are related somehow. cindys roots are kinda weak too i've busted them up pretty good putting them into the soil before.

just built a clone bubbler, need a few pointers

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