BigTokes ~ "How-To" Of The Bio-Buckets 101

[HOVAH]

HEY Big Toke im thinking of doing a 100 bucket bio system , and i was wondering if its practical to do so. The price of 100 buckets is gonna be 600 dollars is this too much, and i think im gonna have to buy 2 Mag drive 5000 pumps , and what would be the Rez size for 100 biobuckets? thanks

 

[HOVAH]

sensi star , sourdiesel

 

[cid420]

where u buy lava rocks i've only seen clay pellets and peat moss ,rockwoll and stuff u buy it from a hydro website links ?

 

[StealthSniper]

Hey BigToke

I am almost ready to start building my Bio-Bucket Setup. Here's a couple snap pics of todays very busy day...these were soil, organic, and smell amazing! But I can't wait to do my Bio Setup, it totally rules.

Will a 4000 GPH pump be enough for 50 buckets? I think I'll be keeping moms at another location, or just using clones, so it'll be 50 buckets instead of 48.

 

[Guest]

where u buy lava rocks i've only seen clay pellets and peat moss ,rockwoll and stuff u buy it from a hydro website links ?

Do You Have a large home improvement store nearby? A landscape supply should be able to get some. Any large store with a garden center that sells decorative rock and such would be a good place to look. It's also the same stuff they use for gas grills.

 

[Guest]

Hope I did this correctly
[/IMG]

It worked! I built a close loop manifold (water feed) to help even out pressure. The main line is 1" pvc teed off with 1/2" valves to each bucket. I have plenty of volume to each bucket. I kept the vertical lines as short as possible to reduce head loss from the pump. More picts coming up!

 

[BigToke]

@..................CRACKER,

Also can I replace the H2o2 with a little clorine bleach?

No no no, only use H202 to soak your lava rocks (over-night) before putting them into the system, make sure to wash them off really good with plain tap-water before putting them into the system, ok. Dame I like that bio-setup cracker, a word of advice if I may, seeing that your buckets are side-by-side I would recommend that you start flowering at one foot to start with.

@................HOVAH, ………..if your for real about this then PM me.

@...............S.S, ………

Will a 4000 GPH pump be enough for 50 buckets? I think I'll be keeping moms at another location, or just using clones, so it'll be 50 buckets instead of 48.

……….in sort, yes!!

 

[Guest]

I set the buckets too close and the rack is too high . I'm loosing all kinda grow area. Next one will be better. The setup cycled in record time. I added 1/4 general hydro solution and popped a couple of RW plugs with sprouts yesterday! So now I wait! Thanks

 

[BigToke]

Sup Schneider, I don’t use anything the last week to week and an half, I just let the plant use up what every it needs and that’s it……usually I like to be at around 800 to 900 ppms at harvest.

 

[Hu$tle Tree$]

Hey Toke,

I'm setting up for my next run with the buckets. Last run went fantastic,only problem is i needed to flower a bit sooner, they got huge!! Anyways I was wondering what you used to keep the roots from flowing into the drain line. If i recall correctly you placed something in the net pot to keep the roots from growing in that direction. I was trying to figure out an inert media to use.....

Keep up the great work!!!

 

[mister_terious]

Clarification Please

Clarification Please

Big Toke, Can you clarify one minor detail for me? That being when you state 0-2-1 for growing and 0-2-3 for flowering, is that ml / Liter or gallon. M_T

 

[Rattrap]

Hey Big toke,
Just a quicky on the lava rocks. In Aus i was only able to find a product called scoria. Its a volcanic rock all right, but is it the same as what u use & if not will it do the job??? Heres a pic of the scoria.

Also, will dutch Master nutes work ok in a biobucket system? DM have a product called 'zone' that i'm using in my current grow (not a bio-bucket system). They call it a 'water sanitization system' - 'so gentle u can use it for the life of your entire crop' Is it suitable for use with bio-bucket systems?


thanks mate.

 

[BigToke]

@.............Schneider, …………it’s just my personal fav that’s all, I’ve never really had any taste problem but hay if you really want the truth about it I don’t flush at ALL!! Most of the time I run it between 1000 to 1300 ppms right up till harvest……….I only said that for you guys starting out as a rule of thumb………good luck bro.

@.............H$.T$, ……….it was just a clear piece of plastic that’s all, I just cut to fit inside the net-pot………..I put that in first and then put my lava rocks in and that healed it in place and also kept the roots from growing-out on that one side.

@............M.T,……….that would be gallon.

@.............Rattrap,……….as long as it’s not solid that’s looks fine, I really can’t make any comment about this because I’ve never used it none do I know of anyone who does.

 

[guest]

Thank you Big Toke

Thank you Big Toke

I just had to take the time to say thanks.

I've been lurking for months here.
This thread has been one of my favorites.

I'm going to use the Bio Bucket method with one modification:

On the outlet side, inside the bucket I intend to use a PVC "T".

The center tap of this "T" will point outside to the drain flex pipe.
Inside the bucket, one part of the "T" will be open and pointing up.
The other part of the "T" will be pointed down and fited with flex pipe to the bottom of the bucket.

This should provide the same amount of flow with less root cloging.
(The roots have to grow all the way to the bottom of the bucket before they even start to clog the drain tube.)
In addition, this method will cause the solution to flow through any root ball growing.

By using the "T" and leaving the top open, there will be no chance of syphen action.

Even if the roots clog the pipe at the bottom of the bucket, the top of the "T" will provide overflow protection for a day or two.

This is the mother (now dead):

 

[Smokin]

Greetings and Salutations BigToke! I have been amazed at the Bio System for some time now and have been talking with Daltron. I have asked him many many many questions and he has been a real help in helping me getting them answered. He states that you are the authority on Bio Buckets and he sent me this way and WOW! is all I have to say. I have been reading this thread for days and the more I read the more I like.

Will you be able to help assist me on telling me what parts I need to get together for a 12 bio bucket system? I currently have a 12 x 12 by 8 feet hight garage that I am constructing. I am just about ready to order all the pieces to get things moving, but needed a parts list. I will be emulating Daltron's grow almost to the T.

Smokin

 

[teachme]

Hey Bigtoke, I’ve been reading this for awhile and have learned a ton about the buckets and I would love to learn more. I have decided to try a perpetual bio-bucket setup of 16 buckets in 3 stages of growth. With a harvest of one plant per week.
Here’s what I have;
-5 gal buckets
-10 inch net pots
-6’x10’ with a 600watt HPS on a 6ft. light mover
-reserviors ??? don’t know what size yet.
-396GPH pump
-1/2 PVC for the water in and 11/4” exit

The other side of the room is the same size with a perpetual aeroponic sea of green. I harvest a little every week. So I have the perpetual side down I just need some guidance on nutrient management, reservoir size, and a few other things too.

I have a few questions:
1. How many sqft of grow room do you give each bucket?
2. How big of a reservoir for an 8 bucket set up, 6 bucket, 2 bucket?
3. I currently use a bubble cloner and was wondering if I could just put the root in the
water and support the rest of the plant with some extra lava rocks?
4. Will the pump be strong enough?
5. Will six weeks of veg be too long?
6. How big do the root balls get?
-I am planning on tranfering just the plant from stage to stage, not the whole bucket
with a leaching period in between in a regular DWC bucket.
7. Do you think that a perpetual system can work? Shoot me straight I don’t mind good
criticism’s.

Thanks a ton for everything that you have already posted, I’m hoping that it has taught me a new a better way to go about my hobby.

 

[brooklyn]

pump question

pump question

peace bt, finally got my biobucket up and somewhat running, i have a rio 1100(300gph) and an ecoplus 396(396 gph) submersible pumps, i have 4 x 5gal, 11gal controller res., i have tried both pumps and they both start off strong then after running a while, slowly the pressure dies within the pump, i have the pump very close to the buckets(underneath to be exact)...is either of these powerheads strong enuf? or do i need another type?

peace

 

[BigToke]

PB ~ thanks………and the I idea sounds like an idea for sure, how’s about a pic of that.

Smokin ~ thanks for the props………I have a better idea, how’s about you putting down your parts list and I’ll make the nessery adjustments to it, besides that, every thing that your going to need is right here.

Teachme ~ sounds like your on your way bro…….so lets answer some of those Q’s for ya.

How many sqft of grow room do you give each bucket?[/qutoe]
all one needs to do is just look at my grow/room and the lighting layout and there you have it…….
[qutoe] How big of a reservoir for an 8 bucket set up, 6 bucket, 2 bucket?

ok, lets start at the top: 16 buckets, (12-gallon, with one foot drop) ~ 8 buckets, (6-gallon, with one foot drop) ~ 6 buckets, (4.5-gallons with one foot drop)

I currently use a bubble cloner and was wondering if I could just put the root in the
water and support the rest of the plant with some extra lava rocks?

yes.

will the pump be strong enough?

for how many buckets?

will six weeks of veg be too long?

not if your growing trees…lol

Do you think that a perpetual system can work? Shoot me straight I don’t mind good
criticism’s.

not in the same system……….there are too many reasons for me to go into right now and besides that I’m not getting to spend that much time on here anymore so just trust me and………

Brooklyn ~ sup my man……….there must be some other issues going on because that should be a big enough pump.

 

[Guest]

!4 days ,so far so good! BT on page 2, post# 27 You suggested a 1000wat light on a mover would effectively light a 22 bucket setup in an 8 by 8 by 80 area. How would You configure this? Meaning how would place the buckets? Thanks

 

[teachme]

Thanks for the answers BT. The pump would be for 8 buckets at most. and there would be three separate systems that would total 16 buckets an 8, 6, and 2 bucket setup. Now I just have to get it going. Since it looks very possible I'm going to start building up the buckets and res and get this system rocking. I've been thinking about building a little one first and then the bigger, just so I get this feeling for this new style. Not sure of whether or no to just go for broke from the start

peace