i haven't read through all 35 pages so i'm sorry if this is asked/covered somewhere else but i noticed that you(big toke) said you don't do a final flush before you chop the ladies down,how does that work out. i currently grow in a coco coir/perlite mix and it works great but i got some arjans haze thats slow and sickly no matter what i do and i was gonna set up a 6 bucket system specifically for them.was just wondering about your final flush and how not flushing affects your final product. thanks for the great thread,its very informative and professional.
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BigTokes ~ "How-To" Of The Bio-Buckets 101
- Thread starter BigToke
- Start date
Rattrap
Member
hey stonedm, i'm running a 9 bucket system at the moment & i always run my girls on plain water for the last 1-2 weeks of the grow. I've tried not flushing them & it didn't seem to make any difference to final weight.
But it does seem to affect the smoke quality heaps.
Because the plants are so damn healthy they have a shit load of nutes still stored within them, obvious by the fact that there are no nute diffency signs what so ever.
But it does seem to affect the smoke quality heaps.
Because the plants are so damn healthy they have a shit load of nutes still stored within them, obvious by the fact that there are no nute diffency signs what so ever.
3BM
Member
I think BT said he didnt flush because he doesnt use a traditional flush. He reduces the nute ppm the last few weeks. I have seen many other bio users cut out nutes all together, as rattrap says, with great results. No need to replace all the water, just cut out nutes and keep adding back water. The ppm will slowly drop as the plants/microbes use up remaining nutrient, inducing the plants to use reserves in their tissues (yellowing leaves, etc). Basically, you will need to tailor a stop time on nutes relevant to your strain/conditions. Feeding right up to the end probably will affect the flavor, but your tastes may vary. Hope that helps!
3bm
3bm
Rattrap
Member
hey Gman, no i haven't.
In order to do that i'd have to cut the 32mm outlet holes lower in the top of the bucket.
This current grow i made the mistake of setting the cutting in rockwool too low in the net pot, only just above the water level & the RW stayed way too wet causing a lil bit of stem rot in 1 of the plants. Because my net pots just sit in a hole in the lid i was able to raise the net pot by about 30mm which stopped the wet RW problem. Interestingly the plant with a 2inch collar of stem rot right above the lava rocks still has the stem rot but without any noticed effect to the plant. I installed a fan to blow directly onto the stem problem in the hopes of drying the rot out. Didn't work but the problem never advanced either.
In order to do that i'd have to cut the 32mm outlet holes lower in the top of the bucket.
This current grow i made the mistake of setting the cutting in rockwool too low in the net pot, only just above the water level & the RW stayed way too wet causing a lil bit of stem rot in 1 of the plants. Because my net pots just sit in a hole in the lid i was able to raise the net pot by about 30mm which stopped the wet RW problem. Interestingly the plant with a 2inch collar of stem rot right above the lava rocks still has the stem rot but without any noticed effect to the plant. I installed a fan to blow directly onto the stem problem in the hopes of drying the rot out. Didn't work but the problem never advanced either.
Rattrap
Member
Well i got drain pipes in the bottom too but they are mostly for draining the buckets, only 13mm.
I also have plumbed the bottom drain lines back into the main res to help with water flow when the plants get really well established. 2 biobucket grows in a row now i've had problems with the roots blocking the 32mm outlet so i'm hoping that with the extra drainage might slow root buildup in the outlet pipes.
I also have plumbed the bottom drain lines back into the main res to help with water flow when the plants get really well established. 2 biobucket grows in a row now i've had problems with the roots blocking the 32mm outlet so i'm hoping that with the extra drainage might slow root buildup in the outlet pipes.
G
Guest
tag 15 more pages to go.
I'mmmm baaaaack! or is it still here?
I thought is was a close match to blazeoneup's DWC system - but improved. I R LRND!
I've seen first hand what a F&D system can do over my dirt grow, this looks to be within my abilitys and it improves my shortcomings.
the problem I am having is I usually have seperate veg and flower areas with perpetual harvest. That will require some tweeking for bio buckets.
I was thinking - how about using net pots and stacking a 2 in. on top of a 4 in. on top of a 6 in. much like stacking soil plants. As soon as the roots get to the outside of the net- it goes on top of a larger pot full of lavarock in the next station - and finaly when the roots and plant have grown - then move to flower.
Would the lava rock be benificial - not benificial - more a preferd enviorment for dense growth, would the roots permiate the rocks? or would the roots grow more out and around and down?
I'm planing an 8 bucket sytem in flower, I would have room for 4 or 5 seperate systems or some soil some hydro combo, (Old habits die hard) I like the ability to have multiple seperate systems - all the eggs in one basket or something.
I dunno - think I can alter it to a perpetual type sysyem?
I'mmmm baaaaack! or is it still here?
I thought is was a close match to blazeoneup's DWC system - but improved. I R LRND!
I've seen first hand what a F&D system can do over my dirt grow, this looks to be within my abilitys and it improves my shortcomings.
the problem I am having is I usually have seperate veg and flower areas with perpetual harvest. That will require some tweeking for bio buckets.
I was thinking - how about using net pots and stacking a 2 in. on top of a 4 in. on top of a 6 in. much like stacking soil plants. As soon as the roots get to the outside of the net- it goes on top of a larger pot full of lavarock in the next station - and finaly when the roots and plant have grown - then move to flower.
Would the lava rock be benificial - not benificial - more a preferd enviorment for dense growth, would the roots permiate the rocks? or would the roots grow more out and around and down?
I'm planing an 8 bucket sytem in flower, I would have room for 4 or 5 seperate systems or some soil some hydro combo, (Old habits die hard) I like the ability to have multiple seperate systems - all the eggs in one basket or something.
I dunno - think I can alter it to a perpetual type sysyem?
Last edited:
Mr.GoodStuff
New member
What's up BigToke!!! I know this is my first post here but I really could use your opinion on something. I also have an idea that I'm not sure has been done yet that I would like to share- the double waterfall, one after another for hopefully double the oxygen delivery.
The forum isn't letting me post the design for some reason... It's in my gallery though.
This design will also raise the plants up to inbetween chest/stomach level, which is perfect for training and trimming without having to break your back.
My question is that my brother and I just built a bio-system (I like to call it a river system because of the waterfall and water movement) and the main rez is inside the closet with the plants. I'm thinking the rez temps could go as high as 82 without a chiller- and my question to you is:
If he's exchanging the water 25X an hour, do you think he will be alright on dissolved oxygen? Or do you think we need to add some airpumps to the root zone just in case? I wish I had a DO meter like you... But thanks for your time, you've helped me tremendously with finding my dream system! I can't thank you enough for sharing this- I tell everyone who grows about BigToke and the bio-buckets
The forum isn't letting me post the design for some reason... It's in my gallery though.
This design will also raise the plants up to inbetween chest/stomach level, which is perfect for training and trimming without having to break your back.
My question is that my brother and I just built a bio-system (I like to call it a river system because of the waterfall and water movement) and the main rez is inside the closet with the plants. I'm thinking the rez temps could go as high as 82 without a chiller- and my question to you is:
If he's exchanging the water 25X an hour, do you think he will be alright on dissolved oxygen? Or do you think we need to add some airpumps to the root zone just in case? I wish I had a DO meter like you... But thanks for your time, you've helped me tremendously with finding my dream system! I can't thank you enough for sharing this- I tell everyone who grows about BigToke and the bio-buckets
Last edited:
hgtv
New member
Hi BigToke,
Excellent read! I am seriously considering building a 50-60 bucket system. with a 100 gal reservoir.
If I understand your posts correctly, the system needs to recirculate the buckets at least 7-10 times per hour minimum?
If I set up 50-60 buckets, (20x22 basement room) using the Mag Drive 5000 gph pump, this would recirculate my buckets 16-20 times per hour for healthy growth and keeping my BB in check. Correct?
Do you know anyone who has made a system with 50 or more buckets that had your same success? just wanna make sure the MagDrive 5000 gph would be sufficient for this many buckets
regards
CD~
~We are Morally obligated to ignore bad laws~
Excellent read! I am seriously considering building a 50-60 bucket system. with a 100 gal reservoir.
If I understand your posts correctly, the system needs to recirculate the buckets at least 7-10 times per hour minimum?
If I set up 50-60 buckets, (20x22 basement room) using the Mag Drive 5000 gph pump, this would recirculate my buckets 16-20 times per hour for healthy growth and keeping my BB in check. Correct?
Do you know anyone who has made a system with 50 or more buckets that had your same success? just wanna make sure the MagDrive 5000 gph would be sufficient for this many buckets
regards
CD~
~We are Morally obligated to ignore bad laws~
Mr.GoodStuff
New member
Hope you are still around- don't have the issue anymore though. Thanks again for sharing this system because I'm loving it!!!
Wonderkid420
Member
First post! Yay, I've read this thread and I must say of all the systems I've come across on this site in my some 30 days of lurking, I must say this is by far the most superior, the only thing that imho comes close to this in terms of yields is aeroponics bucket styel, but the maitenance, danger of crop loss is to great, I'm rambling, just wanted to say Big Toke you are the master,
