Ok...I am going to repeat myself here as I may have posted these questions in the Newbie area and didnt get much response. Maybe I was in the wrong place. So, here it goes....

I am interested in attempting a small bubbler setup. I see that they arent too hard to construct yourself. Ive seen a few (hard to understand) threads on how they were built. But I still have many questions. Maybe I should just buy one instead of attempting to build my own....good idea? ( Hi-Tech Garden Supply ) I did have a concern about ordering a hydro setup to my place. Im in a new city and dont have any alternate addresses to have stuff delivered to (which is why I havent ordered any good seeds either).

Also...if I have no cuttings from another plant to start with...will I need to buy another setup to get started ( Greenfields Hydroponics UK - CuttingBoard Propagator )?

I do understand that building your own is alot cheaper...but Im afraid I'll encounter too many issues. And I am a firm beliver in quality in - quality out.

Then again...if some cool person on this site could kinda take me under their wing for a bit and answer some of the basic questions I have...Im sure I'd get the answers I need and may decide to build one after all.

heya.

the first link took me to a page with a GH Waterfarm unit on it. This is a drip system...powered by an air pump. the air pushes a bubble of water up the tube and it explodes and runs down/out the holes in the ring of tubing surrounding the stem of the plant. You can buy the innards to this bucket system and make one yourself from a 5 gallon/3 gallon bucket combo or you can buy a 10" mesh pot that fits into the 5 gallon bucket and use that. The drip column should sell for about $15 at yer local hydro store.

Second pic is a bubbler/clone rooting unit like a GroClone. Prolly uses a submersible pump to stir the water and intro oxygen into the water. you can build one of these too...most of the parts should be at Home De Pot.

You won't need #2 until you have cuts to take. The Waterfarm will grow MASSIVE plants tho...so if you can get something going in one of those you'll have tons of cuts in no time at all.

not sure if that helped...

good luck

bt dt

Everything helps. Appreciate it. Now when you say I can by the innards at home depot...What exactly am I looking to buy? Lets say I have that 5/gal bucket. I need an airpump (assuming Ill get that from a pet shop) hose and what else hardware wise? Do I need a timer?

Oh...and do you suggest I just buy that waterfarm? And can I start with seeds with just a waterfarm? Sorry...I told ya I had questions.

As Im waiting for another reply...here's another question: I know I need to buy nutrients for growing in a hydrogrower...Will I also need PH Meter? Arent they a bit expensive? How do you maintain the right PH level in the water? Are there things out there other than the high cost PH meter?

Alright...I guess I'll just go the soil route...

Cloner/bubbler innards are a small submersible pump with a venturi valve to grab air and inject it into the water. Many times the accessory pack inside the pump box has a venturi adapter in it...just depends on the maker of the pump what ya get.

Waterfarm innards not availble at Home depot. Hydro store or online order...

Soil will be more forgiving..and if you aren't prepared to buy the pen...etc to keep track of ppm/EC/pH you will fight the hydro in a big way and your plants may not be happy.

good luck. Read..it's your friend.

bt dt

bt dt has given you good advice. If you want a smaller bubbler set up...just go get yourself a small rubbermaid tub, one that holds anywhere from 3-8 gallons. Also get a aquarium fish pump with tubing and a 5.5" airstone. 4" net pots with some hydroton and some nutes...i recommend either foxfarm or GH. Thats pretty much the basics of what you need for a DWC setup.

and yes you should buy the pen for ppm/ec/ph its very important to all hydro setups. hope this helped any...