How To: DIY DWC cloner!!

ADK.

New Member
Hey guys, Looking for a cheap and reliable way to make clones? I was too, so i built this cloning machine and decided to share how easy it is to make.

Now i am new to this site, and there could be better ways to do this, but this is the way i did it with little effort and on a budget.

For supplies, I used:

A ten gallon, Rubbermaid roughneck storage container
Hydrofarm air pump with 2 outlets
2 inch neoprene collars/circles
2 air stones 12"
Air tubing

For tools, I used:
A drill
A drill bit slightly bigger than the air tubing
A 2 1/8" circle bit
superglue

All of these supplies cost me less than 50$, and are reasonably easy to obtain. I got the pump, net cups and collars from amazon, the container from home depot and the air stones from a pet store. You can order all of these online and never have to leave your home.

I had the tools at my disposal already, and did not have to buy them. If you can, borrow a drill from someone you know as it is pretty essential to making perfect sized holes.

THE BUILD:

First take the lid and measure out how many sites you want for your machine. I chose 15, as a 3x5 rectangle fits this container well. Take your net cups and draw an outline for each hole with a sharpie, white crayon, etc.

Now fit your drill with the circle cutter, I found that the 2 1/8" fit the cup better than the 2" cutter. Check the sizes to be sure before you drill, its easier to check than it is to un-drill the lid.

Drill out the outlines, and then use your drill bit to make holes for your air tubing. I used a 2 outlet pump, and 2 airstones, hence i drilled two holes for the tubing.

Now place your air stones in the container and thread your tubing through the holes you just drilled. Connect the tubes to the air stone, and the other end to the pump.

To prevent the airstones from moving around, super glue the airstones to the bottom of the container. I also used PVC piping i had lying aroung to make sure they were about 4" apart. The PVC pipe is not neccessary, just place the airstones evenly apart to make sure bubbles will be under the net cups.

Cut the bottom of the net cups off, as they block water from reaching the stem of the plant. see pictures for details.

Fill your tub up with pH water ( I keep mine around 6.0 ) leave a couple inches between the water's surface and the bottom of the net cup. the measurements do not have to be exact, just be sure water is reaching the cups when it splashes. (check for droplets once completed)

Take your cutting and slip it into the neoprene collar. Fresh growth makes the best cutting, make sure to leave about 3 or so inches to fit into the collar and below.

and youre set. There's really not much to it, this took only a couple hours to complete and the results speak for themselves.

*Check the water level after a couple days for evaporation. You shouldnt see drastic changes, just keep an eye on it and add some more from time to time.
* I took the circles left over from drilling the lid to place on the sites i wasnt using to reduce water lost from evaporation, just as a suggestion :mrgreen:

If you like you can use a different container, air pump, air stone, etc, this is all versatile. The concept is basically the same, The cutting is suspended over the water's surface while a small amount of water splashes the the plant. After about a week the plant should begin to react and form small knobs at the base. within the next couple days roots should form, and your clone has been made.

Tell me what you guys think, constructive criticism always welcome!

Thanks for looking guys, Happy Growing! :peace:

-ADK
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vostok

Well-Known Member
After recommending to several members in the last month or so, that they build their own bubble cloner, I am pleased that you have gone ahead, and paved the way, my first cloner was built after the great Rumpleforskin(gc) (google) and after several fucking abouts got her to run smooth as!
my own observations are
1: I don't use any hormone or clonex shit
2: I change the water(RO) every 5 days
3: I use a smaller fish tank heater to maintain and hold the temp at 70f/25c
4: although I only require 5-12 clones at a time I now use a 4 pint cloner,tiny easier to work with
5: getting the clone to the cloner is only half the act ...lol
 

Nutes and Nugs

Well-Known Member
I built a little bubbler a few grows ago and it works great.
One thing I have noticed is some of the more established clones are lacking in nutes and turning yellow.
I don't have the room to put them in soil as they sprout roots.
They all have to be transplanted together.

Wondering what you guys are using for a mild nute solution?
 

tip top toker

Well-Known Member
why didn't you drill the holes for the airlines in the top of the actual tub, not the lid. That way you can easily remove the lid or lift it up to check roots without having to worry about dislodging airstones etc.
 

Nutes and Nugs

Well-Known Member
A pix of my unit.
Spent about $20. to build it.
Burned a hole in the side for the airline and the lid snaps tight. (though I don't think youre talking to me)

Aero 2.JPG

I'd really like to know if something like KLN would help my fresh cut clones
AFTER they develop roots.
Or, just a sprinkle of grow or flowering nutes?

Please read my post 5 again.
Getting desperate and need to fire up the cloner in the next 5 days.

THanks!
 

ADK.

New Member
Love the feedback guys, sorry ive been inactive for a while due to work, life stuff, etc. Good points Vostok, all are important to a successful cloning. I didnt have any issues with temperature, but i am in a semi-desert state :)

@Nutes and Nugs, I had a few clones i had to keep in the cloner for longer than i anticipated, i added a little general hydroponics FloraGrow and they took quite nicely. just a little boost to keep them going a little while longer. Be sure to pH the water every time you change it, over half the time i have a problems with my plants, its easily corrected with a pH balance.

@tip top toker, good point but as far as checking the roots, each net cup lifts on its own. It would make sense when you take the lid off, but this is the way i did it and it works for me. Maybe if i were to build another i would try it.
 
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