Bubbleponics 800W ICE, NL 1, and Papaya

Hello all you bubbleheads, stoners, tricksters, and mad scientists! Starting a journal. Input is welcome.

My tent is 32x20x62. I will upgrade to a 48x24x62, when flowering starts in a couple of weeks. I will also end up with two 400W HPS air cooled reflectors. I have two SH bubbleponics tubs with 5 ICE, 5 NL #1, and 2 Papaya.

I am using RO water with Advanced nutrients Grow and Bloom. I have Botanicare Cal-Mag, Bio roots, and Bio Buds by General Hydroponics. My pH is 6.5 in both tubs, and my PPM is running at 200.

I am unsure about the CFM's of my exhaust or intake, but the airflow on both fronts is super solid. I will update with later specs for my air.

My goal is to pull under an lb. of dried nuggets. With 800W of HPS lighting, and some 105W fluorescent side lighting, I think that an elbow is possible. Once again, I am open to critics and friendly advice. I will update everyday, or two.

Thanks everyone for comin out and keeping the scene alive!

looks like you have all your ducks in a row. what size tote is that? good luck, i'll be watching

You will get over a pound if you veg long enough
Nice setup goin on, gonna be cool to watch. I'll sub.

No reason to think that you can't throw an elbow with that rig. Might take a run to get dialed in but you should be in the ballpark.

Thank you for your input. Because i work from 8 to 6, so i will be posting in the eve. I will be making an update tonight. Both tubs are running at 325 PPM, between 6.4 and 6.6 pH, and a cool enough 76 degrees F. The temp of my room is 75.6 degrees F and around 40% humidity.

Other than my goal of pulling one elbow, i really want to get the experience from other bubbleponics enthusiasts. Taking a whole lot of pics and sharing this with everyone is my second priority, so please please please chime in with your opinions.

-I have heard of people bringing there pH down to 5.5-5.9. Is that safe?! I am all about the slightly acidic side of the spectrum, but that seems a little much.
-Does anyone have a link for a weekly PPM guide?

looks like you know what your doing, and theres a-lot of cool people on this sight that will help you out.

Yep, I agree with lowering your PH. Was just bout to chime in and say somethin lol.
I would drop it to a 5.5-6.0, I try to keep mine no higher than 6.
Sometimes It will slowly get to 6.5 and I let it because different nutes are easily absorbed
at different PH levels. IDK how well this theory works, but for the least I try to keep it under or at 6.

Dameon said:

Thank you for your input. Because i work from 8 to 6, so i will be posting in the eve. I will be making an update tonight. Both tubs are running at 325 PPM, between 6.4 and 6.6 pH, and a cool enough 76 degrees F. The temp of my room is 75.6 degrees F and around 40% humidity.

Other than my goal of pulling one elbow, i really want to get the experience from other bubbleponics enthusiasts. Taking a whole lot of pics and sharing this with everyone is my second priority, so please please please chime in with your opinions.

-I have heard of people bringing there pH down to 5.5-5.9. Is that safe?! I am all about the slightly acidic side of the spectrum, but that seems a little much.
-Does anyone have a link for a weekly PPM guide?

Click to expand...

Someone above me gave excellent advice about pH. I run DWC, and adjust mine every single day, and twice a day for the first couple days after a res change. You'll find that the pH rises slower later in the week as the solution ages. Aim for as close to 5.5 as you possibly can. Be very patient and mix well. I recommend using an eye dropper, it helps me get very precise results.

As for PPM, your current PPM is great for vegging in week 1. From experience, in a ball park estimate:
Week 1 veg don't exceed 2-300
weeks 2-3 veg, 4-600
weeks 4 and beyond veg, don't exceed 8
Flower weeks I recommend increasing by about 200 each week up until week 5, then week 6 and 7 bringing back by 400 each, then flushing week 8. You could even begin flushing in week 7 if you wanted to, which will give you a very nice clean burning product, but you'll have dial this in yourself. By the end of week 5 (this is stricly hydroponics we're talking here) most of the floral growth will have occured, and the appetite for nutrients will diminish. Week 6 and 7 as you dial back the nutes, the buds will continue to swell, and the rest of the grow is just cleaning the buds out and making them taste like heaven and smell like fresh brewed coffee.

So for example, flower week 1: 800, week 2: 1000, week 3: 1200, week 4:1400, week 5: 1600, week 6: 1200, week 7: 800, week 8: flush.

TAKE NOTICE: This recommendation is based on my experience, and on the old mantra "less is more". It's important to understand that each strain has a different appetite for nutrients at different stages of growth, so as you're dailing it in, it's important to start low and build your way up. If you shoot for the sky and go too high, you'll end up with yellow, sick plants and end up flushing your nutrients down the drain literally in order to start again with a lighter dose. Remember: Too little nutes won't kill your plants, too many nutes absolutely will unless corrected.

I have never grown flowering plants that were hungry enough to maintain full strength until flush, it's just not worth it, and you'll end up taking a hit to taste and cost of nutrients for a possible gain in yield.

At the end of week 8 you'll have yellow fan leaves, and beautiful thick swollen colas ready for harvest. If the trichomes aren't quite ready, continue flushing and use a microscope to keep an eye on them.

Remember, not all of your additives will add to your PPM, as PPM only measures dissolved salts. Your biggest culprits for PPM will be your base nutrients, and any sort of bloom booster (IE, big bud). I would strongly recommend some sort of P+K booster such as big bud for your flowering weeks, but you'll do fine with what you have on hand. Good luck!!

THANKS STILLOCONTROLL! ++rep! THANKS PWIZZLE! I very much appreciate your useful info! ++rep!

I was only hesitant to lower the pH because with soil, i would never go so low on the scale, but i am understanding that is is more that necessary when bubbleponicing. I will follow this ppM guide because it seems legit. You have answered alot of my questions just with that last post. Again if you guys see anything akward in my setup ppM, pH, air control, please chime in. I am very much open to constructive criticism.

Here are some pics from this morning. the ppM for both tubs is at/or around 300. I agree with the o so wise mantra, less is more. The pH was around 6.5 but i will gradually lower it to 5.5 over the day. My temps for my res are at 76 F. My room temp is 75.2 F with 42% humudity. The heat can get out of control because i live in the southern US. I will be purchasing a window unit with about 12,00 BTU's to keep flowering temps in check. Go Grass, go!

Thanks again to users who are helping others live this dream! Keep this shit alive and well! Enjoy.These Pics will get better. Sorry for their uninteresting qualities.

"I have never grown flowering plants that were hungry enough to maintain full strength until flush, it's just not worth it, and you'll end up taking a hit to taste and cost of nutrients for a possible gain in yield." -stillcantroll

Well said, sir!

Great looking setup man Just a heads up: Your res temperatures are bordering on the high side, and it may cause problems for you down the road when your roots hit the tub, and you start pushing the nutes. This is just coming from my DWC experience, and the relationship between water temperature and dissolved oxygen. Your bubbles look great, but you may find with those temperatures they *may* not be enough to fight off pythium (root rot), in which case you'll have to either: Invest in a better pump / more stones, invest in a water chiller (or crank up your AC to bring the water down to the early 70s or late 60s ideally), or start using hydrogen peroxide or something like dutch master zone on a weekly basis.

Again, theres a good chance you might not have to worry about anything, but I had the exact same res temperature as you when I got my first taste of root rot, and had to end up doubling the bubbles.

On another note, I would maintain that 200 or so PPM for at least 2 weeks. Seedlings at that stage need very little nutrients, as they will be focussing right now on developing a strong root system before shooting vertically. Something i'll suggest: If you're looking at shaving some time off your next grow, invest in a seperate small 125w CFL station. You can start your next set of seedlings on week 3 or 4 of flower, and have them ready for transplant into your bubbler right after harvest, letting them develop strong roots and get a bit of height in your CFL station by placing the seedling in 1 inch rockwool and lightly hand watering, then placing in hydroton once roots are bursting out of the bottom... or better yet... GET CLONES!!

Keep up the good work man.

Thank you Stillcantroll! ++rep!



I know. Before i even transplanted the seedlings i was dealing with problems of heat, and considering putting them in dirty slow soil. I continued to read post of Bubbleponic users stating that thier resiviours were at upper 70's and they had no problems. I know form doing my homework that high res temps are DANGEROUS! But like in the world of cultivating, every moment tends to be a gamble, and risks are taken daily. I wanted a change of pace and got it.

I have already made plans for a perpetual crop! Don't worry, there will be CLONES!!! Also, I am going to purchase a 12,00 BTU window unit here VERY soon. I am using the same one from my last grow, and boy does she get things cold in here! Good thing too, because where i live, the heat index outside gets above 110 F! 90% humuidity!

Big thanks to all you bubbleheads keepin the scene alive and well. My plants and i THANK YOU! ++ rep all day! For know, I am off work, so I have work to do in my closet, and Xbox LIVE to play!!

--->

-My ppm's shot up due to Cal-Mag. I used a half dose, of the lowest reccomended dose suggested by the manufacturer. I will change my res sometime today to rid my setup of this mistake.
-How much hydrogen peroxide do i use per gallon?

I use 1-2 ml of 35% hydrogen peroxide per gallon. Let it sit for 30 mins before adding nutes. enjoy.

Good morning all. Nice and crispy over here. ICE/Snowcap hash for breakfast makes for a good day!

Thanks stillcantroll! I awoke today to discover beautiful little white roots! enjoy!


When i have i have some time at lunch i will apply hydrogen peroxide. Thanks again for the tip!

Yesterday i changed the res after 7 days. The temp in my res are at 76.8 F. I will also install some more air pumps and stones later today. That and buying a 12,00 BTU window unit, my res temps will fall. My ppms for each tank are 200-210, with a pH of 5.5. I will put some nutes on em when i get off work so keep those comments coming!

Looking good! Now that you have roots though I suggest you ditch the papers on the rockwool

subscribed, beautiful grow !

Good day to all!

I have some pics for all those who are into vegetative bud porn! I have high hopes for these little ladies! Just a reminder: I have 5 ICE, 5 NL #1 and 2 Papaya, all FEM seeds. This is my journal. Enjoy.

Both tank A and B are running at 250-275 ppm's. My pH is 6.0 now, but i try to keep it below 5.5 or as close as i can get. The temp in my room is 78' F, and 42% humidity. I am having problems with my res temps. Together they average in the upper 70's.

-Does anyone know if aquarium chillers work for hydro reservoirs? ++rep

Thanks everyone for supporting these forums and contributing to your fellow man. Do comment. I hope you all have as much pleasure in viewing this as i am having growing it. Cheers fuckface!

Dameon said:

Good day to all!

I have some pics for all those who are into vegetative bud porn! I have high hopes for these little ladies! Just a reminder: I have 5 ICE, 5 NL #1 and 2 Papaya, all FEM seeds. This is my journal. Enjoy.

Both tank A and B are running at 250-275 ppm's. My pH is 6.0 now, but i try to keep it below 5.5 or as close as i can get. The temp in my room is 78' F, and 42% humidity. I am having problems with my res temps. Together they average in the upper 70's.

-Does anyone know if aquarium chillers work for hydro reservoirs? ++rep

Thanks everyone for supporting these forums and contributing to your fellow man. Do comment. I hope you all have as much pleasure in viewing this as i am having growing it. Cheers fuckface!

View attachment 998575View attachment 998576View attachment 998577View attachment 998578View attachment 998579View attachment 998580

Click to expand...

Aquarium chillers are a colossal investment, and there aren't many that are DWC able for less than 300$. Not only that, but they require their own submersible pumps to pump water through them, which add more heat. Once invested though they work phenominally well.

Some options I'll recommend to you based on my DWC experience:

1. Invest in a chiller as i mentioned above. a 1/15th horsepower unit would do the trick with its own pump.
2. An ice-probe. These are miniature chillers that don't require pumps. Google ice probe and take a look. The people who've used these are few and far between but from what i understand, they will work in a DWC to bring the temp down by 5 degrees or more.
3. Frozen ice jugs. Freeze one or two 2 litre frozen water bottles per bucket, and put them into your res to float at the beginning and middle of the day as needed. This will keep your res temperature low, but it fluctuates and is best served as a temporary solution. (its also a pain in the ass).
4. Increase your air conditioning. Sounds like you already have this one down pretty good but, the lower the room temp, the lower the res temp. Try venting the cold air out into the intake on your grow area if its a tent or enclosure,
5. Increasing the dissolved oxygen in your DWC. This was my solution. There is, as you probably know, a relationship between the amount of oxygen water can hold and the temperature of the water. Higher temperatures hold less oxygen. Oxygen is the key to healthy roots and plants, not the temperature (within reason). So, lowering water temperature is a good idea to increase oxygen levels by making your pumps more efficient, but another option is to simply overdo it with air stones. This is what I did. I doubled my airstones from 4 12 inchers to 8, and my problems went away. My water can climb as high as 78 at the end of my 18 hour veg cycle, and no problem. Bubbles like no tomorrow might save your life. This is also a much cheaper solution than a water chiller.

Hope this helps. Remember, hydrogen peroxide is best served as a band aid. It isn't a solution to a problem, its a temporary fix to an underlying problem. The real solution is reasonable temperatures and ample amounts of oxygen for your roots. Good luck!

Dameon said:

Good day to all!

I have some pics for all those who are into vegetative bud porn! I have high hopes for these little ladies! Just a reminder: I have 5 ICE, 5 NL #1 and 2 Papaya, all FEM seeds. This is my journal. Enjoy.

Both tank A and B are running at 250-275 ppm's. My pH is 6.0 now, but i try to keep it below 5.5 or as close as i can get. The temp in my room is 78' F, and 42% humidity. I am having problems with my res temps. Together they average in the upper 70's.

-Does anyone know if aquarium chillers work for hydro reservoirs? ++rep

Thanks everyone for supporting these forums and contributing to your fellow man. Do comment. I hope you all have as much pleasure in viewing this as i am having growing it. Cheers fuckface!

Click to expand...

It is absolutely uncanny how similar both our grows are. Only difference I see is you have different nutes, and you have the sub pump. Which I did have a sub pump my last grow to do a hybrid top down feed along with the DWC. It helped the little plants get established but once the roots hit the rez they just take off without a need for the top feed. I noticed your sub pump feeds into a hub then, tubing from bottom of net cup. Well done.

Might i suggest removing the plastic off the rockwool, you proabably wont require it anymore and it could possibly be restricting your plants root growth. Other than that you seem to have everything under control. Definatily Subbed. +rep for doing a great job. If you like you can check out my grow, the link is next to my sig down below.

Peace and positive energy to you