Suckit Bucket DIY

[AquaponicHerb]

This is a DIY for those interested in experimenting with new grow methods. I will explain as best I can, but ultimately I will need questions and prompts, as these concepts can be unorthodox.

I don't claim that this system is better than any other, however it does use concepts that are not new but have not been combined so far as I can see.

I have documented the growth, and you can judge for yourself whether this is worth it or not to build. There are lots of systems for different applications. You will notice in some of the pictures, I have a special way of building my units. and may have inexpensive parts, clear water lines (for observing water flow), but make no mistake this is a very complete hydro setup.

If you complete this Bucket system, you will acquire specific knowledge in Advanced Hydroponics and Aquaponics; Venturi, Bell-Siphon, Romaurie, Surge, and now Suckit.

Good luck...


:thumbsup:








***START***

heres first steps, i layed it out
the venturi is very complex, we can get into that later

its basically a waterline that has a shaped interior designed to draw in air. The air bubbles are mixed with the solutions and the bubbles form an almost aerosol like quality if done correctly; the water gets so oxygenated that it literally oxidizes on contact. Once u get to a certain level of oxygen, the water starts to foam which can trap nutrients as it is skimming off . I'm still checking out these thresholds, but you do not want to cross to far into them.

Anyway here goes the first few steps. Just know bell siphons are a bitch and dont blame me if it floods your place. This is a strong suction, 40 pounds based on 5 gallons of water.

1. drill hole in center of bottom of bucket with drillsaw this is a 1" size

2. install these fittins. hell i dont even know what they are i found them at home depot. they are just basically 1" screw in male on 1 side with 1" female hole on other. then its got this metal screw thing and a rubber seal. i found this is the most economical and reliable fitting, working with 1" a standard size.

3. this is what will later be the siphon. a 3" pvc pipe with an end cap. I use a metal file and grind little v shaped teeth. you can make as many teeth as you want. these teeth allow water to pass through and ensure when the bucket drains its drained from the lowest point ensuring a full drain. dont cut the pipe until you know the exact distance it needs to support the pot. the bell siphon acts as a pillar to hold some of the weight of the pot, lavarock, and a massive would-be tree...

4. this is a pot, it fits perfectly in the 5 gallon bucket, its very generic i got it at home depot. it fits perfectly into the 5 gallon bucket. I guess any one would do but it must be sturdy, and be a snug fit. let me know if this is an issue i might be able to find out the brand pot

5. then i wrap it with electric tape. this thing has to be sealed airtight or it wont work right. these are the first steps, stay posted.

note:
bell siphons can make you a hydroponic wizard. you could flood a 300 gallon bed in 30 seconds or drain it just as fast, this has so many applications and the efficiency is off the charts as it is a mechanical action and requires no timers.

[AquaponicHerb]

I dont use seals anymore. I was using aquarium seal for a long time, and still do in certain situations. A natural seal is always the way to go in my estimation.

I use tubes inside of other tubes to seal up holes. Notice I have a garden hose here. Inside it I have a 1/2" 1/2", and a 1/2" 5/8" interior/exterior diameter hoses. These form a seal when pulled through that locks it into place at bottom of bucket. This way of sealing fittings is important for many reasons, namely the weight of water we are talking about and having the bucket non-static(moveable). An unnatural seal such as glue or silicon can break if you disturb it, ultimately setting you back.

Pictures-

1. Cleaning the seals is important for tight fights. We will use garden hose in this DIY for cost and versatility. You can use different types of fittings and I will explain these later.
2. I like using clear flexible and black stiff tubing. Here you can see the 1/2 1/2 black inside the 1/2 5/8 clear. You force this into any garden hose and it will be such a tight seal, that you will get a workout trying to get it in or out, but you will know its safe. You have to insert the black inside the clear, then then clear end into the garden hose, then pull clear through other end of hose till black reaches the garden hose, forming a seal, then you pull it through- this requires physical strength.

3. Once youve pulled it through, thats how it should look from the inside. Black opaque hose 1/2 1/2 in center, clear 1/2 5/8 around it, garden hose (standard type) outside of that. The hose has been pulled through with the black 1/2 1/2 forming the lock in the 1" hole. The garden hoses with the mat finish, rather than a glossy-slippery finish, work better because they don't slip around as much.

4. Here is another example of that self-sealing fitting that I used in another type of bucket- this is an unrelated design so do not let it confuse you. This picture illustrates how this connection has been a very easy, inexpensive, and versatile way for me to connect units within a system.

5. pulling the hose through the hole to form a seal

[AquaponicHerb]

picture

1. another picture of that improvised fitting using layered tubing

[AquaponicHerb]

waiting for a moderator to take it down, i screwed up. ill repost