cheap and easy DIY cloner and what to do with the results

BUMP for a really great thread.

Ive been working on a similar setup, but I think im gonna switch to this. I have 2 questions for anyone thats built one, both having to do with the air supply..

1. I went around to a couple of pet stores to get a pump. All I found was battery operated pumps. Is that what you guys are using? I dont like changing (and buying lol) batteries every so often. I want a pump that I can plug in.

2. The T fitting.. I cant find one small enough. Lowes and HD carry a 1/4" nylon T, but the 1/4" hose wont fit over it. They dont sell any smaller T's, the 2 pet stores i went to dont either, they reccomended buying another pump for $12 (of course).
Should I just get the hose warm enough to stretch it over the fittings?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 420F4i

BUMP for a really great thread.

Ive been working on a similar setup, but I think im gonna switch to this. I have 2 questions for anyone thats built one, both having to do with the air supply..

1. I went around to a couple of pet stores to get a pump. All I found was battery operated pumps. Is that what you guys are using? I dont like changing (and buying lol) batteries every so often. I want a pump that I can plug in.

2. The T fitting.. I cant find one small enough. Lowes and HD carry a 1/4" nylon T, but the 1/4" hose wont fit over it. They dont sell any smaller T's, the 2 pet stores i went to dont either, they reccomended buying another pump for $12 (of course).
Should I just get the hose warm enough to stretch it over the fittings?

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first i'd like to apologize to all who have posted here in the last month or so.

i've been suffering financial difficulties as well as having to make funeral
arrangements for my last computer, a very sad day and an added burden.


anyway, as to your questions 420F4i, first, no, don't get the battery operated
models, heres a couple of different models that you should be able to find at
stores like PetSmart, PetCo, Kmart, Walmart, etc., etc., etc....

you should be able to find the fittings there as well and this stuff should be
really easy to find locally.

here's a link to bghydro but again, this should be easy to find locally

BetterGrow Hydro Online - EcoPlus Air Pumps


if you're just looking to aerate a cloner a 20 gallon pump will be fine.
it'll probably cost around $15.00, maybe less

i want to thank hudson88 for helping out while the real world was
busy dumping on me.

that's what makes this site so great, that spirit of sharing that
makes someone step in to help the noob's.

Kudos to you my friend and all of your answers were spot on
in my opinion.

I have been using Topfin XP-125 exclusively. I have 4 of them bubbling through all my buckets. they have 2 outlets and are strong enough to do the job well. They are about $20 at petsmart.

For those looking for the ultra cheap...i hate their business model and try to avoid them at all costs...but WalMart has some very nice pumps that they sell for $5 and $10 so i had to get a few back-ups. The $5 is a single outlet only suitable for a single airstone (or a few of the tiny ones) and the $10 model has 2 outlets and can handle 2 5" airstones with no problem.

I don't recall the brand...they are gray and "aqua-something". Oh! the other great thing is they come with free valve checks!!!

You can see 2 of the $5 ones in these photos.
Cannabis.com Forums Message Boards - Medical Marijuana, Cannabis Club, Dispensary, News

thanks
Skeet.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by elskeetro

I have been using Topfin XP-125 exclusively. I have 4 of them bubbling through all my buckets. they have 2 outlets and are strong enough to do the job well. They are about $20 at petsmart.

For those looking for the ultra cheap...i hate their business model and try to avoid them at all costs...but WalMart has some very nice pumps that they sell for $5 and $10 so i had to get a few back-ups. The $5 is a single outlet only suitable for a single airstone (or a few of the tiny ones) and the $10 model has 2 outlets and can handle 2 5" airstones with no problem.

I don't recall the brand...they are gray and "aqua-something". Oh! the other great thing is they come with free valve checks!!!

You can see 2 of the $5 ones in these photos.
Cannabis.com Forums Message Boards - Medical Marijuana, Cannabis Club, Dispensary, News

thanks
Skeet.

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i agree completely that Walmart sucks, they're killing small business'
across the globe.

that being said, i agree also that, if you're broke, that's the place to
find a pump for cheap.

if you can, buy it at a local pet store, support your local
economy rather than some huge, multi-national Mega-Lo-Mart.

i would also suggest to those that are still shopping that more bubbles
is a good thing so leave the $5.00 pumps in the store and buy one that's
bigger than you think you need. oddly enough, you may find a use for the
extra bubbles

Bozo & Skeet have it right don't spend your money at Wal - Mart...I worked in their Distribution Division for a decade :cursing:and know to much about their inner workings, to want to give them my hard earned dollars even with an employee discount...I DO NOT shop there at all...If the American :edit: International consumers would open their eyes and see how much Wal Marts business model has hurt Our countries economy... maybe they would even follow suit and stop contributing to the demise of our countries financial future...IMHO...

So to answer whoever's question get your air pump somewhere other than that smiley faced tyrant, no matter how much you save....You just might help save America as we use to know it...

My name is D4twamp and I approve this message....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by d4twamp

Bozo & Skeet have it right don't spend your money at Wal - Mart...I worked in their Distribution Division for a decade :cursing:and know to much about their inner workings, to want to give them my hard earned dollars even with an employee discount...I DO NOT shop there at all...If the American :edit: International consumers would open their eyes and see how much Wal Marts business model has hurt Our countries economy... maybe they would even follow suit and stop contributing to the demise of our countries financial future...IMHO...

So to answer whoever's question get your air pump somewhere other than that smiley faced tyrant, no matter how much you save....You just might help save America as we use to know it...

My name is D4twamp and I approve this message....

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lol, it's so good to see that we agree on something DB, and lets not forget
how much business they do in China, a country known for it's human rights
abuses

Found a nice T and a plug in pump tonight. They only had 2 sizes of pumps, both with only one port. I bought the bigger one. Time to test it out.



We all hate walmart. I dont go there mainly because its always crowded and I dont have the time (attention span lol) to wait on line for more than a couple minutes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 420F4i

Found a nice T and a plug in pump tonight. They only had 2 sizes of pumps, both with only one port. I bought the bigger one. Time to test it out.



We all hate walmart. I dont go there mainly because its always crowded and I dont have the time (attention span lol) to wait on line for more than a couple minutes.

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actively choose not to shop there out of principle, supporting your local
economy rather than huge business interests located elsewhere.

as to the pump, i'm sure it'll be fine, that will become the dedicated 'cloner
pump'. and you were right to get the bigger one, the more bubbles the better

Quote:

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Originally Posted by justanotherbozo

lol, it's so good to see that we agree on something DB, and lets not forget
how much business they do in China, a country known for it's human rights
abuses

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Lotta business in China, matter of fact Wal Mart is China's biggest export...If Wal Mart was a country it would be number 3 under the U.S. and China financially...and what they've done to the companys/vendors supplying their shelves is horrible...enough with my rambling...They say it's the American way....

Bozo- do you have the air pump in the bubble cloner on a timer or leave it on 24/7...

D:jointsmile:

good stuff bozo! soon as i get my rig up and running proper-like i'll be building one of these puppies.

not only does walmart do business with china but it makes back room deals that are against all sorts of trade agreements! it's hard for people to stand for something when they are constantly being nagged by there wallet.

i definately believe in supporting small/local business!!! but it's 0153 here and everything else is closed....so i guess it's off to walmart! just kidding.

-shake

Quote:

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Originally Posted by headshake

good stuff bozo! soon as i get my rig up and running proper-like i'll be building one of these puppies.

not only does walmart do business with china but it makes back room deals that are against all sorts of trade agreements! it's hard for people to stand for something when they are constantly being nagged by there wallet.

i definately believe in supporting small/local business!!! but it's 0153 here and everything else is closed....so i guess it's off to walmart! just kidding.

-shake

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lol

Bozo here are some pics of my cloner I made based on reading your thread awhile back... built this thing awhile ago and it still hasn't been put into service...

thanx for your contribution to my own knowledge base...:thumbsup:

D:jointsmile:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by d4twamp

Bozo here are some pics of my cloner I made based on reading your thread awhile back... built this thing awhile ago and it still hasn't been put into service...

thanx for your contribution to my own knowledge base...:thumbsup:

D:jointsmile:

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you're very welcome and thank you for your kind words of recognition,
it nice hearing them from someone i respect as much as i do you and
your pal WT.

when you're ready to use that thing it will work like a charm, i can
tell just by looking at the pics!

it's a lot smaller than your cloner but it should do the trick...

How do you run your air pump 24/7 or on a timer...

D:smokebong:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by d4twamp

it's a lot smaller than your cloner but it should do the trick...

How do you run your air pump 24/7 or on a timer...

D:smokebong:

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it actually looks to be close to the same size. mine has a 2 gallon
res and room for 18 cuts so not too much bigger.

and i run the pump 24\7.

btw, the only thing i see that i did different was that i made a hole
for the air line in the side of the bin rather than through the top,
so i could remove the top without having to mess with that air line.

lol, also btw, how are you generating rooted cuts for yourself now?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by justanotherbozo

it actually looks to be close to the same size. mine has a 2 gallon
res and room for 18 cuts so not too much bigger.

and i run the pump 24\7.

btw, the only thing i see that i did different was that i made a hole
for the air line in the side of the bin rather than through the top,
so i could remove the top without having to mess with that air line.

lol, also btw, how are you generating rooted cuts for yourself now?

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Bozo,
Good thinking on the air line placement...To answer your other question I'm not generating any cuts as of now, I've closed up shop until I can make some mods to the space, until the $ is better it looks like I'll be here on the side lines watching...In the past I've rooted the regular way in propagation trays & plugs... Used RW at first then switched to the Oasis cubes and I like the Oasis alot better...

I actually tried cloning some roses for my wife in the cloner but they didn't root, they either slumped over and died or just dried out...lol...probably different requirements for rooting roses then cannabis...

D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by d4twamp

Bozo,
Good thinking on the air line placement...To answer your other question I'm not generating any cuts as of now, I've closed up shop until I can make some mods to the space, until the $ is better it looks like I'll be here on the side lines watching...In the past I've rooted the regular way in propagation trays & plugs... Used RW at first then switched to the Oasis cubes and I like the Oasis alot better...

I actually tried cloning some roses for my wife in the cloner but they didn't root, they either slumped over and died or just dried out...lol...probably different requirements for rooting roses then cannabis...

D

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yeah, i think rooting any flower would be difficult, try a pothos
for a trial run ,they root really easy

Great thread Bozo...

Do you use an anti-wilting spray of any sort, or a dome?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pinkfloydfan1973

Great thread Bozo...

Do you use an anti-wilting spray of any sort, or a dome?

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nah, no need

Bozo your back what happened... I thought we lost ya

Quote:

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Originally Posted by d4twamp

Bozo your back what happened... I thought we lost ya

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lol, almost i think.

lol, i seem to have a knack for pissin' people off.

lol, i think i need to avoid some subjects, just stay in my little office.

glad you're back bozo! i've done some serious revamping. check out the log. lord knows i need the advice.

-shake

how do you get the cords in their? drill a hole and then caulk around the cord?

don't use cocking!!! use aquarium silicone .i haven't had a chance to use mine yet ,but i got bored one day and decided to do it.took about 10 min and i had a good time. this idea was really cool and i think its going to help out a lot. thanks man for making this thread:thumbsup:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by disrupt86

don't use cocking!!! use aquarium silicone .i haven't had a chance to use mine yet ,but i got bored one day and decided to do it.took about 10 min and i had a good time. this idea was really cool and i think its going to help out a lot. thanks man for making this thread:thumbsup:

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you're welcome man, i'm just passin' on what i learned here.

lol, just tryin' to spread the love!

The home made bubble cloner is a little box of magic.
Tried peat pellets and rockwool with no sucess.
Built it in a couple of hours.
Decided to test it out with something else before hacking away at my would be mother plants.
Since i live in an apartment, i went for a stroll and ripped off a few random branches from someones tomato and an unknown shrub, thinking if these root then its a sure thing. They were stuffed in my pockets for a good ten minutes before i sliced them and put them in.
Wouldn't you believe it but 6 days later the roots are a couple of mm long.
The hardest part was cutting the holes in the plastic lid without taking a finger off.
Once its set up you dont need to touch it.
Used a couple of drops of a Japanese product called mendael in the water (like superthrive)
Clean, convienient, awesome.
Thanks Bozo.
Will be taking the real cuttings tomorrow, can't wait.:thumbsup:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by surfmania28

The home made bubble cloner is a little box of magic.
Tried peat pellets and rockwool with no sucess.
Built it in a couple of hours.
Decided to test it out with something else before hacking away at my would be mother plants.
Since i live in an apartment, i went for a stroll and ripped off a few random branches from someones tomato and an unknown shrub, thinking if these root then its a sure thing. They were stuffed in my pockets for a good ten minutes before i sliced them and put them in.
Wouldn't you believe it but 6 days later the roots are a couple of mm long.
The hardest part was cutting the holes in the plastic lid without taking a finger off.
Once its set up you dont need to touch it.
Used a couple of drops of a Japanese product called mendael in the water (like superthrive)
Clean, convienient, awesome.
Thanks Bozo.
Will be taking the real cuttings tomorrow, can't wait.:thumbsup:

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you're welcome man, i'm glad it's working as well for you as it does for me.
lol, it's like having a $400.00 dollar EZ-cloner for a paltry $20.00 - $25.00.

I 2nd that...

I've been reading your posts, and I'd like to say thank you so much, you've helped me immensely. The only other question I have: you keep your cloning pump on 24/7. What are the hours on your hydro system pump?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jkalb42

I've been reading your posts, and I'd like to say thank you so much, you've helped me immensely. The only other question I have: you keep your cloning pump on 24/7. What are the hours on your hydro system pump?

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hello and you're welcome, i'm glad my efforts have helped you as i'm sure
your efforts will help others. as to your question, i run those pumps 24\7
as well to deliver a constant supply of oxygen to the roots, this is very
important to your plants.

high guy's and gal's, just wanted to say that i'm experiencing financial
difficulties again in the real world which have temporarily cost me my
connection. which means i'll only be around sporadically until i can work
something out. shit almost makes me want to start a commercial op, lol.

anyway, on the plus side, i've been in negotiations with the boutique
regarding a lost shipment and, while he isn't willing to resend, he is
willing to send me a couple of freebie packs
plus, i got the confirmation e-mail today regarding my second attempt
to get beans and they say they have shipped my order of regular
AK-47, White Rhino and Pure Power Plant plus the freebie which is
supposed to be a Mazar Afghan cross.

WOOT WOOT woot? (damn, i hope they come, lol)

God willin' n' da creek don't rise, i'll be startin a new, multi-strain thread
real soon. wish me luck!

hope the beans come through bozo. and i'm sorry to hear about your finacial difficulties.
i can't wait to check out the grow if/when the beans get there. i think me and my brother are about to put together a couple of strain hydro grow too.

anyhow lookin forward to the log.

-shake

Thanks for the awsome write up.

I have one quick question.....

When you are transfering the new babies to the Hygromite the roots are not out of the basket yet so how do you ensure they are getting watered once in the new veg bubbler (since roots are not in the res water yet)? Will the bubbles take care of that?

Thanks!!!:thumbsup:

Question:

What has everyone found to be the best support for the clones in the system? Are those just strips of foam that you use in yours bozo?

Also about how big of a container and how many clones would fit with an airpump that is rated for a 60 gallon aquarium?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by yourbuddies

Thanks for the awsome write up.

I have one quick question.....

When you are transfering the new babies to the Hygromite the roots are not out of the basket yet so how do you ensure they are getting watered once in the new veg bubbler (since roots are not in the res water yet)? Will the bubbles take care of that?

Thanks!!!:thumbsup:

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your buddies, bozo said he won't be here often for a while so let me try to answer your question for you. you can either hand water until the roots hit the nutes or you can set up a drip system to do it for you until the roots hit the nutes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by purplehaze11

What has everyone found to be the best support for the clones in the system? Are those just strips of foam that you use in yours bozo?

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he just uses foam insulation for pipes (i think) and cuts it lengthwise so it's open and easier to get the plants out when time. and he obviously cuts them into little pucks. he uses them so the clones don't fall in the res.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by purplehaze11

Also about how big of a container and how many clones would fit with an airpump that is rated for a 60 gallon aquarium?

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you are more limited by the size of container that you use. you can't really have too much air. just put them evenly spaced across the top of your box. he gets like 20 or so i believe. (i'm too lazy to go back and read.)

hope this helps.

bozo, didn't mean to step on your toes, just trying to help out while you are away....so get your a$$ back!

-shake

sorry to back-track, but in one of your early posts, you mentioned the 'Hygromite' ... is it as good as their website's pics demonstrate ? ... I haven't found anybody that uses it, to question, yet ... none of the local hydro stores stock it, and the freight charges kept me from ordering it, until I know more ... thx :smokin:

Just wanted to say I made this exact bubble cloner, and it works amazingly well. So far i've rooted 6 out of 8 clones and the other 2 are starting to show signs of roots. IT WORKS! I ended up putting the stems in the water, thinking it wasn't working but who knows, it seems to work both ways. pics are in my grow log! bubble gum getting hairy!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by the image reaper

sorry to back-track, but in one of your early posts, you mentioned the 'Hygromite' ... is it as good as their website's pics demonstrate ? ... I haven't found anybody that uses it, to question, yet ... none of the local hydro stores stock it, and the freight charges kept me from ordering it, until I know more ... thx :smokin:

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TIR, talk to WH she uses higromite and she loves it, if my memory serves me right... She'll be able to answer some of those ?'s....I know she does, prefer it over hydroton...

And Purplehaze I went to the hydro store and got some EZ cloner neoprene collars less than 50 cents a piece, and they work great...or the insulation works too...

high everybody, just wanted to let you know i'm back, lol, until my
next crisis.

and -shake, thanks for steppin' in and takin' up the slack while i was
'away', it's nice to see that there's someone still answering the noob's
questions.

as to the collars i use to hold my cuts. what i did was get a length of
pipe-wrap insulation, the kind that comes in 5 foot lengths with a split
down the middle so you can wrap it around a hot water pipe. (they cost
about $1.00 - $2.00 per 5 foot length and they come in different diameters,
get the small ones)
then, i just cut that into 1 inch pieces and i wrap those pieces around
each of my cuts and stick them into the 1 inch holes i drilled into the
top of my cloner, easy as pie and cheap as hell.

and reaper, good to see ya. anyway, i think doughboy's right, i'm pretty
sure it's weedhound that is actually using hygromite. (i'm back playing in
the dirt again right now). i'm pretty sure Stinky is familiar with it too.

if i remember correctly, i liked the hygromite because it's ph neutral right
out of the bag, plus, i believe it also leachs (not the right word i'm sure)
minute amounts of silica to help promote cell wall strength.

i also wanted to say that my beans arrived so look for a new bozo thread
coming soon to a forum near you! (i've got 5 PPP's and 5 White Rhino's
germinating as we speak)