Building My First Bubble Bucket! - Page 2

Rumpleforeskin · 09-17-2009, 01:53 AM

The O-ring seal will not work with sealant. They tend to flex when the valve is used, causing the sealant to crack and lift the O-ring. I have used this type of seal for a long time and have tried all sorts of methods to strengthen the seal. No sealant is your best bet for leak free reliable use.

I found if the hole is too tight, it won't seal 100%. I now open the hole slightly oversized to allow a smooth fit.

Do not over tighten on the o-ring. Tightern snug but make sure the ring has not popped out. Some of that teflon tape on the threads will allow you to keep the adjustment perfect and tight without poppig out your o-ring.

Fill your bucket with water and work the valve. Be a little rough on it, to make sure it wont fail when in real use. Leave it over night and look for any signs of leaking. Any leak no matter how small is un-acceptable.

**Them** · 09-17-2009, 03:50 AM

Hey RF, What size hole do you use with your 1/2" grommet, and what keeps it from leaking?

When I did my first water test, the O rings did not leak at the drain but I was thinking I would put a small amount of the sealant on the point of penetration before I put the O rings on, just for a little more protection.

the only leak I had was at the bottom hole for the water level indicator, and it was very slight.

Question: Do you think the sealant will hold at that location since the indicator will not be touched for the most part?

Thanks for your input!

Rumpleforeskin · 09-17-2009, 11:22 AM

I think I used a 3/4" drill. The grommets work well but are hard to locate at local stores. If the grommet is leaking, sand the inside of the hole, outside of the bucket, and inside of the bucket. Re-install and it should be dry. If you are hell bent on using sealer, that would be the place to use it. I think it can be done with none.

hydrolized · 09-17-2009, 11:46 AM

Remember if the cost of making your fittings exceed $5, just go with a bulkhead fitting. for 3/4" size they are $3.95, and made for what your trying to do

.

Painting black is a good way to save $....Another really good way is buying a roll of reflectix. it's $15 for 25 feet, you need 3 feet per bucket..so its about $2 per bucket, and its absolutly light proof, no drying time, no scratching off, and and it insulates as well. Something I was thinking about is if your painting, why black? Black absorbs the light which is good, but that in turn heats up your bucket..why not paint white? it reflects the light instead of absorbing it.

Good job so far on your bucket!

Incogneato · 09-17-2009, 12:47 PM

Hey Them

What kind of paint did you use? There is a spray paint designed for plastics... patio chairs and such. But even this stuff is pretty much junk. There is a rubberized spray paint... for stairs and such, that may work better, but you are going to have problem with adhesion no matter what paint you use. The only way to get paint to stick to a 5gal would be to scuff the surface with a scotch pad, use a plastic "etching" primer and top coat with a plastic paint... preferably and auto grade spray paint.

If you don't want to go the tape route, what about landscape plastic? This is what I used to cover my cloner (a clear tub).

I was wondering about the water level gauge... does this not give algae a place to get some light and flourish? Is it really that bad to get 2mins worth of light on the roots? I am using a bucket setup now... I bought 3.5gal black buckets, and a net top for under $10. I fed the airlines though the net pot and I access the res by lifting the top. The setup is new enough that I haven't had to drain it yet, but when I do, I plan to just set the net pot on an empty 5gal I have and carry the 3.5 to a drain. Granted this would be a pain in a** if I had ten plants, but are all the extra holes really worth the time and effort (and added chance for leaks) for a micro grower like me?

donedolla · 09-17-2009, 02:18 PM

hey i use marine sealant and gone through 4 grows already and no signs or wear or leaks.

slowthestone · 09-17-2009, 02:21 PM

A roll of $3 black duct tape will block light as good as anything...and not release stinky ass fumes in the process.

**Them** · 09-17-2009, 02:29 PM

Hey Incogneato, good questions.

Yeah I am using the cheapest paint I could find. It is adhering to the bucket pretty well so far. I like the black plastic idea. I have some black plastic garbage bags I could use. I think that is what I will do if the paint fails. At the same time, I am always on the lookout for black buckets.

I got the idea and design for the water gauge from Rumpleforeskin. I thought it was a good idea to keep a watch on the water level. This question about algae was raised in another thread, his response was, it hasn't been a problem. I too have wondered why algae did not grow, I guess I'm running on faith.

As far as leaks...I think leaks will always be one of the major considerations as long as we are dealing with water. That is if the system is at all sophisticated.

After you drain your bucket...how are you going to refill it? I don't see you removing the lid later in the grow when the plants are maturing.

Thanks for your input, your concerns are duly noted and will be given careful consideration.

**Them** · 09-17-2009, 02:39 PM

How cool is this.....donedolla posted his comment at 3:18
slowthestone posted his comment at 3:21.
Both while I was typing my last post.

Welcome guys and/or gals! The more comments I get, only leads to more and better ideas on this subject!

I like the black tape idea. That might work really well, thanks!

**Them** · 09-17-2009, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hydrolized

Remember if the cost of making your fittings exceed $5, just go with a bulkhead fitting. for 3/4" size they are $3.95, and made for what your trying to do

.

Painting black is a good way to save $....Another really good way is buying a roll of reflectix. it's $15 for 25 feet, you need 3 feet per bucket..so its about $2 per bucket, and its absolutly light proof, no drying time, no scratching off, and and it insulates as well. Something I was thinking about is if your painting, why black? Black absorbs the light which is good, but that in turn heats up your bucket..why not paint white? it reflects the light instead of absorbing it.

Good job so far on your bucket!

Hey hydrolized, I did not see you lurking in the shadows. You must have sneaked in the back door. Which is strange since my grow room has no back door! That means you have to load the pipe! OR better yet, check with scrub and see if he brought his vaporizer!

After doing some basic research...I think what I have is kinda like a home made bulkhead. I have a threaded insert with an O ring on each side and a back up which screws onto the threaded insert.

Before installing the O rings I applied the marine grade sealant around the perimeter of the hole. This way when the O ring is tightened up it forms a seal between the O ring and the bucket.

At the present time I have installed all fittings and I am waiting for the sealant to dry, then I will do a 24 hr water test to check for leaks.

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