The 5-gallon hydroponic bucket — also known as a bubble bucket — is probably the simplest hydroponic system you can build. It’s easy to maintain, inexpensive, and surprisingly powerful when it comes to growing big, water-loving plants.
I like to use hydroponic buckets for heavy feeders like tomatoes, cucumbers, pumpkins, and even watermelons. These plants grow huge, and bubble buckets give them the deep roots and oxygen they need to thrive.
Let’s walk through exactly what you’ll need to build one — and how to put it together.
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What Is a Bubble Bucket?
A bubble bucket is a type of deep water culture (DWC) system. The plant’s roots are suspended in a nutrient-rich water solution, with constant oxygen delivered via an air pump and air stone.
If you have an aquarium, chances are you already own half of what you need to build one.
Supplies Needed To Make A 5-Gallon Hydroponic Bucket |
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| 5-gallon bucket -Use a dark-colored bucket (like black) to block light and prevent algae growth. |  |
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| Net Pot Bucket Lid– These lids provide a wide, sturdy base compared to using a small net pot alone. |  |
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| Grow Medium – I use hydroton clay pebbles — great drainage, reusable, and reliable. |  |
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| Aquarium Pump– Go for a strong pump — your root zone will need serious oxygen. |  |
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| Air Hose – Comes in clear (rigid, great for outdoor) and cloudy (flexible, better indoors). |  |
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| Check Valve – Prevents water from flowing back into your air pump when it’s off. |  |
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| Air Stone – Skip the tiny ones. I recommend 6–10 inch air stones that reach more of the root zone. |  |
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🌱 TIP: You can also install a reservoir drain to make nutrient changes easier. |
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How to Build a 5-Gallon Hydroponic Bucket (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Assemble the Air System
- Cut a short piece of air hose (about 2–3 inches)
- Connect it to your air pump
- Attach the check valve to the other end
Make sure it’s facing the right direction (look for an arrow on the valve).
Step 2: Connect to the Bucket
- Cut a longer piece of hose to run from the check valve into the bucket
- Keep this as short as possible — long hoses reduce pump efficiency
I usually keep mine around 5 feet.
Step 3: Prep the Lid + Air Stone
- Connect the hose to your air stone
- You’ve got two options for managing the hose:
- Drill a small hole in the bucket lid to pass the hose through
- Cut a small notch at the rim of the bucket so the lid can sit flat
This prevents the lid or plant from pinching the hose over time.
Step 4: Add Grow Medium and Plant
- Fill the net pot with hydroton (or your chosen medium)
- If you already have a plant started, place it in the medium
- Add water to the bucket and mix your hydroponic nutrients
🌱 TIP: Make sure the water level just touches the bottom of the net pot — roots will grow down into the oxygenated solution from there.
Final Thoughts
The DIY 5-gallon hydroponic bucket is one of the easiest ways to start growing hydroponically. It’s budget-friendly, compact, and powerful — perfect for big, thirsty plants.
Just make sure to:
- Provide plant support (they get heavy!)
- Prune and manage growth as needed
- And keep your air pump running 24/7 for strong root health
August 24, 2019 at 9:21 am
Thank you for this article
I am searching for a way to use less nutrient solution in my recirculating DWC system.
Each bucket needs around 3.5 gallon before the solution reach the basket.
Multiplied by 6 buckets, that’s making a lot of water and in case of a spill or a leak, a lot of problems !
Any idea about what could be used in the bottom of each bucket to use less water ?
Plants would only need 1.5-2 gallons per bucket to be happy and grow slowly in vegetative state.
August 26, 2019 at 12:14 pm
Have you tried to use smaller buckets? I’m guessing your using 5 gallon buckets, what about using a 2 or 3.5 gallon bucket?
April 5, 2020 at 8:16 pm
I saw one person who put a layer of gravel in the bottom. Fish tank gravel would be a good, if somewhat pricey option.
August 8, 2020 at 10:13 am
When setting up your 5 gallon bucket system outside, how to you keep the pump set up safe from rain? And do you keep the pump on at all times?
August 10, 2020 at 7:31 pm
Yes, I keep the pump on at all times. As far as keeping the pump safe from rain, I placed the pump and outlet in a 5 gallon bucket and cut some holes to run the hose and wires.
September 6, 2020 at 9:58 pm
I am just wondering since I’ve read the instructions well, what is that dark hose sticking out of the bottom of the bucket?
September 6, 2020 at 10:01 pm
Hey Fred!
On that hydroponic bucket I’ve also added a reservoir drain.
September 30, 2020 at 2:59 pm
Do you need a filter for this setup or change the water out?
October 15, 2020 at 7:10 pm
Hey Brett, with this system there is no filter needed.
December 24, 2020 at 8:35 am
When do you put callimagic in the solution for the tomato plants to grow better? Do you put in at time of putting them in the 5 gallon bucket or after a number of weeks?
December 26, 2020 at 9:45 pm
Some people add Calimagic before transitioning to flowering but personally, I start adding 5ml per gallon when shortly after plants start flowering.
December 30, 2020 at 1:38 pm
Thank you for the note, but the lower leaves were starting to show yellow on the tips. So I added the calimagic of 1 teaspoon per gallon per instructions. You had mentioned to 5ml per gallon. Why the difference?
December 30, 2020 at 6:16 pm
I go off the feed charts. The general hydroponics feed chart recommends between 2.5ml-5ml depending on phase of growth.
January 14, 2021 at 10:55 am
Do you add the liquid bloom 3-12-6 before my tomato plant flowers or after I see the first flowers? I am in the fifth week.
January 16, 2021 at 10:41 pm
When you start to see buds and you’re ready for flowers to form you switch over to bloom.
July 15, 2023 at 3:29 pm
Thank for such great information. I’m from Imdia have two small question. After how many days we should change the water?
What is reservoir drain? Please explain.
October 11, 2023 at 12:27 pm
I would recommend changing the water weekly or bi weekly depending on how much your plant is taking in. A reservoir drain is just a way of easily draining the reservoir so you dont’ have to pick up the heavy bucket or totes to empty it.