Best way to handle runoff?

One drop · Jul 11, 2020

You in Hobart mate ?

Madmax · Jul 11, 2020

Im not far away bro small world lol..

mikeross · Aug 7, 2020

Why do you think you need runoff? Place saucers under your pots... setup a drip system... feed multiple small feeds daily to keep the coco moist... find that moisture sweet spot your plants love... no need for runoff as you won't have any salt buildup IMO. No need to go hard on the EC either if your doing multi-feeds daily.

KrustyGrow · Aug 8, 2020

I have my plants in a flood tray with a drain hole/line that feeds to a ten gal underneath the tray. That has an automatic pump with a float switch that causes the pump to kick on when there's about ~1" of water. That pumps to a 50gal tub outside of the tent that I empty out a couple times a week.

illmatik · Aug 11, 2020

I've got a setup similar to Enforcer, individual trays for each plant which gravity drain into a bucket which is sump pumped out of the tent.

I would be happier with a tray which covers the entire floor of the tent though. I'm thinking about getting a 4x4 tray for my 4x4 tent, and two 4x4s for my 4x8. The current setup restricts mobility of the plants and overall freedom. They're also prone to leaking with my stoner engineering.

It would be nice to be able to throw any plant in my veg tent, connect it to one the drip lines and call it a day.

illmatik · Aug 11, 2020

mikeross said:
Why do you think you need runoff? Place saucers under your pots... setup a drip system... feed multiple small feeds daily to keep the coco moist... find that moisture sweet spot your plants love... no need for runoff as you won't have any salt buildup IMO. No need to go hard on the EC either if your doing multi-feeds daily.

These are facts. My first few cycles I was under the impression that lots of run off is good.

I've since done more reading and have learned that the way to do it is constant feedings, multiple times per day. If the coco never gets dry, it will never accumulate salt, and runoff is not necessary.

That being said, when you have an automated drip system, it's a good idea to have an automated drain system. Peace of mind is priceless.

Pondracer · Aug 12, 2020

I am not liking my setup, too much residual runoff and I want to automate it. I like the commercial systems but they are pricey.

Kampbe1l · Aug 12, 2020

AngmohGrowz said:
I see many growers with their pots placed directly on the bottom of their tents - sometimes on a tray. Either way, it seems to me that 10% to 20% runoff in coco daily would make a huge mess and be very hard to collect.

My first grow I had them elevated on a metal platform and i pushed plastic basins underneath to catch the runoff and discard it. Those trays are putting my plants a good 1 foot off the bottom, and I'd like to get them a little lower.

So when you guys place them directly on a tray or bottom of the tent, how do you collect the runoff? If I have a normal plant saucer, I will have to lift the plant off the saucer every time I want to discard of the runoff.

and so, out of interest, i read these posts.

my idea was, instead of elevating the pot to place some drainage system (and even the run-off/waste reservoir placed on the floor, which raises the plants, which lowers the height), to elevate the tent itself to create space underneath to drain the run-off waste to. a small coffee table would raise my small tent, and allow space underneath the coffee table for a reservoir to collect. i haven't tested this idea out, yet.

after trying a few things, i reverted back to saucers underneath pots.

sambapati · Aug 12, 2020

A turkey baster wrould also work if the dish is at a small incline. There is no ideal solution to the problem when space is at a premium, it is time consuming at best and a pain in the "a" at worst. I rotate one dish/strainer in full and then the empty one replaces but you have many plants and I've got a few. Now my tallest plant is 33" so it is call the wife and make the switch while I hold Lassie.

One drop said:
You could get a tote that fits under you can set up a small pump or use a big syringe to suck it out or put pot risers under your pot in the tray . Hope that helps buddy regards OD .

Dirtbag · Aug 12, 2020

Yup, I like the couregated roofing material too. It's easy to cut to whatever width you want, you can do a full sheet like it looks like cemchris has or chop it down into smaller benches. Mine also runs off into small gutter sections that drain into 2 main runoff totes.
And yeah, to make it the best I'd put an AC condensate pump in the tote and plumb it directly outside. As it is I dump mine manually still like a fewl...

illmatik · Aug 12, 2020

Get yourself a Little Giant shallow condensate pump and you'll be living in the future!

I've got my runoff going into a container outside which I use to feed my garden plants. The fruits and vegis love it.

Anthem · Aug 12, 2020

I checked into trays and pumps with tanks and than I started looking at going full hydro with an Ebb and Flow bucket system. All the DIY work and cost was about the same at a complete hydro system. I ended up just going hydro but I am stuck sucking up the run off every night for another 6 weeks.
I also have some problems with a reservoir for the Ebb and Flow. The standard 55 gallon drum would not fit with my room size. I ended up using RV water storage tanks for reservoirs. You can find them in just about any size you want. The best prices I found came from class A motor parts I think it was.

cemchris · Aug 13, 2020

illmatik said:
Get yourself a Little Giant shallow condensate pump and you'll be living in the future!

I've got my runoff going into a container outside which I use to feed my garden plants. The fruits and vegis love it.

Ive run DTW setups in the past the same way when going big plants

Enforcer · Aug 13, 2020

illmatik said:
I've got a setup similar to Enforcer, individual trays for each plant which gravity drain into a bucket which is sump pumped out of the tent.

I would be happier with a tray which covers the entire floor of the tent though. I'm thinking about getting a 4x4 tray for my 4x4 tent, and two 4x4s for my 4x8. The current setup restricts mobility of the plants and overall freedom. They're also prone to leaking with my stoner engineering.

It would be nice to be able to throw any plant in my veg tent, connect it to one the drip lines and call it a day.

I wanted to go that route too. But those Botanicare 4x4 trays are expensive! I was shocked that a piece of molded plastic was over $100.

illmatik · Aug 13, 2020

cemchris said:
Ive run DTW setups in the past the same way when going big plants

View attachment 1015815

View attachment 1015816

That is a very cool setup

cemchris · Aug 13, 2020

Enforcer said:
I wanted to go that route too. But those Botanicare 4x4 trays are expensive! I was shocked that a piece of molded plastic was over $100.

Beauty of legal states. I can usually grab 4x8's off craigslist for 25 bucks a piece. I still like doing the corrugated tho. 10x easier and quicker to clean. I don't even bother with the tables anymore.

weedtech · Aug 13, 2020

THIS was a useful thread. From Dirtbag cheap

Dirtbag said:
As it is I dump mine manually still like a fewl...

to slightly more involved. And this is the "I have painted myself into a corner" problem for many new farmers. Ya know they just let their plants sit in the puddle and it shows usually with the salty appearance and singed leaf tips. So they take all that great advice and it doesn't work because they fail to properly drain.

illmatik · Aug 14, 2020

I like to stress extra hard and stoner engineer everything up front so that I can relax and kick back for the rest of my days.

It's an ongoing process, but my goal is to have my grow as automated as possible. A successful grow will always require me to get in there with my hands, but reducing the amount of work I actually need to do is a plus as well.

Coco is a very powerful medium, but to get the most out of it requires everything to be dialed in just right . Put in that extra work up front to get an automated irrigation setup so that coco is always moist, and a nice drain system so you never have to stress about runoff. Watch your yields AND your free time go up :P

Homegrown365 · Aug 16, 2020

My 2cents. I use a paintstick to suck up runoff when the plant pan overflows, which isn't to often. But I have it on hand when it does. Works great. Just remover the roller attachment n suck up ya run off. Just a suggestion.
Stay safe!!!
Success w/ya grow!!!

tomatoesarecooltoo · Aug 16, 2020

Working on a drain for my tray, right now it just has a hole with a bucket underneath, but I want to avoid potential splashes. Will post a pic when I get it sorted.

Best way to handle runoff?

Best way to handle runoff?

One drop

Bush Doctor

Madmax

mikeross

KrustyGrow

illmatik

Attachments

illmatik

Pondracer

Kampbe1l

sambapati

Dirtbag

illmatik

Anthem

cemchris

Enforcer

illmatik

cemchris

weedtech

illmatik

Homegrown365

Attachments

tomatoesarecooltoo

Best way to handle runoff?

Best way to handle runoff?

One drop

Bush Doctor

Madmax

mikeross

KrustyGrow

illmatik

Attachments

illmatik

Pondracer

Kampbe1l

sambapati

Dirtbag

illmatik

Anthem

cemchris

Enforcer

illmatik

cemchris

weedtech

illmatik

Homegrown365

Attachments

tomatoesarecooltoo

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency