Coco bed tray advice?

[bibbles]

When I bought my first tent, it was in the middle of my first grow, which was falling out of the closet; I was distracted by the logistics of moving an Aeroflo with big plants in it, didn't think about the future, and ended up with one of the 4x8 tents meant to fit in that footprint, rather than fit 4x8 equipment inside of it.

Long story short, after trying a few other things, I'd like to switch to coco; Jacks coco beds are obviously alluring, but a standard 4x8 tray will not fit in this tent. A couple companies make 4x8 OD trays, but I'm unsure those it will fit... then I saw that Jack had mentioned making his trellises larger than the trays, and figured I might as well look into something smaller.

A standard 3x6 tray would work, and there's a 3x6 GeoPlanter I can use as a liner, albeit twice the depth of the tray. I decided to do a bit more looking, and stumbled upon the Botanicare Eazy Drain reservoirs; the 100 gallon size is 81.5x30x13.75, just a little longer/thinner than the 3x6 trays (although also twice as deep), and eliminates the need to build a tilted table... though I'd have to figure out my own liner.

I suppose the best option is probably the 3x6 and GeoPlanter, especially as I can use the PVC supports as a base for a DIY trellis (avoiding placing more weight on the tent), and perhaps that extra depth will allow me to pack things a little more densely (compensating for the smaller tray).

Anyway, I guess that's about where I'm at in this thought process, and any advice would be greatly appreciated! :D

 

[bibbles]

Is there really an advantage to be had with the deeper beds? I haven't seen what the root mass looks like coming *out* of coco beds, but they have tones of space! I read that they may do custom sizes, and if so (at a negligible cost difference), I may get a shorter pot due to height restrictions, as well as the resulting access restrictions.

A deeper bed would stay moist longer, but that aside?

 

[GR33NL3AF]

Make your own with 2x4's and plywood. Line it with visqueen and cut holes for standard drains used on a plastic tray, seal with silicone and place smart pot fabric over the drain holes and drop the coco in. It's simple and may actually be cheaper then a new tray.

My coco beds are around 6-7"s now but the beds I am filling today will be 10"s with canna. With the right diet of nutrients and bennies my plants will use all 10''s...quick. A dehumidifier is definitely needed and plenty of fans.

Filling these up today...

 

[Confuten1]

If ur not handy like @GR33NL3AF then yea a 3x6 bed would work. I use 3x3beds and get a canopy of 4x7 no prob. As far as bed dept and coco goes standard 6 inch or so is good. I was also concerned about then not being deep enough at first but after several rounds of good production and happy plants, I'm not concerned anymore as it is at 6 inches that will take about 10 bags of coco to fill up. If u end up with extra space in ur tent jus put a couple extra plants in the corners. Good luck man

Confu

 

[bibbles]

One more question: I haven't seen a bed style grow done in a tent, let alone one as tight as this, is it going to be a problem running the screen all the way to the walls? That is, rather than spilling over the edge, buds would be up against the tent's walls, which would reduce the air flow and available light to those buds.

Make your own with 2x4's and plywood. Line it with visqueen and cut holes for standard drains used on a plastic tray, seal with silicone and place smart pot fabric over the drain holes and drop the coco in. It's simple and may actually be cheaper then a new tray.

Did... did you just take a 4' x 4' piece of plywood, put a frame on the bottom of it, attach the sides to that frame, and call it a day? It doesn't look like the sides are attached to one another, let alone framed up the corners. I had thought about going this rout, but I felt the whole thing needed to be framed, making things far more complicated (especially as I don't have a decent saw, or space to work)!

I'm still not totally comfortable with using wood, it's porous, things might come in on it, and I've seen termites around here... but they have mold and insect treated wood, right? This may be my answer now, please get back to me about the sides!

EDIT: ½ or ⅜ plywood? I'm assuming exterior plywood is the way to go.

If ur not handy like @GR33NL3AF then yea a 3x6 bed would work. I use 3x3beds and get a canopy of 4x7 no prob.

I know I can fill the screen with enough veg time, the issue is that I'm trying to keep veg to a couple weeks at most (up from zero previously); how long do you generally veg for?

 

[slumdog80]

Check out GrowMasters DIY bed build instructional thread. He took a bunch
of pictures that you can piece together the build from. I wish I saw that thread
1000's of $ ago.

 

[Confuten1]

One more question: I haven't seen a bed style grow done in a tent, let alone one as tight as this, is it going to be a problem running the screen all the way to the walls? That is, rather than spilling over the edge, buds would be up against the tent's walls, which would reduce the air flow and available light to those buds.



Did... did you just take a 4' x 4' piece of plywood, put a frame on the bottom of it, attach the sides to that frame, and call it a day? It doesn't look like the sides are attached to one another, let alone framed up the corners. I had thought about going this rout, but I felt the whole thing needed to be framed, making things far more complicated (especially as I don't have a decent saw, or space to work)!

I'm still not totally comfortable with using wood, it's porous, things might come in on it, and I've seen termites around here... but they have mold and insect treated wood, right? This may be my answer now, please get back to me about the sides!

EDIT: ½ or ⅜ plywood? I'm assuming exterior plywood is the way to go.



I know I can fill the screen with enough veg time, the issue is that I'm trying to keep veg to a couple weeks at most (up from zero previously); how long do you generally veg for?

u need to veg in beds at least a couple weeks because it takes a while to build a root system that massive. Ive tried beds with no veg time and the results sucked, during stretch they were building a root system swell and the plants came out with lack luster yields. I veg a while in pots and then transplant into veg at least 2 weeks in beds for the roots. if u wanna go 0 veg, id suggest SOG with 100 plants in small containers

confu

confu

 

[bibbles]

u need to veg in beds at least a couple weeks because it takes a while to build a root system that massive. Ive tried beds with no veg time and the results sucked, during stretch they were building a root system swell and the plants came out with lack luster yields. I veg a while in pots and then transplant into veg at least 2 weeks in beds for the roots. if u wanna go 0 veg, id suggest SOG with 100 plants in small containers

confu

confu

When I was doing zero veg I was in aeroponics, I'm planning on two weeks with the coco bed... maybe three, I have Inda-Gro 420W induction lights, and I'm not really sure how they compare to 1000W HPS et al. I got them due to heat issues with two 400W HPS, and while I've eliminated those issues through different air handling, they've got years left on them, and I've seen a few favorable comparisons to 1000W lamps...

 

[GR33NL3AF]

I just make a 4x8' frame with 2x4s then run a couple cross members for support and lay a sheet of ply on that then screw my plywood walls right into the 2x4 frame. I do have 'L' brackets inside the bed to secure the walls. Then I lay 6Mil visqueen down, cut the drain in and fill them up. The legs are 4x4s attached with large bolts and non slip nuts, no play at all there.

Slum dogs right...did you find his thread?

I believe I used 3/8" for the plywood and I' m not too familiar with termites but I would imagine if you sealed the wood you would be fine.

 

[bibbles]

A

I just make a 4x8' frame with 2x4s then run a couple cross members for support and lay a sheet of ply on that then screw my plywood walls right into the 2x4 frame. I do have 'L' brackets inside the bed to secure the walls. Then I lay 6Mil visqueen down, cut the drain in and fill them up. The legs are 4x4s attached with large bolts and non slip nuts, no play at all there.

Slum dogs right...did you find his thread?

I believe I used 3/8" for the plywood and I' m not too familiar with termites but I would imagine if you sealed the wood you would be fine.

Awesome, thanks! Yes, found and saved it! :D