Drainage Solutions for Coco DTW Setups?

logical · Jul 10, 2025

I've noticed a lot of growers are using coco with a drain to waste setup, and I’m curious about how everyone is handling drainage. Especially since coco needs to be fertigated multiple times a day during flower until a good amount of runoff. I tried the Floraflex drainage system but personally didn’t have the best experience with it, so now I’m exploring some DIY options.

One idea I’ve considered is modifying saucers by adding feet and installing bulkheads with hoses running to a condensate pump. Another option I’m thinking about is placing a tray in my tent with fabric pots elevated on risers, and using an automatic sump pump to remove excess runoff from the tray on the floor. I’d really appreciate hearing what’s worked for others. Photos would be even better if you're willing to share.

Illbill · Jul 10, 2025

I use oversized saucers. Way oversized. And risers. Just suck them out once a day with a shop vac. The oversized saucers are way cheaper than the big trays but I would rather a 4x4 tray for the 4x4 tent. In my 2x4 tent I have a long flat tote that I got from Walmart that fits it good.

spase · Jul 10, 2025

I'm setting up a hydro in coco system. It's all home made. I've got 3 gallon fabric pots sitting on 12 inch saucers. I plan on drilling a small hole at an edge, raising the pot a couple inches and draining into a flat container of some kind. I started a grow diary and will add pictures as I get my set up set up...

This will be my second grow, and I'm really looking forward to it.

Grownsince95 · Jul 10, 2025

After trying to rig all kinds of tubes and pumps in the past Im back to just using a turkey baster and dealing with it. With 3 plants it's less than a quart per day. Went down to the shore for 4 days last weekend and had about a gallon to clean up when I got back. Just the cost of doing business.

You'd be surprised how little runoff you need if you're not over feeding. 10% is fine. I don't even check it anymore unless the plants are showing signs of stress.

A few years ago I had a grow I could only visit once a week so instead of daily runoff sitting in the bottom of the tent every day they got a good flush the day I was there to reset the medium and cleaned up with a shop vac. Simple and effective.

I'll be tuned in to see what you guys come up with but I'm done adding any more tubes or pumps to my setup.

spase · Jul 10, 2025

I just can't be available all the time, so as automatic as I can make it is the way to go.

logical · Jul 10, 2025

Illbill said:
I use oversized saucers. Way oversized. And risers. Just suck them out once a day with a shop vac. The oversized saucers are way cheaper than the big trays but I would rather a 4x4 tray for the 4x4 tent. In my 2x4 tent I have a long flat tote that I got from Walmart that fits it good.

I'm in the same boat as you. But now I'm torn between saucers and a single tray. I just can't seem to find a tray for a reasonable price so going the saucer route may be inevitable.

spase said:
I'm setting up a hydro in coco system. It's all home made. I've got 3 gallon fabric pots sitting on 12 inch saucers. I plan on drilling a small hole at an edge, raising the pot a couple inches and draining into a flat container of some kind. I started a grow diary and will add pictures as I get my set up set up...

This will be my second grow, and I'm really looking forward to it.

I think I may go that same route. Get some saucers and modify them for drainage.

Grownsince95 said:
After trying to rig all kinds of tubes and pumps in the past Im back to just using a turkey baster and dealing with it. With 3 plants it's less than a quart per day. Went down to the shore for 4 days last weekend and had about a gallon to clean up when I got back. Just the cost of doing business.

You'd be surprised how little runoff you need if you're not over feeding. 10% is fine. I don't even check it anymore unless the plants are showing signs of stress.

A few years ago I had a grow I could only visit once a week so instead of daily runoff sitting in the bottom of the tent every day they got a good flush the day I was there to reset the medium and cleaned up with a shop vac. Simple and effective.

I'll be tuned in to see what you guys come up with but I'm done adding any more tubes or pumps to my setup.

I can't imagine going back to the manual way of removing waste water. Now a days, I'm trying to automate and be hands off as much as possible.

spase said:
I just can't be available all the time, so as automatic as I can make it is the way to go.

That part. With all the technology now, we shouldn't have to touch the grow more than once or twice a week in my opinion. I'm all about automation. Automate feeding and drainage, all I should have to do is change the res when needed and a little defoliation here n there.

shooter64738 · Jul 12, 2025

I don't do drain to waste in my coco anymore, but when I did, I drilled a small hole in my drain pans and connected hoses to all of them. I used some short 2x4 wood blocks hot glued to the tray to hold them up. Those all went to 4 way connectors until finally at the last hose everything went to one water transfer pump. No resevoir, just the hoses themselves held waste and pumped it to a 1gal container outside the tent.

The pump ran 10 minutes before watering, 5 minutes before watering, 10,30,60 minutes after watering to catch new run off.

I also prefer 100% automation, and I'm testing out my new dosing system for adding nutes. I'm really close to dropping seeds/clones and walking away until they are done.

logical · Jul 13, 2025

shooter64738 said:
I don't do drain to waste in my coco anymore, but when I did, I drilled a small hole in my drain pans and connected hoses to all of them. I used some short 2x4 wood blocks hot glued to the tray to hold them up. Those all went to 4 way connectors until finally at the last hose everything went to one water transfer pump. No resevoir, just the hoses themselves held waste and pumped it to a 1gal container outside the tent.

The pump ran 10 minutes before watering, 5 minutes before watering, 10,30,60 minutes after watering to catch new run off.

I also prefer 100% automation, and I'm testing out my new dosing system for adding nutes. I'm really close to dropping seeds/clones and walking away until they are done.

If you don't drain to waste in your coco anymore, what do you do?

shooter64738 · Jul 13, 2025

logical said:
If you don't drain to waste in your coco anymore, what do you do?

I water 4 times per day with an automated water system. It runs for short periods, and I might occasionally get a few drops in the drip pans. Never anything to drain away.

shooter64738 · Jul 13, 2025

If anyone of you have access to a 3d printer I've drawn filter rings, drain adapters, anti syphons, brackets, water rings, all kinds of little things for growers.

For my drains I drilled a 3/8 hole in my pans, then glued my angled drain to it so the pan stayed as low as possible. Using a reg plumbing elbow was too tall for me to keep the hose from kinking. Unless I raised it up 6" and vertical space is kind of a premium for me.

Or I could draw up something else if it's helpful.

NWFCult1vars · Jul 20, 2025

I used an elevated boot tray/drainage tray with a self installed drain hose that went to a little giant automatic condensate pump. Using this method you can run a recirculating or waste system.

RoadKillSkunkHunt · Jul 20, 2025

spase said:
I just can't be available all the time, so as automatic as I can make it is the way to go.

Not exactly drain to waste, but still very effective in coco + perlite applications.

Drainage Solutions for Coco DTW Setups?

Drainage Solutions for Coco DTW Setups?

logical

Illbill

spase

Grownsince95

🤘😆👍

spase

logical

shooter64738

logical

shooter64738

shooter64738

NWFCult1vars

RoadKillSkunkHunt

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