4x8 grotek high tide tray- smallest res?
- Thread starter one Q
- Start date
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EvilTwin
Hi oneQ,
The math is pretty easy. First figure the volume in inches. Length x width x depth. That's your volume in cubic inches. Then divide that volume number by 231 which will give you gallons. (231 cubic inches = one gallon)
If you're math dyslexic, give me the exact dimensions and depth of flood and I'll do it for you.
ET
The math is pretty easy. First figure the volume in inches. Length x width x depth. That's your volume in cubic inches. Then divide that volume number by 231 which will give you gallons. (231 cubic inches = one gallon)
If you're math dyslexic, give me the exact dimensions and depth of flood and I'll do it for you.
ET
Outportgrower
Member
Perfect !! That comment just made my night. I think we all have times like that though. Have one myself right now with my new system I am trying to plan out. Ah, how many 5" net pots can I fit in an area 13/12 x 27/12 and leave room for lines and filling. Pretty simple really, but I keep making it harder than I need to.
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dongle69
A standard 4x8 tray holds 80 gallons easy (4" water depth).
I wouldn't use anything smaller than a 100 gal reservoir.
Calculation:
Height you wish to flood in the tray (H) x Width of the tray (W) x Length of the tray (L).
For this calculation it is best to convert feet into inches.
Then multiply the cubic inches by 0.0043 to convert it into gallons.
I wouldn't use anything smaller than a 100 gal reservoir.
Calculation:
Height you wish to flood in the tray (H) x Width of the tray (W) x Length of the tray (L).
For this calculation it is best to convert feet into inches.
Then multiply the cubic inches by 0.0043 to convert it into gallons.
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EvilTwin
Hi Dongle,
That matches my calculations. Around 80 gallons at 8+ pounds per gallon is 640 pounds.
OneQ...better build a very serious frame to support that tray!
Cheers,
ET
PS: OPG I don't understand your dimensions 13/12 x 27/12 I'd give you my opinion but is that a metric config or what?
That matches my calculations. Around 80 gallons at 8+ pounds per gallon is 640 pounds.
OneQ...better build a very serious frame to support that tray!
Cheers,
ET
PS: OPG I don't understand your dimensions 13/12 x 27/12 I'd give you my opinion but is that a metric config or what?
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EvilTwin
Hi OneQ
...100 gal minimum for sure. If a 120 gal is about the same price, you may want to give yourself a little extra room. And those calculations were based on a 4" flood. Is that correct?
Oh, and when you're building the frame, be sure to use your level. If the table is all leveled out properly, you'll get nice drainage from it. No wet spots. But I'm sure you had that planned anyway.
Peace,
ET
...100 gal minimum for sure. If a 120 gal is about the same price, you may want to give yourself a little extra room. And those calculations were based on a 4" flood. Is that correct?
Oh, and when you're building the frame, be sure to use your level. If the table is all leveled out properly, you'll get nice drainage from it. No wet spots. But I'm sure you had that planned anyway.
Peace,
ET
Is the drain in the center? I built my old E&F with one corner lower than the others and placed my drain there.
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dongle69
Good trays are designed to drain to one end while they are level, as the channels are tilted, not the raised surface that the containers sit on.
This way all the plants get the same flood depth.
This way all the plants get the same flood depth.
Really? Cool. Got it. I was using a rubbermaid style container.
Avon Barksdale
Member
i use 5 gallon buckets for my ebb and flow tables, i use 8 buckets for a 3x6 table. i like how low my tables sit and i have yet to have a problem with a res that doesnt fit under the tables
i ran a 70gall ebb n flow for about a year on a 4x8. works but you have to top up your res every two days. then i wisely made the switch to a top feed set up. that same 70 never needed to be toped up, i changed the res once a week, and there would be about 10gallong left in the res,so i basically put nothing down the drain at the end of the week, vs ebb n flow where i not only topped my res twice that week with more nutes, i then dump 40gal down the drain.
I think wicking from ebb n flow causes alot of build up in salts and i think it makes the medium hold too much water, the top feed uses gravity to give the plant just what it needs
I think wicking from ebb n flow causes alot of build up in salts and i think it makes the medium hold too much water, the top feed uses gravity to give the plant just what it needs
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EvilTwin
Avon, I was just wondering how high your table floods? I've always read that you should flood at least half way up if you're using pots in E&F. 4" up on a 5 gallon pot isn't very high. You must be using a medium with good wicking qualities.
boxmunch...I must say Dude, you've made some excellent points for a top feed irrigation system. Gave me much food for thought...thanks.
Peace,
ET
ugmjfarmer
Member
You can always use less of a tank if you do a drip system. In nute cost alone drip systems pay for themselves. I am able to run a 4x6 off a 40 gal res. Just make sure you have two gallons per plant, in my case, 24 plants = 40 gal just fine. My top offs are less than a gallon a day and PH is stable.
Another thought is that you can run multiple 4x8's off a 100gal res ebb and flow as long as you have multiple pumps to control them all, and you also program your pumps so that only one table is flooding at a time. I would think that you need to change your res more often to make that work though.
In comment to wicking capabilities of 5 gal pots, I would think the squat containers with loose rockwool would be all the wicking you need.
Another thought is that you can run multiple 4x8's off a 100gal res ebb and flow as long as you have multiple pumps to control them all, and you also program your pumps so that only one table is flooding at a time. I would think that you need to change your res more often to make that work though.
In comment to wicking capabilities of 5 gal pots, I would think the squat containers with loose rockwool would be all the wicking you need.
its a life changing event. i never did it because for some reason i thought it was too complex. but its not, took me 1hr to set up 5 4x8s and was kicking myself for not doing it before. I used to turn the pumps on for 2mins every 1.5 hours, keep them perfectly moist, not wet, and aerated the nutes great, which in turn made the PH almost a constant
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EvilTwin
One Q...
My apologies for using your thread here...but I want to query boxmunch and can't PM him.
Boxmunch9,
First question is why didn't you call yourself Boxmunch69? So much more zing! lol
OK, I hate digital timers and am unable to deal with the complexities of setting them. Bad eyes and wrong temperament. I've tried and failed. Other options?
What media were you using with the short irrigations every 1.5 hours?
With hydroton, could I just use an E&F type schedule? 15 minute irrigations every 3 hours...or something like that?
Is it necessary to use a drip "ring" or is a 1/4" tube...oh say with a Tee on the end good enough?
Thanks in advance...
ET
Avon Barksdale
Member
you might not need a 100 gallon res, i use a 40 gallon for my 3x6 i know that is alot less volume, but your not flooding an empty tray there is going to be some sort of media consuming volume, i dont flood the tray to the top i only flood mine about 2.5 inchs.
but since a 4x8 is almost double the volume i would get at least a 80 gallon res
but since a 4x8 is almost double the volume i would get at least a 80 gallon res
