Lowes Cement Tub...Problem with water sealing

[LetUsC]

Hey All. Thanks to this room for helping me decide to do a DIY grow. I have one of those Tubs for Lowes and fittings for eb and flow. I cant seem to get the thing water tight though. Leads around my fittings. Any pointers on how I can solve this? I drilled holes in the tub with 1" bit and tried gluiing rubber washers around the hole and other things. nothing works. Any pointers appreciated.


LUC

 

[PurplePotion]

Use an epoxy to seal the fittings to the tub.. simple and safe fix.

 

[Bigdogg]

I used fish tank Silicone glue on mine. Another problem I ran in to was the water did not drain out enough,I had to tilt the tub to drain proprerly.

 

[Daemon]

^^Really? Hmmm, if that's the case I may try something else. Why wouldn't it drain properly?

To the OP, I would definitely epoxy it!!

 

[Mr Celsius]

Why aren't you guys using Ebb n' flow fittings? I mean, spring the $4 at a hydro store... you won't have any issues. Also, always use Teflon tape ($1).

 

[FreezerBoy]

I used fish tank Silicone glue on mine. Another problem I ran in to was the water did not drain out enough,I had to tilt the tub to drain proprerly.

I built a small tilt into my table top for just that reason and then placed the drain hole in the lowest corner. Still didn't drain it all because of the grommet lip.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can form a custom depression for the drain instead. Use a heat gun on the outside and press a cylindrical object into the softened plastic from the inside. Dose the depression into cold water to set it. Truth in advertising: Not my idea, I'll try to remember where I saw this here at IC.

 

[clowntown]

fuzygrowth's Let's Fog It Up thread?

 

[FreezerBoy]

BINGO!

 

[Daemon]

So, how big of a deal is it if the tray doesn't drain completely?

 

[clowntown]

Depends on how much doesn't drain. Could be minor to no problem at all, but if there's a large enough pool for long enough it could cause root rot, algae in the tray, etc. You you really can't get it to drain completely, it might be wise to put down a layer of Hydroton on the bottom, or maybe a sheet of those plastic fluorescent light grids.

 

[imnotcrazy]

Egg Crate Fluoro Light Louvers, sold @ Home Depot/Lowe's will keep the pots/medium out of the water equivalent to the Purpose built E&F tables you can grab up at the hydro shop:









Just keep the Light from hitting them if you go this route, they tend to assist algae in establishing in your tray...

 

[yamaha_1fan]

I ran those cement trays with the fittings in the middle, no biggie. A little water stays in the bottom, its not like the roots are soaking in it

Standard ebb and flo fittings should fit without any need for sealants. Make sure you use the rubber gaskets on both sides. If already elbow deep into sealants, take it all apart clean everything off and use GOOP for plumbing. Put it all back together, and run some goop on the inside of the tray around the fittings.

 

[green_tea]

the local grow store around here (at least the one with the fittings for sale) sells them for like 10 bucks a part... No I am not shitting you...

I spent 10 bucks per pair of mine online, and even with shipping, it still came to like half what it would have been in the store.

EDIT: what type of bulb are you using for veg there yamaha?
looks like CMH to me

 

[yamaha_1fan]

1000w MH

 

[DIGITALHIPPY]

Egg Crate Fluoro Light Louvers, sold @ Home Depot/Lowe's will keep the pots/medium out of the water equivalent to the Purpose built E&F tables you can grab up at the hydro shop:









Just keep the Light from hitting them if you go this route, they tend to assist algae in establishing in your tray...

i have some of thoes light crates for my 2x3 flood tables. they work great at suspending the medium to keep it from getting waterlogged.
good tip for these guys!