Plant Saucer for 100 gallon smartpot

[Bat-Fastard]

Hey guys, setting up my tent for for a 100 gallon smartpot for a communal bed but kinda at a loss when it comes to the base for it.

I want to keep the pot elevated off the ground for air flow and to prevent water logging, but cant find anything that will work in a 4x4 area.

I was thinking of using a plastic pallet but I'd like something that is easier to swivel so I can get at all the plants.

I'm sure someone here has figured this out so please help!

 

[Guest]

I use several of the square covers for downspout drain wells.

https://www.menards.com/main/plumbi...lastic-grate/1211g/p-1444448944504-c-8633.htm
They come in different shapes and sizes but you get the idea. They last forever.

 

[hellfire]

Right sized kid's mini pool. Most are kind of flimsy but there are thicker ones out there. Could customize it with spouts if you drill carefully.
Those grates stewart posted look nice and clean, also durable.

 

[GOT_BUD?]

Do what I did. Buy some cheap casters off of Amazon and build your own rolling dolly the exact size you need out of 3/4" OSB. Place one caster to support roughly 18" square inches, and it'll roll across the room with a minimal amount of effort.

I built 8, 22" square carts and put my 25 gallon smart pots on top of each one with a layer of panda film between them to protect the OSB from getting water damaged. A caster in each corner and one in the middle. I was going to put a shallow lip around the edge to become a sort of saucer, but never bothered. What little water that spills lands on a concrete floor, and is usually dry within the hour.

 

[Bat-Fastard]

I use several of the square covers for downspout drain wells.

https://www.menards.com/main/plumbi...lastic-grate/1211g/p-1444448944504-c-8633.htm
They come in different shapes and sizes but you get the idea. They last forever.

Nice! Looks like what I want but the 24" grate is 299$ compared to the 12" one... gotta keep looking.

Wondering how it would go with one of those grates and the standard 4x4 waterproof tent floors.

 

[tobedetermined]

Get a flood table. https://www.botanicare.com/trays-and-reservoirs/

I am using a 3' x 3' inside my tent to drain my smart pots. It is very sturdy. Mine was $100 CDN.

 

[Guest]

Nice! Looks like what I want but the 24" grate is 299$ compared to the 12" one... gotta keep looking.

Wondering how it would go with one of those grates and the standard 4x4 waterproof tent floors.

Can you just use 4 of the 12x12?
I don’t use that big of pots. 5 gallons for me. I also acquired some heavy thick plastic. Little thicker than vapor barrier stuff. I first line my tent floor with actual vapor barrier and up a few inches up the side all way around the tent like the drip tray that comes with Gorilla tents. Then I do it again with the heavier plastic (think of a welding curtain material if you have ever seen that) it effectively turns my whole small tent into a drip tray. Put down the grates to fill as needed.
I pull grates and wash down floor after every grow to keep clean. Someday Gorilla is going to figure out they can make money buy selling premade heavy water proof liners for their tents. Not the flimsy ones they include.

 

[Bat-Fastard]

That's a really great idea Stewart but I could see that being a bitch to keep clean, though if I could fine clear plastic that should work.

I'm also intrigued by the reservoirs from botanicare but I'm concerned about using that much vertical space. Man, if one of those plastic grates and reservoirs came in 36" I'd be dancing!

Building my own with casters seems like the best option but I'm concerned the wheels would destroy the tent floor...

As soons as I come up with something I'll post pictures. Thanks for the ideas guys!

 

[Guest]

That's a really great idea Stewart but I could see that being a bitch to keep clean, though if I could fine clear plastic that should work.

I'm also intrigued by the reservoirs from botanicare but I'm concerned about using that much vertical space. Man, if one of those plastic grates and reservoirs came in 36" I'd be dancing!

Building my own with casters seems like the best option but I'm concerned the wheels would destroy the tent floor...

As soons as I come up with something I'll post pictures. Thanks for the ideas guys!

Cleanliness isn’t an issue really. Don’t water excessively. I get runoff but it’s not like I’m flushing. I have gotten out the shop wet vac a couple times but I was being cautious about standing water. Usually whatever runoff is in the bottom will evaporate quickly.
I spent a long time trying to find one of those drain to waste trays to fit my small tent but never have.
After my last grow I took out all the plastic for my home made liner and bleached and cleaned as well as checking to see if I had any leaking. No evidence of so much as a drop. If I had room for a bigger tent I probably wouldn’t need to try this hard but doing this I can fit 4 plants in a 2X2.5 footprint. 7 feet tall gives me room headroom but I’ve had cola’s almost touching my LED. Its been an evolving process. I have more pots and saucers than I would admit in my efforts to maximize space. This works best for me.

 

[tobedetermined]

I'm also intrigued by the reservoirs from botanicare but I'm concerned about using that much vertical space.

I give up 7" of height. I have it elevated on a few pavers to get it just high enough to slide a thin bowl to catch run off. It worked really well for my last grow. I am just popping a couple of sativa beans to test my height limits.

 

[Bat-Fastard]

I decided to go with a plastic dolly under my 100 gallon pot with PVC pipe frame to give a bit more support on the sides of the dolly. I put a German army surplus ground sheet cut to the size of the floor of the tent to protect the bottom from the wheels. Going to fill it up with soil and get some cover crop mix in that bitch. If all goes well with watering etc, I'll post a pic.

 

[CrushnYuba]

You want something cheap that drains well... Corrugated roofing. Pvc or polycarbonate. Put on a slight angle so it drains to one direction so you can catch the run off. I build wood frames for them so they are elevated. You could just put them on blocks if u want.
I do this instead of using hydro tables.

 

[Bat-Fastard]

Nice idea! That would definitely keep things nice and clean. I might try that next cycle or when I get my other tent up and running.