Under the soil pot? Flooring/drainage design

Overgrowtho

Well-Known Member
Hi, I am in the process of setting up a 4x4" indoor soil grow with SCROG in a small storage unit. There will be 2-4 plants. There is a concrete floor and the room will be sealed (Co2).

I am worried about water running through the pots and creating a less-than-clean, humid environment. How can I manage that water coming out the bottom of plants?

What kind of setup is optimal for under the pots? Perhaps a basin to collect water and send it out of a valve? Any thoughts or ideas? Pictures or products you can share with me?

Would be much appreciated. Thank you
 

Renfro

Well-Known Member
I am in the process of setting up a 4x4" indoor soil grow with SCROG in a small storage unit.
Well one might consider a 4x4 inch grow a bit small lol. Really though running a recirculating hydro setup could mitigate the collection issues and make water go a long way. Another option is a bucket in a bucket type system like what I use in my grow, but I have a floor drain. Of course you could use a flood and drain tray as a collection tray with a tilt for drainage. How do you intend to remove the waste water?
 

Overgrowtho

Well-Known Member
lol 4x4 feet. Yes thats my question Im trying to figure out. Maybe I should have a basin to collect all the water that seeps through the pots, which can be drained out of the grow room via a valve. Otherwise I dont see how to avoid mosture buildup, root rot ( could elevate the pots a bit) but its not pretty to just let the water fall on the floor! hydro should be better for the long run.
 

Renfro

Well-Known Member
Well moisture like standing water openly, is bad. Causes humidity problems, mildew / mold, fungus gnats... it's all bad.

Maybe I should have a basin to collect all the water that seeps through the pots, which can be drained out of the grow room via a valve
Water doesn't flow up hill. Valve? Do you mean a pump? That would work provided the basin has water level deep enough the pump can pickup the water without sucking air. A float switch like a sump pump type setup. They make condensate pumps but they are meant for a small but constant flow rate so sizing it would be important. How many gallons of runoff per day are we talking? What sorta elevation restrictions are in play? I am assuming no floor drains or sump pit is available.

As to collection, how do you intend to grow your plants? Lots of smaller plants or a few larger ones? If doing less plants then a bucket in a bucket setup with hoses linking them to your "basin" could work, just have to elevate them a little. If doing a larger number of smaller plants you could use a flood and drain tray thats slightly elevated with a little tilt towards the drain end of the tray, a hose to the "basin".
 

Overgrowtho

Well-Known Member
I could likely add a floor drain with odor sealing, to keep out outside air.

It will be a little tricky with the concrete floor not graded as of right now. Now the conrete floor is just painted white.

The space is an outdoor storage unit on the side of the house, so it could drain to the outside.

Im thinking to do a small number of plants like 2-4.
 

jondamon

Well-Known Member
I could likely add a floor drain with odor sealing, to keep out outside air.

It will be a little tricky with the concrete floor not graded as of right now. Now the conrete floor is just painted white.

The space is an outdoor storage unit on the side of the house, so it could drain to the outside.

Im thinking to do a small number of plants like 2-4.
Why not just elevate your plants and use a large drip tray underneath.
You can the either route the drip tray drainage to where you want it or syphon the drainage water out via an aquarium hand syphon pump etc.
 

Overgrowtho

Well-Known Member
I ended up installing a floor drain/slope. If using fabric bag pots, what should I put between the grow bag and floor so the water can move away? I was thinking some kind proous bathroom mat? Like this?
1598374040296.png
 

jondamon

Well-Known Member
I ended up installing a floor drain/slope. If using fabric bag pots, what should I put between the grow bag and floor so the water can move away? I was thinking some kind proous bathroom mat? Like this?
View attachment 4664411

that could work but will also trap debris if there is any.

if that porous Matt is rigid you could lift it slightly on a stand to allow debris to wash away too.
 

Macncheesehaze

Well-Known Member
Now I’m no expert but I’m guessing if your growing in a storage unit and it will be sealed that you won’t be going there every day. Bridging the gap, I didn’t want to have to keep opening and closing my tent because of the smell so I got Autopots. That might be your solution. You won’t have to go in to water and nothing will be flooding out of the bottom. You’ll just have to refill the Rez as needed and adjust your lights defoliate etc.
 

Overgrowtho

Well-Known Member
possibly could, my main focus at this time is keeping the side profile low, so I think soil will be easiest

 

Overgrowtho

Well-Known Member
For autopot I would need to modify the typical system to keep are between stem and floor 5-6 inches? That would be fine?

Is it very difficult to build?
 

Overgrowtho

Well-Known Member
Each Autopot module includes 2 pots and one tray with a patented “smart valve” to regulate the flow of solution. A wick mat at the bottom? Sounds like a bit difficult to build. Unless there is some really clear instructions1 out there...
 

Macncheesehaze

Well-Known Member
Each Autopot module includes 2 pots and one tray with a patented “smart valve” to regulate the flow of solution. A wick mat at the bottom? Sounds like a bit difficult to build. Unless there is some really clear instructions1 out there...
You literally stick the grommet in, stick the tube in and boom. That root mat is like putting a piece of paper in the bottom of a pot. It’s simple brother. Children could put it together.
 

Overgrowtho

Well-Known Member
Thats cool, but Im still a bit confused. Is there any recommended autopot design/tutorial that I can copy or be inspired by? Maybe I can start a biz in this country to sell those since they arent available here.
 
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