Build own E&F Tray?

Return of the Spork

Return of the Spork

Well-Known Member
How would it be possible to build my own E&F trays? I am reworking some things in my cabinet and will need to custom make my trays in order to utilize all the space available.

I figure something like making a wooden tray and then lining it with some strong/cleanable waterproof type material. Lots of plastic type shit out there. But I wouldn't know what that material would need to be.

Any ideas?
 
Dirtfree

Dirtfree

Well-Known Member
You can use lots of things for your trays. tubs, containers, anything. I personally use horse troffs. Cheep and uv protected
 
mindphuk

mindphuk

Well-Known Member
I know a lot of people have suggested a concrete mixing tray from Lowes. IIRC, there are DIY plans for making a stand for it from PVC
 
Dirtfree

Dirtfree

Well-Known Member
i dont think i would trust pvc to hold my tray up. It holds 15 gallons of water thats 90 lbs + all the plants and hydroton. I got a cheep shelving unit, one half for veg area and the other half is for my flower tray.
 
mindphuk

mindphuk

Well-Known Member
Dirtfree said:
i dont think i would trust pvc to hold my tray up. It holds 15 gallons of water thats 90 lbs + all the plants and hydroton. I got a cheep shelving unit, one half for veg area and the other half is for my flower tray.
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You don't have to use PVC but the tubs have a lip to them and a 3/4" or 1" PVC frame can be quite strong if designed right.

Here's the tray - http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=19252-000001569-ST3608&detail=&lpage=none
 
flamdrags420

flamdrags420

Well-Known Member
Thanks guys for not answering his question =) Fucking stoners =)
I'm working on the same thing bro. Check out Victor Vicious and Old in The way. Both of those guys have custom trays.
I know VV using straight 2x stock lumber lined with heavy duty pond liner that you can get in the 4 foot rolls.

For mine that I'm building, I'm working on a sub layer of the pond liner; then my plywood box on top of the liner; and then cement board; and then a waterproofing tile membrane. (I'm still up in the air on tiling my tanks and room or not). I'f I don't tile it, Then I'll go straight box with the pond liner on top of that.
But just a solid water pond liner will do the job for ya. I have talked to VV, and so far it can withstand the nutes being held in the tank without deterioration.

Hope that gets you started. Check those two guys threads out. You can see some good shots of the DIY tanks.
 
Return of the Spork

Return of the Spork

Well-Known Member
flamdrags420 said:
Thanks guys for not answering his question =) Fucking stoners =)
I'm working on the same thing bro. Check out Victor Vicious and Old in The way. Both of those guys have custom trays.
I know VV using straight 2x stock lumber lined with heavy duty pond liner that you can get in the 4 foot rolls.

For mine that I'm building, I'm working on a sub layer of the pond liner; then my plywood box on top of the liner; and then cement board; and then a waterproofing tile membrane. (I'm still up in the air on tiling my tanks and room or not). I'f I don't tile it, Then I'll go straight box with the pond liner on top of that.
But just a solid water pond liner will do the job for ya. I have talked to VV, and so far it can withstand the nutes being held in the tank without deterioration.

Hope that gets you started. Check those two guys threads out. You can see some good shots of the DIY tanks.
Click to expand...

Now that is definitely a good +rep post.

Pond Liner will do perfectly, I could imagine it in my head but couldn't place wtf it was.

I currently use an "Under the bed storage container" as it is long but not too wide and fits perfectly in the cabinet. I want to split it into two trays though and nothing else will fit. So it isn't that I want to make my own tray it was that I had to make my tray under specific measurements. You nailed it, thanks.
 
flamdrags420

flamdrags420

Well-Known Member
Ya bro. Thanks for the rep. I have the same probs in my room. I'm using an old coal room in my basement. it's 11x7 in area but I have only 6 feet in height. So I have to really maximize every inch of that space. It makes for a tough challenge that is very slow going as I get my gear and work on my room. And also since it's my first time doing a room like this, there is a lot of time lost doing some trial and error stuff. Although the time spent on research and planing has helped a bunch.

The biggest thing is to make sure you don't skip out on quality of liner/membrane. Thicker is better =) If you get started or done before I do, would love to see some pics. Keep it rockin!
 
Return of the Spork

Return of the Spork

Well-Known Member
I basically bought 1x6 and cut it into the sizes I needed, screwed it together and then attached plywood to the bottom. I cut the holes for the fittings and then put in the pond liner and siliconed the fittings and everything is perfect.

I suggest making your own, can make it to size for cheap even vs rubbermade containers. Home Depot or Lowes will cut the pieces to size for you and all you need is a cheapo drill.
 
doniawon

doniawon

Well-Known Member
i made one with 1x6 and 4x4 piece of plywood.. i screwed it all together, siliconed the 90's and corners screw holes etc...

then i coated the inside with fiberglass resin.. just pour a bunch in add hardener and brush all the exposed wood.. worked all grow..

This worked fine but i scraped it cause it was too heavy and also i had a drain that was raised a 1/4 inch and the water level was too deep.. if i were going to do this again i would use a thin 3x3 piece of plywood and and make the drain flush or recessed a little.. also maybe some lattice in the bottom for drainage???
 
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