managing runoff

To preface, I am a newbie growing in coco. I have a 4x8 grow tent and currently have two week old seedlings in Solo cups that will transplant to 1 gallon and then 7 gallon containers.
My question is... if you have your plants in water collection containers (saucers, etc), how do you manage the water in the saucers? Do you have to lift your pots out of the saucers and carry the saucers out to dump them and then return the pot to the saucer? I don't want this water to just sit and become stagnant but I am sure there is an efficient way to deal with this.

I have also considered a watering system that might take advantage of this runoff to re-use it but seem to be quite intimidated by it.

Thank you in advance for your respectful and helpful replies.

MountainMedic1206 said:

I have also considered a watering system that might take advantage of this runoff to re-use it but seem to be quite intimidated by it.

Click to expand...

Don't reuse runoff on your plants, throw it on an outdoor ornamental if you want.

A shopvac is great for emptying saucers.

If you have a floor drain you can grow using a bucket in a bucket like I do. Top bucket has a bunch of 1/4" holes in the bottom for drainage. The bottom bucket has a grommet on the side close to the bottom, a barbed fitting goes there and connects to a hose that goes to the floor drain. Now the standing water thats below the fitting (say 1/2") is sealed inside between the two buckets to prevent fungus gnats and shit.

Use 3/4 or 1 inch hose and fittings or the little bits of soil and shit will plug up the line.

https://www.amazon.com/Botanicare-GTOD46X46X6B-Tray-OD-Black/dp/B007XR64J4/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=botanicare+tray&qid=1566804203&s=gateway&sr=8-2

https://growershouse.com/gro-pro-nx-level-pot-elevator-13-in-up-to-7-gal-pots

(don't buy that tray on amazon it will be half the $ at a local hydro shop)

if you're like me and don't like getting ripped off for a piece of branded plastic you can also get the trays that go under a washer/dryer at home depot they have the same drain fitting

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Oatey-28-in-x-30-in-Plastic-Washing-Machine-Pan-with-1-in-Furnished-Drain-Adapter-34067/100080446

but you'd have to elevate/angle it yourself

Also, if you don't have a drain thats below your runoff level you can use a condensate pump to pump the water up to a drain. They have a built in float switch so they will turn on as needed. You can also make your own with a pond pump, bucket and a float switch.

Just make sure the pump you use is capable of pumping the height/distance required. Larger diameter tube will cause the column of water above the pump to weigh more thus reducing the pumps head height. Any downhill length after peak height will siphon assisting the pump over longer distances.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/LITTLE-GIANT-VCMA-20ULS-Pump-Condensate-115V/189882413?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=1122&adid=22222222227057462747&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=161515889972&wl4=aud-566049426705:pla-270793116181&wl5=1014611&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=101593696&wl11=online&wl12=189882413&veh=sem&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgsvno4Sg5AIVjuNkCh09yw2bEAQYAiABEgJc4fD_BwE

As a more seasoned cocoholic...
3gallon fabric is a very common sweet spot for typical indoor coco. Runoff from 7gal would be more hassle.

Coco college.
https://www.cocoforcannabis.com/principles-fertigation-feed-water-cannabis-coco/

What works for me.
From solo direct into 3gal. Put it thru a few wet dry cycles and let'm veg until bearded. (Root tips air pruned from coming thru fabric.)

Then they are ready for multi-feeds during flower.

Very good information! I think these responses give me the information I needed. Thank you!!!

The pot elevators are super expensive! I do like the idea of the washing machine drain trays. What do you think about
1-2" cedar disks for use as elevators? I know cedar is pretty much resistant to everything and is good at chasing bugs away. Thoughts?

I do see that I can purchase them cheaply through growers house but the shipping is crazy.

These are handy......cheaper without the fancy handle.

MountainMedic1206 said:

The pot elevators are super expensive! I do like the idea of the washing machine drain trays. What do you think about
1-2" cedar disks for use as elevators? I know cedar is pretty much resistant to everything and is good at chasing bugs away. Thoughts?

I do see that I can purchase them cheaply through growers house but the shipping is crazy.

Click to expand...

try to find them locally. they were $2 each at my local hydro shop.
but yeah i've seen people use almost anything.

also if you don't wanna buy a shop vac or an electronic pump you could get a hand pump or my personal favorite:

https://www.amazon.com/Stream-Machine-QF-2000-35-Inch-Launcher/dp/B000F32SM0/ref=pd_bxgy_21_img_2/131-5470937-3272614?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B000F32SM0&pd_rd_r=b62f2a7b-615e-4a61-859c-d7a0ef2c5c52&pd_rd_w=AV7K0&pd_rd_wg=3oi2l&pf_rd_p=a2006322-0bc0-4db9-a08e-d168c18ce6f0&pf_rd_r=7Q1CTDKMDAG5Y8XSGST0&psc=1&refRID=7Q1CTDKMDAG5Y8XSGST0

shoots up to 70 feet...

Renfro said:

Don't reuse runoff on your plants, throw it on an outdoor ornamental if you want.

A shopvac is great for emptying saucers.

If you have a floor drain you can grow using a bucket in a bucket like I do. Top bucket has a bunch of 1/4" holes in the bottom for drainage. The bottom bucket has a grommet on the side close to the bottom, a barbed fitting goes there and connects to a hose that goes to the floor drain. Now the standing water thats below the fitting (say 1/2") is sealed inside between the two buckets to prevent fungus gnats and shit.

Use 3/4 or 1 inch hose and fittings or the little bits of soil and shit will plug up the line.

Click to expand...

I use a shopvac for my 15 gal pots in saucers, and then dump it outside. Kinda a pain, but it works well. For a small pot I would just dump the water from the tray, but I wouldn't want to try doing that with my 15 gal pots.

Use the trays upside down and vac up or mop up the run off from the floor.
You should not do that if you don't have a tray on your tent floor but ive never seen a tent without one.