Question on weight in tray of Ebbflow system

I have a 3' x 3' American Hydroponic and I have 24 6" x 6" cubes and it is filled to the max. THe center of the tray really sags and when I flood the tray the water really makes the center come down more. Is this normal and should I worry about it breaking? IT looks like good plastic. I realize now that I should of put supports under the tray in the center. I guess I plan to do that when this grow is over. Am I safe??

New to Hydro? Your probably going to realize smaller is better. I've also realized that a lot of the retail systems are crap and your better off building a system for next to nothing with stuff laying around or items you can get at walmart or lowes. If it is sagging I would definetly add some support. Not sure if your set up for an automatic flood system but the last thing you want is to come home to a flooded crib or a burned down home caused by a short circuit.

HerbalRemedy said:

New to Hydro? Your probably going to realize smaller is better. I've also realized that a lot of the retail systems are crap and your better off building a system for next to nothing with stuff laying around or items you can get at walmart or lowes. If it is sagging I would definetly add some support. Not sure if your set up for an automatic flood system but the last thing you want is to come home to a flooded crib or a burned down home caused by a short circuit.

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Yeah I do not want to come home to a flooded house. that would suck bad.

8 lbs/gallon of flood + plant & media weight. My 4x2 with 12 plants is probably 100lbs when flooded with 5-7 gallons.

i have a turbogarden ebb & flow and it has a slight sag when full how ever its only 2'by3' and maybe 5 gal full (tray) and im not concerned how ever if it distorting off its base you may want to support it

StoneDef {RER} said:

I have a 3' x 3' American Hydroponic and I have 24 6" x 6" cubes and it is filled to the max. THe center of the tray really sags and when I flood the tray the water really makes the center come down more. Is this normal and should I worry about it breaking? IT looks like good plastic. I realize now that I should of put supports under the tray in the center. I guess I plan to do that when this grow is over. Am I safe??

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I had the same problem in my 4x4 tray - the sag was so bad that there was a decent amount of standing water in the middle of the tray after it had "drained".

To fix it, just bought some 4x4s and built a stand for the middle - works like a fugging charm.

First pick is before I inserted the support; after the support, it really, really works well.

Wow, I use a 3x3 tray and I fill it with hydroton completely. When I fill it with water and plants, it's a heavy son of a bitch.

What are you currently holding the tray up with? Would it be easy to just run 2x4's between the tray and whatever your supports are to strengthen the center. When it's drained it shouldn't be too hard to slide something under it that is stronger. It would seriously be unbelievably shitty if your entire reservoir drained out into your room. Believe me, I've been very, very close to that scenario and I live on the 2nd floor, so I almost super careful about it.