Indoor drainage tray setup

[MCSchrum]

I grow my orchids indoors, under lights, on a steel wire shelving unit. On the shelves, underneath my orchids, I've constructed drainage trays from Sterilite plastic storage boxes, panels of egg crate louvers for fluorescent lights, and sections of pvc pipe. I'm sure most of you are familiar with this sort of setup. It allows me to water my plants indoors with a handheld sprayer without having to move the plants to the sink or the bathtub. After water I can just siphon the excess water from the tray into a bucket.

The storage boxes that I use are the Sterilite 41 quart underbed storage box. It's dimension are 34 7/8" L x 16 5/8" W x 6 1/8" H. This fits the my shelving unit nearly perfectly. The shelf's dimensions are approximately 14 W x 36 L x 72 H. So I have virtually 0 wasted space on each shelf. I plan on purchasing a larger wire shelving unit in the near future. The dimension of this unit are 74 H x 48 L x 18 W. I've scoured the internet looking for a storage box or a garden tray that would fit the dimension of the shelves on this new unit 48 x 18, but I haven't found anything yet. I know that many people use shelving units with these dimensions, but I'm not sure what they use for drainage trays. Does anyone have some suggestions?

[wintergirl]

Here is a watertight boot tray on Amazon that is close:
46-1/2" L x 15-1/2" W x 2" D.

Amazon.com : Large Boot Tray : Snow Boot Tray : Patio, Lawn & Garden

[MCSchrum]

Thank you. That looks like a really good option. It's pretty close to the dimensions of the shelves.

[katrina]

I got my boot trays at Gardener's Supply -
Sites-Gardeners-Site
I use the large one for the lower shelves and the jumbo for the top shelf.

All fitted w/drains that I attach hoses and let the extra water drain into buckets.

And because the water never completely drains and I don't want all the plants sitting in shared water...I have lighting louvers (egg crate thingees) cut to fit inside the boot trays.










I don't know how many you need but G.S. offers a bulk discount. I needed A LOT of them + I did my order during one of their flat 3.99 shipping promos so it equated to big savings for me.

[wintergirl]

Nice set up Katrina.

[Oscarman]

Nice tidy set up Katrina. I had something similar using plant seedling trays and now with clear Sterlite bins and black resin shelf unit from Home Depot.

Your drain valves looks great.

[bethmarie]

I've got to do something like this. I've got way too many orchids to keep making the trek to the kitchen sink. Appreciate these ideas, everyone!

[kwubb]

I have used planter trays covered with diffuser one of mine.ni also have homemade shelving where the shelves wooden 3 inch deep trays that I've lined with pond liner. I have a 1 gallon shop vac that is great for removing water. If you find a 2 foot deep cart, hydrofarm makes a nice float table that is 2x4. Ray of First Rays I believe distributes these and can provide you a discount. They are not on his site so you would have to contact him.

[bethmarie]

Originally Posted by MCSchrum

panels of egg crate louvers for fluorescent lights........

Where do you find the egg crate? I thought I'd be able to get it at home depot, but they don't carry it.

[kwubb]

I can't believe Home Depot doesn't carry the egg crate. I've bought mine at both Lowes and Menards. Ask someone in the electrical department. They are called ceiling diffusers. Cost is around $13.00 give or take $1-2.00. They cut pretty easy with a wire cutters.