Register  |   | 
 
Encanto Farms Nursery > Topics > Eggcrate / drain for bottom of humidity bin
 
 


Reply
  Author   Comment  
adipose

Registered:
Posts: 158
Posted Reply with quote  #1 
I have seen people on the forum with pics of a grid-like material at the bottom of their humidity bins.  I've been using a cookie rack which works fairly well, but it doesn't always sit nicely and isn't exactly the dimensions of my bin.  I went into a hardware store and struck out.  On ebay and google I had no idea what to search for, looking for "grid," "grate," "plastic drain," "drain grate," etc.  Finally, I found the magic phrase that gave me a lot of results that looked like the grid I wanted: "eggcrate."

On homedepot.com (it is also on lowe's), I searched for "eggcrate" and found this link: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Plaskolite-4-ft-x-2-ft-Suspended-Light-Ceiling-Panel-1199233A/202025149

Interestingly, this is a lighting panel shelf, but it seems to do the trick for fairly cheap. It could stand to be a bit thicker, but at .375 inches it should work ok.

I was able to cut 3 full size sheets for the bottom of a sterilite bin (about 19" x 13").  The remaining parts were enough for a 4th bin, albeit in two pieces. In the image, the blue represent the full size pieces and the red represents the two-part pieces.  The plastic is very brittle and tends to shatter as you cut through it with heavy duty shears (watch the eyes).  Even scissors would probably do it.

I suspect that this lighting panel is not what some others have used, but it was all I could find other than some overpriced fiberglass grating ($200-$300).  If you have a better source, feel free to chime in.  Hopefully this saves someone else some time looking around!

eggcrate1.png 
eggcrate2.png 

eggcrate3.png 

__________________
Wish List: sbayi, hmari, niagara black, black ischia
DaveL

Registered:
Posts: 247
Posted Reply with quote  #2 
That what I used.
__________________
Dave
Waterford, Ct. Zone 6B
Rewton

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,946
Posted Reply with quote  #3 
I found a wire mesh rack of a good size that is meant for cooling off baked goods (like cookies) I think.  But the material you found looks even better so thanks for posting.
__________________
Steve MD zone 7a
Bluemalibu

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 230
Posted Reply with quote  #4 

  I had a large stack of mesh trays that nurseries use to deliver 6-pack seedlings.  Upside-down, these worked perfect.
__________________
Ebay:  Bluemalibu

NorCal, 9B - Fig Heaven. No fog, no snow; just lots of sunshine!
sbmohan

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 223
Posted Reply with quote  #5 
I use Aluminum diamond lath from Home Depot or Lowes. You will need a metal shears to cut them into correct size. I use them for my SIP bottom support as well on top of PVC pipes and under the burlap before I fill the potting mix.
__________________
Mohan B
Harrisburg, NC - Zone 7a
71GTO

Registered:
Posts: 1,002
Posted Reply with quote  #6 
I use the egg crate as well.
__________________
NJ z7a

Wish list :
coop951

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 596
Posted Reply with quote  #7 
I cut up an old milk crate. The plastic crates make great platforms with excellent  drainage. Easy to cut with a jig saw or circular saw, and are usually free!!
__________________
Coop  
Northern NJ Zone 7a
tyro

Registered:
Posts: 230
Posted Reply with quote  #8 
Bumping this,my local HD is closing out this egg crate louver @$3.33.At that price I picked up a couple.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Plaskolite-4-ft-x-2-ft-Suspended-Light-Ceiling-Panel-1199233A/202025149?AID=11210757&PID=6147007&SID=ijc0ie8v340009xy001rw&cm_mmc=CJ-_-6147007-_-11210757&cj=true
__________________
Paul.Simi Valley,Ca.Zone 9a/Sunset 18
adipose

Registered:
Posts: 158
Posted Reply with quote  #9 
Ha, that is a good deal! Glad you grabbed some.
__________________
Wish List: sbayi, hmari, niagara black, black ischia
Previous Topic | Next Topic
Print
Reply