1x8 Flood Tables & Grow Trays
The 1x8 ft grow tray (12x96 inches) is the longest single-run narrow tray format - providing 8 sq ft of growing surface in a format suited to propagation benches, narrow production aisles, and long shelf units where the full 8-foot length can be put to use without the tray being wider than 12 inches. At this size, the 1x8 is primarily a utility tray: a long propagation surface for seedling inserts under a T5 bar, a catch tray for drainage from a row of containers along a narrow bench, or a compact ebb and flow platform for a single row of small containers in a tight space.
Applications & Setup
For ebb and flow use, a 1x8 ft tray at 1-inch flood depth holds approximately 4.5 gallons. Position the flood inlet at one end and the overflow fitting at the opposite end to promote even solution distribution along the 8-foot length before the overflow height is reached - the same inlet-at-one-end rule that applies to 2x8 ft trays. A 100-150 GPH submersible pump fills the tray in 2-3 minutes. As a passive drainage catch tray under hand- or drip-irrigated containers, the 1x8 works on any standard bench or shelf without a reservoir or pump. Browse the full grow trays collection for all sizes.
Sizing Context
The 1x8 is the elongated sibling of the 1x4 ft tray - double the length at the same 12-inch width. For growers needing more capacity in the same narrow format, two 1x4 trays provide the same total area as one 1x8 with the flexibility of independent scheduling. Fast shipping.
1x8 Flood Tables FAQ
What is a 1x8 flood table used for?
A 1x8 ft flood table provides a long, narrow 8 sq ft growing surface used for ebb and flow irrigation, propagation bench drainage collection, and passive catch tray applications under drip-irrigated container rows. The 12-inch width limits container size to approximately 6-inch diameter with single-row placement, making it best suited for small containers, seedling propagation inserts, and herb or greens production rather than large-container flowering programs.
How many plants fit in a 1x8 tray?
A 1x8 ft tray (12x96 inches) fits: 6-10 plants in 3-4 inch containers in a single row along the 8-foot length; a full-length row of standard 10x20 seedling flat inserts for propagation; or 16-24 small 2-3 inch pots in two tight rows. The 12-inch width supports only single-file container rows at standard 6-inch container sizes - for two-row configurations, the containers must be under 5 inches in diameter.
What pump and reservoir size do I need for a 1x8 ebb and flow system?
A 1x8 tray at 1-inch flood depth holds approximately 4.5 gallons. A 5-7 gallon reservoir provides comfortable working volume above the flood displacement. A 100-150 GPH pump fills the tray in 2-3 minutes at typical installation head heights. Use a standard 1/2-inch flood and drain fitting kit (same as other tray sizes) with the drain fitting positioned at the far end from the pump inlet for the most even solution distribution across the 8-foot run.
Is a 1x8 tray better than two 1x4 trays?
One 1x8 tray is simpler to manage as a single irrigation zone - one pump, one timer, one reservoir floods the full 8-foot run simultaneously. Two 1x4 trays allow independent scheduling per zone, which is useful if different plants in each tray need different irrigation frequencies. For most programs where irrigation frequency is uniform across the bench, the 1x8 is simpler. For mixed-stage programs or situations where flexibility to adjust per-zone irrigation is important, two 1x4 trays with independent setups provide more control.
Do 1x8 trays need a stand?
A stand is optional but recommended if you want gravity drainage back to a reservoir positioned underneath. The 1x8 is long and relatively narrow, so an appropriate stand must support the full 8-foot length without allowing the tray to bow under container load - use a stand rated for the tray size or a sturdy bench with full-length support. Elevating the tray 12-18 inches allows a reservoir and pump to sit underneath for passive gravity drain return after each flood cycle.
