4x6 Grow Trays & Flood Tables
4x6 hydroponic grow trays provide a 24-square-foot growing surface -- one of the larger standard flood table sizes, used in commercial ebb-and-flow systems and high-volume drain-to-waste setups. The 4x6 footprint accommodates a full 4x4 growing zone with extended length for additional plant sites or irrigation manifold space along one edge, and fits under two large LED or CMH fixtures side by side. Botanicare produces the 4x6 OD Grow Tray in black ABS as the primary option in this size at Hydrobuilder.
Applications
The 4x6 format is used in commercial greenhouse benches and large indoor production rooms where maximizing growing surface per tray position is the goal. For ebb-and-flow applications, the larger tray volume requires a correspondingly sized reservoir and pump -- a 4x6 tray flooded to 1.5 inches holds approximately 27-30 gallons, so a reservoir of at least 50-60 gallons is appropriate for comfortable operating margins. For drain-to-waste drip systems, the 4x6 tray functions as a collection surface for runoff from container or slab growing above.
Stand and Drainage
A matching tray stand elevates the 4x6 for gravity drainage to a below-tray reservoir. Due to the weight of a fully loaded 4x6 tray (plants, media, and retained irrigation water can exceed 200 lbs in a fully planted setup), verify stand weight ratings before loading. Browse all grow trays and flood tables including 3x6 and 4x8 sizes. Fast shipping.
4x6 Grow Trays FAQ
How many plants fit in a 4x6 grow tray?
Plant count depends on container size and training method. In 1-gallon containers, a 4x6 tray holds 20-30 plants. In 3-gallon containers, 12-16 plants. In 5-gallon containers, 8-12 plants. In 7-gallon containers, 6-8 plants. For SCROG training where each plant fills a larger canopy footprint, 4-6 plants in 5-7 gallon containers is a common configuration. For rockwool slab growing, a 4x6 tray accommodates 4-6 large slabs depending on slab width. Container and slab spacing affects both plant count and irrigation management -- adequate spacing between containers ensures uniform irrigation coverage across the full tray area.
What pump do I need for a 4x6 ebb-and-flow system?
A 4x6 flood tray filled to 1.5 inches holds approximately 27-30 gallons. Your pump must move this volume to flood the tray within your target flood cycle time -- typically 5-15 minutes for ebb-and-flow systems. A 500-700 GPH pump at the required head height (vertical distance from reservoir to tray inlet) handles a 4x6 flood cycle comfortably. Account for head pressure: a pump rated 600 GPH at zero head may only deliver 300-400 GPH at 3 feet of vertical lift. Use our Pump & Irrigation Flow Rate Calculator to size your pump accurately.
What grow lights cover a 4x6 tray?
A 4x6 tray footprint is best served by two side-by-side fixtures rather than a single light, as most LED and CMH fixtures are optimized for square coverage patterns (4x4, 5x5). Two 400-600W LEDs or two 315-630W CMH fixtures positioned along the 6-foot length provide more uniform coverage than a single large fixture centered over the 4x6 area. For commercial builds, call 888-815-9763 to discuss fixture layout and PPFD mapping for your specific setup.
