Infinity Tray Rolling Bench Review
Active Aqua Hydroponic Rolling Benches & Trays, Up For the Task?
We are pleased to share our real world growing experience in this Active Aqua Infinity Tray Rolling Bench Review. Our hydroponic greenhouse provides indoor growing year round for a variety of crops. We use supplemental lighting like DE HPS and Ceramic Metal Halide to lengthen days and increase grow light intensity as required seasonally.
During Late Summer months, when our Test Crop of Dwarf Sunflowers (we are testing Fulvic Acid versus a Control) was started, we set up our ActiveAqua Infinity Tray Rolling Bench system.
[quote]Somebody even with just minimal building experience shouldn’t have any issues with the construction following the drawings supplied.[/quote]
To See How the ActiveAqua Drip Tray Rolling Bench System was Assembled CLICK HERE
For our Infinity Tray rolling bench review, we are supporting EIGHTEEN 3 Gallon (#3 RediRoot) containers filled with premium coco coir. A drip system supplies each of the containers with a 4 LPH (litres per hour; roughly one gallon) emitter with EvolutionRO filtered water containing Elite Garden Nutrients A Veg formula and B bloom formula. The nutrient solution is maintained at pH 5.8 and is set up as drain to waste.
For the purposes of our Infinity Tray Rolling Bench review, it’s safe to say there is a significant amount of weight that needs to be supported by the metal framed bench system and plastic tray, especially as the EIGHTEEN #3 pots becomes saturates to run off with nutrient solution during each irrigation cycle.
Above: these Sunflowers were small but hungry; we increased the EC strength and kept the pH at 5.8
We take advantage of the “Floating Aisleway” created by the rolling bench top to conserve space in the greenhouse. This way, we can keep the bench flush against the end wall and roll the top to create a comfortable aisleway between the bench and the end wall to perform tasks like checking emitters, taking measurements, routine inspection, etc. For larger scale operations, this can add up to big gains in crop production while keeping the same operating costs.
So How Did the Rolling Bench System Work Out?
Without issue, we have found it to do a great job of supporting the crop load while rolling the bench top to either side of the centre position easily. The bench is very stable, both when stationary and when rolled to either side. While we don’t recommend it, we even stood on top of the bench. As you can see from the photos, it did not damage or buckle.
The rolling bench system arrives as as surprisingly compact package for easy transport, however, that means some labour and time is required for assembly. All in all, it goes together pretty smooth with a minimal of tools required. Somebody even with just minimal building experience shouldn’t have any issues with the construction following the drawings supplied.
During our Infinity Tray rolling review we have occasionally spilled nutrient solution onto the metal components, and evidently the galvanized construction has not discolored or corroded etc from the slightly acidic and saline nature of the nutrient solution that feeds our hydroponic dwarf sunflowers.
Overall, we rank the system as a good value–especially for what the tidy package can save on shipping versus traditional rolling bench systems from decades ago. The labor for assembly isn’t too bad, especially if done with two persons on more than one system; the trade off in shipping savings is substantially favorable in our opinion.
What About the Infinity Tray?
Even in direct sunlight with summer intensities we have not observed any discoloration, flaking or brittleness in the plastic trays joined together with a special adhesive during our Infinity Tray rolling bench review. Further, the joint where the two, four foot by four foot portions slide together in an overlap and that are secured with a non toxic adhesive are holding up water tight, even while supporting the full weight of the crop load and an unplanned walk-on by the grower.
The system works; the “Infinity” concept of the trays has proven sound during our testing. This allows more compact transport of drip or flood trays, as the ActiveAqua Infinity Trays come in four foot long sections that can be joined to any practical working length.
Further, we like the white plastic versus black, as during summer months it does not heat up, not cooking roots and reflects some light back up to the plants when they are young enough that the canopy isn’t shading the table.
Overall Rating: 4/5
We Like:
Durability; withstand rugged real world day to day hydroponic use under full crop load
Compact package; we don’t like paying more than we have to for shipping, ie no oversized items
Clean and aesthetically pleasing; a well thought out design using minimal weight components for maximum support capabilities
Any practical length is possible; want a 32′ long drip tray; no problem, get 8 tray sections and assemble in less than one hour, including rolling bench support
Not So Much:
Assembly, while we favor this over paying shipping costs, nonetheless.
