Can a Coco Nut Find Love in a Walmart Tote (SIP)

Thanks for watchin. Should be interesting. Yes, I'm using the 7.5 gallon. Prolly gonna get a couple of the larger ones and try my hand at growin veggies outdoors

Sour D said:

Thanks for watchin. Should be interesting. Yes, I'm using the 7.5 gallon. Prolly gonna get a couple of the larger ones and try my hand at growin veggies outdoors

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Going to do the same, really looking forward to growing fresh vegetables, the one from the store have little to no flavor.

The 7.5 gallon tote is akin to the the EB jr but with different dimensions... How big are your tents and how many do you feel you can fit into that space? I know that the strain /size / shape of the plant determines a lot, just curious what you’re thoughts are since I am going to be doing the same. Also, great job on cutting out the interior portion on the lid, then shaping it to be your screen for the reservoirs. Nice work!!

**** Did you use 4 tubes to keep grate for the reservoir level? Any pics more from your process? *edit— (Thank you for adding that picture!! You are a badass!!)

Would love to see our good friends @MrOldBoy , @slowandeasy and @Organic Sinse join in and check out your sweet sip and get their feedback.

Cheers SD, good job man!

Slim Piggens said:

Going to do the same, really looking forward to growing fresh vegetables, the one from the store have little to no flavor.

The 7.5 gallon tote is akin to the the EB jr but with different dimensions... How big are your tents and how many do you feel you can fit into that space? I know that the strain /size / shape of the plant determines a lot, just curious what you’re thoughts are since I am going to be doing the same. Also, great job on cutting out the interior portion on the lid, then shaping it to be your screen for the reservoirs. Nice work!!

**** Did you use 4 tubes to keep grate for the reservoir level? Any pics more from your process? *edit— (Thank you for adding that picture!! You are a badass!!)

Would love to see our good friends @MrOldBoy , @slowandeasy and @Organic Sinse join in and check out your sweet sip and get their feedback.

Cheers SD, good job man!

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I'm growing in closets in my rv. 2 of the spaces are a little over 3' x 18" so I'm able to get 3 in each of those which is what I was getting with round pots.
Yes, I used 4 of the. 4" long. The wick tube is 4 3/8" so it protrudes a bit into the soil area.
How many to fit. I guess it depends on how much training you want to do. My "plan" is to keep em within the containers area

Slim Piggens said:

Going to do the same, really looking forward to growing fresh vegetables, the one from the store have little to no flavor.

The 7.5 gallon tote is akin to the the EB jr but with different dimensions... How big are your tents and how many do you feel you can fit into that space? I know that the strain /size / shape of the plant determines a lot, just curious what you’re thoughts are since I am going to be doing the same. Also, great job on cutting out the interior portion on the lid, then shaping it to be your screen for the reservoirs. Nice work!!

**** Did you use 4 tubes to keep grate for the reservoir level? Any pics more from your process? *edit— (Thank you for adding that picture!! You are a badass!!)

Would love to see our good friends @MrOldBoy , @slowandeasy and @Organic Sinse join in and check out your sweet sip and get their feedback.

Cheers SD, good job man!

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I was looking at the same totes, but they are too tall for the purpouse I would use them for. They are a good size otherwise for what I need. Not sure how many wicking pods he has, I would use 2 atleast. The depth is different, so I would maybe even have 3 wicking pods. It is much deeper than the Juniors, so I assume it woukd need more wicking action. I will be following this closely, good luck slow

slowandeasy said:

I was looking at the same totes, but they are too tall for the purpouse I would use them for. They are a good size otherwise for what I need. Not sure how many wicking pods he has, I would use 2 atleast. The depth is different, so I would maybe even have 3 wicking pods. It is much deeper than the Juniors, so I assume it woukd need more wicking action. I will be following this closely, good luck slow

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I was looking at the size in terms of the regular size EB's. My understanding is that if the water and air pockets are too deep, the wicking action won't work properly
They do have a shorter version: Walmart

Sour D said:

I was looking at the size in terms of the regular size EB's. My understanding is that if the water and air pockets are too deep, the wicking action won't work properly
They do have a shorter version: Walmart

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I didnt say deeper. I said you need more wicking pods than 1. Yours is in 1 corner only and you have more soil depth. I woukd be afraid that 1 wicking pod is not enough. For reference EB have 2 and City Pickers have 3 Wicking areas and they are much lower profile containers than your tote. I also was looking at the 10 gal version of your tote. Also, the Garbage bag Lid looks too tight and not easy to top dress. You want to make the Cover easy to tske on and off, yet keep moisture in and pests out. You may top dress over the tote height, so make sure to take that into account. I had a few ideas on how to make the lid easy access. To be honest, the Shower Cap is annoying at times on EB...but it works. Another minor upgrade would be to put a screen over your overflow valve to avoid pests getting in that hole. Gnats seek moisture, so closing off all potential entry points is highly suggested. Good luck, slow

slowandeasy said:

I didnt say deeper. I said you need more wicking pods than 1. Yours is in 1 corner only and you have more soil depth. I woukd be afraid that 1 wicking pod is not enough. For reference EB have 2 and City Pickers have 3 Wicking areas and they are much lower profile containers than your tote. I also was looking at the 10 gal version of your tote. Good luck, slow

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I was basing it on reg EarthBox which is twice as long and has 2 wicks so I figured 1 would suffice. Can't see where 2 would hurt though. Looking at the root/veg unit that has 2 wicks

Talking about different sizes, I tripped across this in my research:

Never thought I'd see the day I knowingly bring worms into the house. with em 3' away from the bed I'll prolly have nightmares of gigantic worms swallowing the bus.

Here's the 3 SIPs and the little girls that will soon be going in them. I had dropped 4 seeds and only 2 came up about a week ago. Dropped another seed and she came right up.


Pulled out the usbscope to do a little investigating and watched as some sort of worm like thing came crawling out.



When I was adjusting the tie on my Pineapple Express, the branch pulled right off. Arrgghh! Stuck it in some clonex and dirt and after 3 days I was gonna toss it. Since it isn't taking up much space nor costing me anything, I left it. She's looking quite well now and I'll probably try her in the bottle sip.

In one box I'm using BuildASoil 3.0, EM1, Malibu compost, BAS Craft Blend, BAS Kashi Blend. Because of the freight cost for BAS soil. in another box I'm using Miracle Gro Organic soil, EM1, EM! Bokashi, Malibu compost. Third container is kind of a mix of the above. All have some red wrigglers

Can't wait to get these girls runnin

And fwiw, I decided to make some big boxes and grow some veggies.

Did you wind up putting more thsn 1 wicking pipe? Just having 1 in a single corner may not be enough. The Juniors have 2 wicking areas in tbe middle. City Pickers has 3 Wicking areas, in eaxh corner. They are bigger than your pipe too. I would use 2 personally in a 7.5 gal. I am not sure how well just 1 smaller area? How high up do you have your drain hole? I see your pvc bases are 4 inches. I had the same idea as you, but with a couple minor differences. I use a cup on top of my Water fill tube to keep potential pests out as well. You might want to cut the lid you have so it can be removed easier when top dressing. Not sure how you have your lid, but once the plants get larger, it becomes harder to access plants. Also, I Highly suggest you only do 2 plants in that space unless they are really small strains. Its ok to start,but in time they will overgrow the space using those sized SIPs will make nice sized plants. Good luck, slow

slowandeasy said:

Did you wind up putting more thsn 1 wicking pipe? Just having 1 in a single corner may not be enough. The Juniors have 2 wicking areas in tbe middle. City Pickers has 3 Wicking areas, in eaxh corner. They are bigger than your pipe too. I would use 2 personally in a 7.5 gal. I am not sure how well just 1 smaller area? How high up do you have your drain hole? I see your pvc bases are 4 inches. I had the same idea as you, but with a couple minor differences. I use a cup on top of my Water fill tube to keep potential pests out as well. You might want to cut the lid you have so it can be removed easier when top dressing. Not sure how you have your lid, but once the plants get larger, it becomes harder to access plants. Also, I Highly suggest you only do 2 plants in that space unless they are really small strains. Its ok to start,but in time they will overgrow the space using those sized SIPs will make nice sized plants. Good luck, slow

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Thanks for the comments!
I figured it couldn't hurt so I went with 2 tubes. My drain hole starts at 3" which gives me appx 1 1/2 gallon reservoir. Good idea on the cup on fill tube. I did find my space is so tight the "locks" on the cover ring are difficult to use but the lid pretty much snaps on without them. I am prepared to make a cover from tarp and bungie cord if need be. I do have a thought on making a slit from the plant to outside edge and use velcro to "zip" it back together. Really shouldnt need to open too often? Thought just top dress monthly? I'm gonna try the 3 containers and keep them trimmed. Top to have 4 main branches and trim off the small stuff. Should be puttin the girls in the next few days. Instead of putting them in the center I may offset them a bit to help with any crowding issues.

Sour D said:

Thanks for the comments!
I figured it couldn't hurt so I went with 2 tubes. My drain hole starts at 3" which gives me appx 1 1/2 gallon reservoir. Good idea on the cup on fill tube. I did find my space is so tight the "locks" on the cover ring are difficult to use but the lid pretty much snaps on without them. I am prepared to make a cover from tarp and bungie cord if need be. I do have a thought on making a slit from the plant to outside edge and use velcro to "zip" it back together. Really shouldnt need to open too often? Thought just top dress monthly? I'm gonna try the 3 containers and keep them trimmed. Top to have 4 main branches and trim off the small stuff. Should be puttin the girls in the next few days. Instead of putting them in the center I may offset them a bit to help with any crowding issues.

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Having them that close is too close for flowering. Trust me, SIPS work good and unless you have small strains I see overgrowing your space almost a given. You will need to train them a little, but toobmuch trsining will only make things worse for crowding. Good luck, I personally would only do 2 in that space. 3 to start is fine. If you have another space available, Id keep it open for a plant later. I have faith in your SIPs and you made the right call by doing 2 of the wicking pipes. They are smaller than normal ones, so 2 should work well. I might do 3 on mine to be honest. 1 in each corner and then the fill tube. That is how City Picckers work. What size pvc pipe did you use? 1 1/2 inch? I was going to use 1 1/2 inch and use 2 or 3 pipes for wicking at that size. Basically in both Earthboxes and City Pickers you have a big handful of soil in each wicking area. So not sure how much 4 inches holds of your pipe? I would guess that 2 pipes would be better than 1 for surely at that size. Dont thiink 1 was enough tbh.

I figured 3 inches for the drain hole if you used 4 inch stands, so good to hear that is about right. Holds approx 11/2 gal? That is perfect for that size. Oh yeah, what did you use to cut your lid to make your rez? Was think a Jig saw might work well. Just seeing how you did it. Will be followinv along fo see how things go. I top dress 2 to 3 times. But you have to imagine your plants all filled out, it can get to be a pain in the ass in small spaces like yours to access the plants to top dress. You know your space better than I do. But easy access for top dressing is something I personally need and want. I cant move my plants around in my space once they get going good. So my goal is to improve acess, yet keep the cover on to keep moisture in and potential.pests out. Good luck, Im gonna make a couple this week. I was going to use 10 gal instead, but 7.5 gal is better sized for some of my tents. Good luck, slow

All the upstands are 2" pipe including the wick pipe. I just used a fresh blade in a razor knife to cut the top. If you hold the top at an angle you can use the "corner" to guide the knife. I did just make one out of the 27 gal one to grow some veggies outside. I had to use a sabre saw for that.
I'm going with some Thai autos in there and my understanding is they grow up more than out. My thinking has been that access shouldn't be too bad as the closet has sliding doors so I have full frontal access. Definitely going to be a learning experience. One of the seedlings has stayed on the small side---maybe I'll stick her in a 2-3 gal pot
Give me a tag when you get yours going. I'd love to follow along.

Sour D said:

All the upstands are 2" pipe including the wick pipe. I just used a fresh blade in a razor knife to cut the top. If you hold the top at an angle you can use the "corner" to guide the knife. I did just make one out of the 27 gal one to grow some veggies outside. I had to use a sabre saw for that.
I'm going with some Thai autos in there and my understanding is they grow up more than out. My thinking has been that access shouldn't be too bad as the closet has sliding doors so I have full frontal access. Definitely going to be a learning experience. One of the seedlings has stayed on the small side---maybe I'll stick her in a 2-3 gal pot
Give me a tag when you get yours going. I'd love to follow along.

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If you off set the plant, it is easier to top dress in a front access space. So youbcan top dress a bigger area vs having to go around the whole plants. You dont want to top dress right next to the stem. In Earthboxes I out my plant more towards the oposite side of feeding tube. Training the plants as needed. But you need to do what is best for your personal needs. Good luck, will be following!! Slow

Thanks for all the info. Version 2.0 I'll probably go with 3" pipe.
For the outside veggies I need to decide on cover or cover crop. Living in Hades,FL I'm afraid the cover might steam the corn b4 it's ready

Plans for a super-size SIP
Super-Size-It

Day 15 and the girls are in their new home. I swear they've already grown in the last 4 hours. Personalities showing already. The one on the right is the neatnik, one in the middle is the slob, and the one on the left is forgetful.

@slowandeasy Thinking of using the 4 gal version--shorter for a vertically challenged space. Do you know how much water the Earthbox JR holds or where the overflow is located? I love this not waking up in the morning and not having to play the mix nutes game