Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need besides the AutoPot Auto3 XL tray system?
A reservoir, a growing medium, nutrients and your plants. The tray, lid, AQUAvalve5, three 25L pots, a metre of 9mm pipe and the small fittings are all in the box, but there is no tank. AutoPot's minimum for a single Auto3 XL is a 50L FlexiTank. Pick a free-draining medium such as coco or a soil and perlite mix, and steer clear of thick organic feeds that could clog the valve.
Does the AutoPot Auto3 XL need a pump or electricity?
No. It is gravity fed, so there is no pump, timer or plug to worry about. The single AQUAvalve5 tops the tray up from your tank as the plants drink, and because gravity does the work, the tank needs to sit higher than the tray.
How do I connect more than one Auto3 XL tray to one tank?
Run pipe from the one tank to the AQUAvalve5 on each tray. AutoPot's minimum tank sizes are 50L for 1 tray, 100L for 2, 225L for 4, 400L for 8 and 750L for 10. Only 1m of 9mm pipe comes with each tray, so you will need extra pipe and the right connectors for your layout (16mm is the other pipe size AutoPot lists). Our AutoPot pipe and fittings are linked on this page.
What size plants suit the Auto3 XL's 25L pots?
Larger plants that want plenty of root room over a full run. Each pot holds 25 litres of medium, which is a lot of space. For smaller plants, or more of them under one light, the Auto8 tray with eight 8.5L or 15L pots may suit you better.
Which valve does the Auto3 XL use?
The AQUAvalve5, one per tray. It feeds all three pots because they share the tray, and it connects with 9mm pipe through the 9mm top hat grommet. A spare AQUAvalve5 is sold separately.
What grow space does the Auto3 XL suit?
AutoPot recommends it for 1.2m x 1.2m, 2m x 2m, 2.4m x 1.2m, 2.4m x 2.4m and 3m x 3m spaces. The tray and lid footprint is 114.5cm x 38.5cm, so it also sits happily on racks and rolling tables.
Description
The AutoPot Auto3 XL Tray System is a power-free, gravity-fed watering tray that feeds three 25L XL pots from one tray and one AQUAvalve5. It is for growers who want big plants, a tighter footprint and less faff than running three separate XL trays, and who are happy to feed it from a tank (not included). The pots, valve, pipe and fittings are all in the box.
There is nothing to plug in and nothing to programme. The plants drink the nutrient solution in the tray and the AQUAvalve5 tops it back up from your tank. AutoPot says it draws no more water than three single XL trays, with fewer parts to look after, and the moulded base keeps standing water down while the lid blocks light and debris.
AutoPot Auto3 XL Tray System Specifications
| Spec | AutoPot Auto3 XL |
|---|---|
| Pots | 3 x 25L solid XL pots (included) |
| Tray and lid footprint | 114.5cm x 38.5cm |
| Valve | 1 x AQUAvalve5 feeds all three pots |
| Power | None, gravity fed |
| Pipe sizes in the AutoPot system | 9mm (9mm outside, 7mm inside) and 16mm (16mm outside, 13mm inside). Only 1m of 9mm is in the box. |
| Reservoir | Not included. AutoPot's minimum for one tray is a 50L FlexiTank. |
| Substrate | Not included |
| Recommended grow spaces (AutoPot) | 1.2m x 1.2m, 2m x 2m, 2.4m x 1.2m, 2.4m x 2.4m, 3m x 3m |
You need a tank, and it is not in the box. AutoPot's minimum for one Auto3 XL is a 50L FlexiTank. We'd reach for the AutoPot Flexitank With Tap (tap already fitted), or the AutoPot PRO FlexiTank for bigger set-ups. Need a spare tap? Grab a Flexi Tank Tap.
What's Inside the AutoPot Auto3 XL Tray System
| Part | Qty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Auto3 XL tray | 1 | Moulded base, three pot positions |
| Auto3 XL lid | 1 | Blocks light and debris |
| Round blue access cover | 1 | Small, easy to lose, keep it with the tray |
| AQUAvalve5 | 1 | Tops the tray up from your tank |
| AQUAvalve cover | 1 | Small part, keep it |
| 9mm top hat grommet | 1 | For the 9mm pipe (no longer sold on its own here) |
| 9mm AutoPot pipe | 1m | Enough to get started, you will want more |
| 25L solid XL pot | 3 | Replacement pots sold separately |
| Root control disc (round) | 3 | Thin and flat, easy to overlook |
In the Box
Everything in the table above arrives in one box, and a lot of it is tiny. Before you bin the packaging, check for the AQUAvalve5 and its cover, the round blue access cover, the 9mm top hat grommet, the metre of 9mm pipe and the three root control discs. Not in the box: a tank, growing medium, nutrients, and extra pipe or connectors.
Tank Sizes for Running More Than One AutoPot Auto3 XL
| Number of Auto3 XL trays | AutoPot minimum reservoir |
|---|---|
| 1 | FlexiTank 50L |
| 2 | FlexiTank or PRO FlexiTank 100L |
| 4 | FlexiTank or PRO FlexiTank 225L |
| 8 | FlexiTank or PRO FlexiTank 400L |
| 10 | FlexiTank 750L |
Accessories and spares for the AutoPot Auto3 XL:
- Autopot Aqua Valve5: a spare valve
- AutoPot Pipe (9mm blue and 6mm black): more pipe for longer runs
- Autopot PotSock, Round for XL Pot
- Autopot Replacement 25L (1XL) Pot
- AutoPot AirBase and Autopot Air Dome for the bottom of the pot
- Clear Propagation Lid for 25L Pots
More AutoPot tray and pot systems:
- AutoPot Auto3 XL SmartPot Tray System: the same tray with three 20L fabric pots
- AutoPot Auto8 15L Tray System and AutoPot Auto8 8.5L Tray System: eight pots on one tray
- Autopot Complete System, 25L XL Pots: single pots with a tank
- AutoPot XL FlexiPot System and AutoPot XXL System
AutoPot Auto3 XL Tray System FAQ
What do I need besides the AutoPot Auto3 XL tray system?
A reservoir, a growing medium, nutrients and your plants. The tray, lid, AQUAvalve5, three 25L pots, a metre of 9mm pipe and the small fittings are all in the box, but there is no tank. AutoPot's minimum for a single Auto3 XL is a 50L FlexiTank. Pick a free-draining medium such as coco or a soil and perlite mix, and steer clear of thick organic feeds that could clog the valve.
Does the AutoPot Auto3 XL need a pump or electricity?
No. It is gravity fed, so there is no pump, timer or plug to worry about. The single AQUAvalve5 tops the tray up from your tank as the plants drink, and because gravity does the work, the tank needs to sit higher than the tray.
How do I connect more than one Auto3 XL tray to one tank?
Run pipe from the one tank to the AQUAvalve5 on each tray. AutoPot's minimum tank sizes are 50L for 1 tray, 100L for 2, 225L for 4, 400L for 8 and 750L for 10. Only 1m of 9mm pipe comes with each tray, so you will need extra pipe and the right connectors for your layout (16mm is the other pipe size AutoPot lists). Our AutoPot pipe and fittings are in the AutoPot Systems collection.
What size plants suit the Auto3 XL's 25L pots?
Larger plants that want plenty of root room over a full run. Each pot holds 25 litres of medium, which is a lot of space. For smaller plants, or more of them under one light, the Auto8 tray with eight 8.5L or 15L pots may suit you better.
Which valve does the Auto3 XL use?
The AQUAvalve5, one per tray. It feeds all three pots because they share the tray, and it connects with 9mm pipe through the 9mm top hat grommet. A spare AQUAvalve5 is sold separately.
What grow space does the Auto3 XL suit?
AutoPot recommends it for 1.2m x 1.2m, 2m x 2m, 2.4m x 1.2m, 2.4m x 2.4m and 3m x 3m spaces. The tray and lid footprint is 114.5cm x 38.5cm, so it also sits happily on racks and rolling tables.
Browse more: AutoPot Systems, Gravity-Fed Systems and Grow Room Irrigation Systems.
