{"product_id":"nef-tub-grated-45l-black-hydroponic","title":"NEF Tub Grated 45L Black | Hydroponic Drainage \u0026 Root Zone Aeration Insert","description":"\u003cp\u003eRoot health in hydroponics comes down to two things: moisture and oxygen. Too much moisture with too little oxygen and roots suffocate, pathogens move in, and plant performance drops fast. The NEF Grated 45L Black Tub addresses this directly. Where the solid NEF tub holds and contains your nutrient solution, the grated version lets it move. The perforated base allows excess water to drain freely while simultaneously increasing air exchange to the root zone, giving roots the oxygen they need between irrigation cycles.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDesigned for use within modular NEF tub systems, the grated tub sits above the solid reservoir tub, creating a two-layer system where nutrient solution floods up through the grate to saturate the root zone, then drains back down freely when the pump stops. This makes it a natural fit for flood and drain setups, layered grow systems, and any configuration where improved drainage and root oxygenation are priorities. The UV-stabilised black construction matches the NEF solid tub range and holds up across multiple grow cycles in nutrient-rich environments.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHow It Works\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe grated base structure allows nutrient solution to pass through freely in both directions. During a flood cycle, solution rises through the grate to saturate the growing medium and root zone. When the pump stops, gravity pulls the solution back down through the grate and into the reservoir below, leaving the root zone moist but well-drained and exposed to fresh air. This cycle of saturation and drainage is what drives healthy aerobic root development in ebb and flow systems, and the grated tub makes it happen passively without additional components.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Benefits\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrated base for free drainage and airflow.\u003c\/strong\u003e Perforated structure allows nutrient solution to drain completely between cycles, preventing waterlogging and the anaerobic conditions that cause root rot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eImproves root zone oxygen exchange.\u003c\/strong\u003e Open grate design increases air contact with the root zone between irrigation cycles, supporting aerobic root respiration and healthier plant development.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompatible with NEF 45L solid tub systems.\u003c\/strong\u003e Designed to pair with the NEF Solid 45L Tub as a two-layer modular system, with the grated tub sitting above the solid reservoir.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReduces risk of waterlogging.\u003c\/strong\u003e Free-draining base prevents solution from pooling in the root zone, reducing pathogen pressure and improving overall system stability.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDurable UV-stabilised black construction.\u003c\/strong\u003e Heavy-duty injection-moulded plastic built for repeated use in nutrient-rich hydroponic environments.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIdeal for modular and custom system builds.\u003c\/strong\u003e Can be used as a standalone grow tray or integrated into larger multi-tub configurations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eApplications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlood and drain hydroponic grow tray (upper layer)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoot zone aeration improvement in modular systems\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLayered NEF tub hydroponic system builds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIndoor grow room drainage layer setups\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCommercial hydroponic root zone management\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCustom aeroponic hybrid configurations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCapacity.\u003c\/strong\u003e 45 litres (system compatible)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour.\u003c\/strong\u003e Black (UV-stabilised)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial.\u003c\/strong\u003e Heavy-duty UV-stabilised plastic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBase Design.\u003c\/strong\u003e Grated\/perforated for drainage and aeration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFunction.\u003c\/strong\u003e Drainage and root zone aeration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility.\u003c\/strong\u003e NEF 45L solid tub systems\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eApplication.\u003c\/strong\u003e Hydroponics, flood and drain, modular grow systems\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEnvironment.\u003c\/strong\u003e Indoor, greenhouse, commercial systems\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUnit Weight.\u003c\/strong\u003e Approx. 1.2 to 2.0 kg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Bought Together\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe grated tub is designed to work as a system with the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/nef-tub-solid-45l-black-hydroponic\"\u003eNEF Tub Solid 45L Black\u003c\/a\u003e, which sits below as the nutrient reservoir while the grated tub holds your growing medium and root zone above. Power the flood cycle with the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/rio-hf-water-pump-hydroponic-submersible-990-7300-lph-australia\"\u003eRio HF Submersible Water Pump\u003c\/a\u003e placed inside the solid reservoir tub. Add the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/resun-6-outlet-air-pump-1320lph-hydroponic-dwc\"\u003eRESUN 6 Outlet Air Pump\u003c\/a\u003e to aerate the nutrient solution in the reservoir between cycles for maximum dissolved oxygen levels.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"NEF","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43218333401151,"sku":null,"price":69.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0658\/6898\/8479\/files\/Black-Grated_1000x1000_Grey-copy-8-600x600.png?v=1777952531","url":"https:\/\/apexgrow.com.au\/products\/nef-tub-grated-45l-black-hydroponic","provider":"Apex Grow","version":"1.0","type":"link"}