Aquaponics System, Passive Solar Greenhouse build

[pinballlooking]

Interesting thought. This would probably do the job.
Reflectix 48-in x 125-ft Reflective Roll Insulation
Shop Reflectix 48-in x 125-ft Reflective Roll Insulation at Lowes.com
I have the vapor barrier on the outside of the OSB so I would need the Reflective to not be a vapor barrier.
This stuff is perforated so I might work. I wonder if it would be worth it.

[natethebrown]

Originally Posted by Xringer

Those barrels are going to emit IR in all directions.
When you might want to direct the heat forward, and not into the wall.?.

Perhaps a highly reflective surface on the wall behind the barrels will prevent
heating up the wall, and bounce the heat back into the barrels on that side.
Keeping them warm longer and allowing more BTU emission forward.?.

When I installed this under-counter LED, I was able to increase the light on the counter-top work area using foil tape.
I looked for the well lighted areas underneath and slapped on some tape.. It worked great..

Personally, I tend to disagree.
1) White paint is roughly 75% reflective, so fairly low absorption.
2) The water barrels are likely to be relatively low temperature, so the radiative heating will be low.
3) The predominate heating of the green house (from the water barrels) will be through conduction and convection.

If you want to go with a reflective surface for that extra performance, go for it, especially if you don't have any budget constraints.

[pinballlooking]

Good input. Budget is running a little thin for the project at this point. Hopefully I am running out of stuff to add for a while. I have tried to keep the cost in check using craigslist as much as I can.
I have kept track of the cost so later I can include it in this post if there is interest.

[Geo NR Gee]

I saw this article and read that they recommend to add a fungicide to the paint. Amazed to see that Flat White Paint was so reflective.

What reflective materials can I use for my grow room?

[pinballlooking]

Good read on the paint. I just ordered
Krud Kutter MC25012 Di-All Mc-2 Paint Mildewcide Interior/Exterior
Wow white paint does very well.

[pinballlooking]

I worked on the back vents over the weekend. I welded a lot this weekend and cut up a pile of steel.




They will all look like this one.


Next up is 2” foam insulation then an exterior covering. I am thinking about putting white metal on them. They will match the roof.


These will elevate the auto openers to let them open the vents more than they could mounted lower.


I broke down and bought a 10’ foot ladder. Lowers sent me a $20 coupon and I applied it to my new ladder.
I borrowed my brother in law 12’ ladder now I will be able to return it to its rightful owner.

[pinballlooking]

Last night was cold for SC anyway.
I did not get out the greenhouse until 8:40 am it was 60 degrees. Fish water was 62 degrees.
Yesterday was cold and very windy 25 -35 mph winds but it was sunny and 90 in the greenhouse.
I was concerned the plastic will blow off but it held up ok. It was not in the direct path of the wind.

I am not done with the back vents and all my 55 gallon drums are not all in but I am very please how it is performing at this stage.

[pinballlooking]

I have not seen the greenhouse get below 50 F so far.
Down the road I will put in the temp probes I have on hand to install. I will be able to show graphs on how the air temp and the fish water temp changes in the greenhouse.

But even where I am at right now I am pleased.
The last five days the low over night temp has been 32,24,30,28,32 F.
And my fish water is 62 degrees.

Today I painted behind the barrels I am about ½ done. I want to get this painted before I put in the pallet racking that would make it even harder to paint behind them.

[Xringer]

I've been so distracted lately, I haven't been keeping up..
Today, the clouds are rolling in again.. So, my hotwater tank will need to be heated by the grid (heat pump)..
On sunny days during the cold weather, the PV does the whole job. And the heatpump is our back-up..

Does your Greenhouse have a back-up heat source, in case of 20 dark days?

[pinballlooking]

It does not right now but I have a ventless gas hot water heater to install in a closed loop configuration.
Since it is vent free it would also add heat as it heats the fish water. I have a small vent free heater someone gave me to add in also if needed. It is like 10K BTU.