Aquaponics System, Passive Solar Greenhouse build - Page 24

pinballlooking · 07-17-15, 11:29 AM

The other day I bought two different kinds of tomato tie ups.
The yellow one seemed like a great idea it keeps spring tension on the plant. As the plant grows it just winds up.

These were $10.90 shipped and I would not get these again.

It is really too much tension they wear spots on the plant.

I did some more research and saw where real greenhouses used these clips and hangers.
I installed them yesterday and they seem much better. As the plant grows you just add more clips.

I have replaces all but maybe one or of the yellow hangers.

These are only $12 shipped on ebay for 250

these are around $1 each + shipping

pinballlooking · 07-20-15, 09:54 AM

We had a bad storm come through. Lots of lighting and strong wind. I was able to get the chickens in the barn but the lighting was too bad to take the roof covering off the fish tank. It blew off and ripped but it is still usable the frame stayed stable. I think a couple of the tomatoes may not make it. But overall we made out pretty good for how bad the storm was.

We have some more cucumbers good thing my boy the big cucumbers eaters are coming back home today.

Daox · 07-20-15, 10:45 AM

Doh, sorry to hear about the damage. When are you planning on putting up the greenhouse?

pinballlooking · 07-20-15, 11:22 AM

I would like to get started now. But I have a new contract with a very big client. They keep adding stuff to be done. I have a company with one employee just me.

It looks like maybe the end of September.

I have been thinking a lot about the greenhouse design.
I am thinking about making it a kind of pole building. But putting sheathing on it and using the perfect wall design. This is for the back and side walls and ½ the roof.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8i-93ABo3I

Getting Insulation Out of Your Walls and Ceilings | GreenBuildingAdvisor.com

I found a manual on this.
REMOTE: A Manual | the Cold Climate Housing Research Center

Using this on top of the sheathing and roof.
Grace Select 36 in. x 195 sq. ft. Roll Roofing Underlayment-5003200 - The Home Depot

Then the insulation will go on the outside wall. The metal is on nailers so there is an air space. Someone on here has posted about this setup. It sounds like it would work really well for the greenhouse.

Is was going to use this design.
Passive Solar Greenhouse | Bradford Research Center
But my front grow bed needs at least 8’ high before it angles in.

It will look more like a traditional building with the roof being bigger on the south side and solexx on part of the roof on the south side.

The south side and ½ the roof I think I am going to use Solexx. It has a good R value and it defuses the light.
Solexx Greenhouse Covering for Commercial Greenhouses

I want to add a couple auto opening vents for the summer and block them off in the winter.

The south side wall I need to hinge the bottom couple foot so I can open it up during the summer. Then close it in the winter.

I have all the parts for my water heating except the heating coil so this should give me options on what fish I keep and when we will eat the current fish. it is vet free so it will add heat to the greenhouse and CO2 all good side products. (in this case anyway)

I am still going to do the black 55 gallon drums with water in them on the back wall. To help regulate the temp.

With pole building construction I can use my tractor to dig the holes for the post.
I still have to trench in natural gas, power, and automation cables for sensors.
Power I will run a sub panel from my barn this is where the solar comes in anyway.

pinballlooking · 07-21-15, 11:27 AM

Here is a shot of the watermelon these are the smaller ones with no seeds.
Finally broccoli are starting to show up.

pinballlooking · 07-22-15, 09:32 AM

Now that I have some shade I think my lettuce is going to make it.
Once I put up the cattle panel the cucumber has shot up about another 1’ ½.

For reference the wood post are about 4’ ½ high off the top of the grow bed.

pinballlooking · 07-23-15, 08:12 AM

Plants are all happier without the bird netting. They have grown better with the new plant hangers.

Daox · 07-23-15, 08:41 AM

Its looking great!

Have you had any problems with bugs yet?

pinballlooking · 07-23-15, 08:50 AM

I killed about 5 tomato hornworms. All in the same day. Two caterpillars that were eating the tomato plants skin. That is all for the plants. Not one weed to pull.

I have mosquito netting around fish tank but they are getting into the bell siphon. I have the top covered but they are going through top layer of rock to get to the water.

I think it was about June 15 went I got the other fish and they started eating good. So June until now it is just taken off.

My neighbor has a dirt garden and his was doing better than mine in the beginning. Now his is dying off and mine is taken off.

pinballlooking · 07-27-15, 09:41 AM

We were away for the weekend but the garden was fine while we were away. Here are some updated pictures. The growth rate continues to be unreal.

07-17-15, 11:29 AM	#231
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	The other day I bought two different kinds of tomato tie ups. The yellow one seemed like a great idea it keeps spring tension on the plant. As the plant grows it just winds up. These were $10.90 shipped and I would not get these again. It is really too much tension they wear spots on the plant. I did some more research and saw where real greenhouses used these clips and hangers. I installed them yesterday and they seem much better. As the plant grows you just add more clips. I have replaces all but maybe one or of the yellow hangers. These are only $12 shipped on ebay for 250 these are around $1 each + shipping Attached Thumbnails

07-20-15, 09:54 AM	#232
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	We had a bad storm come through. Lots of lighting and strong wind. I was able to get the chickens in the barn but the lighting was too bad to take the roof covering off the fish tank. It blew off and ripped but it is still usable the frame stayed stable. I think a couple of the tomatoes may not make it. But overall we made out pretty good for how bad the storm was. We have some more cucumbers good thing my boy the big cucumbers eaters are coming back home today. Attached Thumbnails

07-20-15, 10:45 AM	#233
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Doh, sorry to hear about the damage. When are you planning on putting up the greenhouse? __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-21-15, 11:27 AM	#235
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	Here is a shot of the watermelon these are the smaller ones with no seeds. Finally broccoli are starting to show up. Attached Thumbnails

07-22-15, 09:32 AM	#236
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	Now that I have some shade I think my lettuce is going to make it. Once I put up the cattle panel the cucumber has shot up about another 1’ ½. For reference the wood post are about 4’ ½ high off the top of the grow bed. Attached Thumbnails

07-23-15, 08:12 AM	#237
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	Plants are all happier without the bird netting. They have grown better with the new plant hangers. Attached Thumbnails

07-23-15, 08:41 AM	#238
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Its looking great! Have you had any problems with bugs yet? __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-23-15, 08:50 AM	#239
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	I killed about 5 tomato hornworms. All in the same day. Two caterpillars that were eating the tomato plants skin. That is all for the plants. Not one weed to pull. I have mosquito netting around fish tank but they are getting into the bell siphon. I have the top covered but they are going through top layer of rock to get to the water. I think it was about June 15 went I got the other fish and they started eating good. So June until now it is just taken off. My neighbor has a dirt garden and his was doing better than mine in the beginning. Now his is dying off and mine is taken off. Last edited by pinballlooking; 07-23-15 at 03:35 PM..

07-27-15, 09:41 AM	#240
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	We were away for the weekend but the garden was fine while we were away. Here are some updated pictures. The growth rate continues to be unreal. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by pinballlooking; 07-27-15 at 10:57 AM..