Aquaponics System, Passive Solar Greenhouse build

[pinballlooking]

@Jeff that sounds like a pretty cool greenhouse build.
Post a picture if you still have one.

This book was recommended to me by the guys building passive solar greenhouses.
It is not in print anymore but Amazon had it used.
There is some very good information in this book.



Some libraries have this book but ours did not have it.

[pinballlooking]

Here are a couple plant pictures.






I found some old treated reclaimed lumber. 2”, 2 ½” and 3” x 6 that I can get 40 cents a board foot.
That might work nicely in my green house.

[pinballlooking]

The next crop is growing pretty well.

[jeff5may]

That greenhouse was built close to 30 years ago. I imagine it was torn down in haste by whoever bought the house when my parents moved to ky. Purely function over fashion.

When they moved to where they lived now, we built a 20x10 greenhouse between the barn and their home. I moved into the property next door before they did. It was sized for a 20x20 sheet of film to stretch right over. I landscaped both properties for next to nothing by propagating perennials and shrubs in it. The thing paid for itself the first grow season. Just go to any nursery and price 150 of a variety or two, and you'll understand. Just the sedum and daylilies paid for it. The hibiscus and ornamental grasses were the first bonus.

Last round, my dad decided to go cheap and get some blue hawk film from home despot, rather than mail ordering the real stuff. That fall, we got some stiff wind with hail. The cold plastic didn't stand a chance. It was pummeled and ripped to shreds in an hour. And it sits that way today. Now it houses leftover machinery.Popo (grandpa nickname) is still to cheap to cover it.

The garden suffers a similar fate. I believe the deer and coons are eating more vegetables than they are.

bush beans naturally mowed

pole beans devoured


ripe tomatoes litter the ground, rotting


Even with all the devastating mayhem, I have harvested close to 100 gallons of tomatoes and peppers from the garden this year. People who took freebies last month are now turning them down.


The cherry tomato at my place has been nailed to the fence after being toppled by thunderstorms one too many times. Still producing, though.



Petunias are being weed whacked by the groundskeeping crew. Thanks, guys.

[pinballlooking]

I just called the EPS foam plant sales guy that is about an hour away. I am going to be able to get 5.2” 4’ x 9’ sheets that will give me a R20 value for my green house. These sheet will cost me about $30 each.

I will put on OSB then a sealing roof membrane over that then the EPS foam, nailers metal on the outside of the wall.
Going for the perfect will design.

[pinballlooking]

Every day now we get a small bunch of tomatoes.

I wish I had Lettuce to go with them maybe next time.

[pinballlooking]

I have a deal brewing for reclaimed lumber and blue XPS foam insulation.
55 2” x 4” x 16’
50 2” x 6” x 12’
6 2” x 8” x 12’

All the 2” 4’ X 14’ blue foam insulation I can get on my trailer. $300 for the wood and insulation.

I am all set to pick it up on Sat. He is sending me pictures tomorrow. It is a 2 hour drive one way but I can’t pass it up if the pictures look good. The wood was once used in trusses from a turkey barn.
This would be enough wood for the all the framing and all the insulation I would need. I sure hope it works out.

[pinballlooking]

I made it back safe and sound. We ended up with
55 2x4 x16’
8 2x8x16’
18 2x6x16’
50 14’ XPS foam insulation. I got basically what my trailer could safely hold.
He was getting low on 2x6's
$300 total cost. I think it was worth the drive.
It is a very good hull of reclaimed items for my greenhouse build.

[creeky]

great project.

and is there any feeling better than getting home with a trailer stacked high with salvaged materials for the next build? nice one.

[pinballlooking]

Thanks it does feel good to save all those materials. He told me what he does not sell he will just burn if it does not sell soon.


I bought 2 rolls of this Ice & Water Shield 225 sq. ft. Roll Roofing Underlayment


One roll of this Select 36 in. x 195 sq. ft. Roll Roofing Underlayment.



The blue foam insulation I got is 7.5 R per sheet I and going to put three layers on everywhere that will not have windows / glazing. It will go on the outside of the building after the Roll Roofing Underlayment. Like this
http://ecorenovator.org/forum/46012-post234.html
The main beam will be 24’ long and I will make out of the 2x8 that I got yesterday. They will be doubled with plywood between them glued and nailed together. I will have one support post in the center of the greenhouse and the two on the ends. It will be supported every 12’.