Aquaponics System, Passive Solar Greenhouse build

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Yesterday’s tomatoes.

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I just got back from Charlotte NC where I picked up my polycarbonate. For the 1/2 the front wall and the front roof.
The crate charge is $125-$150 shipping is $175-$200 I saved $300-$350 picking it up in person. It was worth the drive. It is about 2 hours one way.



I just got my profile pieces and my galvanized rubber washer/screws.

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I did some work on the greenhouse after work today. I installed the 4 2x6 plus OSB between them. They will hold up the ridge beam that will be 2 2x10 with plywood between them.

These reclaimed treated 2x6’s are very solid but they have big staples in them that I have to remove. This is time consuming worth it for the cost savings but still takes some time to get it done.

I have the bottom treated 2x6 cut for the front wall and the staples removed.

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Today’s tomatoes.


I added 6” screws to the wood that will hold up the ridge beam the will bond together all those boards.
I put in some 6” screws into the bottom wall boards into the foundation boards.

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Having to build over the grow beds means I need to paint the lumber before I put it up. I can’t paint over top my grow beds.
The front wall lumber painted and the rafter’s wood picked up. I need to paint this wood this weekend.

The wood is painted white to help spread the light around more.

I used exterior paint because it will have plenty of condensation on it.

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We had a cross country track meet in the morning but when we got home we went to work.
Front wall up and back rafters ¾ painted.
They got a few plants planted.

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I had to mostly work on other stuff yesterday. But I was able to make some progress. I now have the back rafters painted and the front rafters ¾ painted.

(Monday) - I finished painting the roof trusses and I painted the ridge beam.





Here is a picture of the tomatoes that are still on the way.




Here is yesterday’s tomato hull.

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A couple things that is working out well. The tomatoes are coming every day but at a slow enough pace we are able to eat them.

Before when we did square foot gardening all the tomatoes would come almost at once. Then they were done you needed to give them away or can them. We did some of both.

This is much better and all my neighbors’ gardens are done but ours is still going. My stopped by a couple days ago and was amazed we were still getting tomatoes. He just added 4 chickens for fresh eggs.

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Where the front wall goes against the foundation I cut some treated lumber at an angle. Then I used 6” structural screws to hold it all down.

I cut the plywood the will go between the 2 x 10 double ridge beam. I have 3” ¼ structural screws coming tomorrow to I will glue and use these structural screws to hold it all together.

I put up a 12” piece of double 2 x 10 with plywood so I can test fit a couple rafters.

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I did the blocking on the front wall. Everything under the blocking will be vents.



I used the metal stands that will be used for the back beds for a make shift scaffold. I will need this to help get the ridge beam up there.






Next up is some temp diagonal bracing on the front wall. Then cut a few rafters so I have them ready for the ridge beam.
I need to build the ridge beam.