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Wintery climate: Totally indoors or Greenhouse
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Author:  gilpin [ Sep 11th, '14, 01:10 ]
Post subject:  Wintery climate: Totally indoors or Greenhouse
Hello!

I'm new to this forum and I dig all the info shared here. I'm in the process of planning out a AP setup that will be about 25'X40'. The climate here gets cold in the winter and the sun sets at around 5pm. In the summer the growing conditions are GREAT. My question is this:

Is it more energy efficient to heat (and supplement light) a greenhouse through the winter OR put up a pole barn and use grow lights all year? I'm working on figuring out power supply. In floor (radiant) Pex heating and Solar power seem good, but is it all necessary? :think:

Thanks Aquaponics Pros!
Author:  Colum Black-Byron [ Sep 11th, '14, 05:48 ]
Post subject:  Re: Wintery climate: Totally indoors or Greenhouse
I'd say a well insulated greenhouse would be the way to go.

If you need to light it year round, the bills are going to be huge. At least with heating it, you can build a rocket mass heater which will keep costs down, and when the sun comes out, you can use it.

Ask around at gardening places, I'm sure the locals know better that us what works with gardening over winter. The coldest my winter got was 2C.
Author:  keith [ Sep 11th, '14, 07:17 ]
Post subject:  Re: Wintery climate: Totally indoors or Greenhouse
i'm in northeast ohio.. so the weather is pretty relatable
there was a guy on here a while back from ohio that had a double walled tunnel, worked through most of the winter until he had a power failure.. i don't think he's doing ap anymore.. stick with "local" fish - yellow perch can handle the cool water, and with good oxygen will make it though mid 80's before starting to stress..
i grow for personal use indoors, and use 32watt, t8 shop lights, i can usually find a 4' two bulb fixture for about $10, and i've grown plenty of greens, and spices.. i've tried lots of stuff so far, things like kale and chard grew incredible well
Author:  Colum Black-Byron [ Sep 11th, '14, 07:49 ]
Post subject:  Re: Wintery climate: Totally indoors or Greenhouse
Another option is to house the FT indoors, or somewhere insulated, and keep the plants in a separate greenhouse. Heat the FT room alone if needed (far cheaper), and design it (more RAS style) so you can shut off the growing areas if the weather gets too cold, overnight, or know a super cold snap is coming. DWC or constant flood will be your friends there.

And grow fish that can handle the weather. Maybe trout in the winter, switch to tilapia in the summer. Both have a 6 month growing period. Or find a fish that can handle the extremes of both seasons (but will be slower growing).
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