Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Awesome Zsa Zsa!

Hey Zsazsa, I’ve been tracking your progress with the solar greenhouse. You’ve put an incredible amount of work into this project and your enthusiasm is contagious. I’m wondering if, in your research for the structure, you came across these folks: http://www.irisherbal.com/psg/index.html ... I’ve contacted a woman named Cathy from the company about my interest in setting up an AP system and using their plans to build the structure (in Virginia, US). I thought I’d pass along some modifications she said she’d make if she were ever to build one again. So for you’re information, or anyone considering a passive solar greenhouse and possibly using their plans, here’s what she wrote:

1) make the knee wall (the front low wall that anchors the glazing panels to the foundation) cement (whether with block or a monolithic pour). This will increase structural integrity and make a surface less able to rot and mold and move.
2) put the large vents on the side walls up a little higher so that strong winds don't affect the plants so much
3) make the sidewalls post and beam and straw bale...ie., the only place you'd have wood is all the framing for doors, vents, etc. The stucco is painted inside and out, and that is very waterproof.

Keep up the hard work, Zsazsa... (and those temperatures)...

Chris

Hi Christine!

Thx for the kind words. I know Iris Herbal they inspired me with the start. I also see some recomended modifications after one winter, and they kind of match.


- I have a foundation as the GH is dug down.




- They have doors on both end while I have a low door on one side and a wingdow high up on the other side. We are not quite windy here, and I had no problems with ventillation or wind inside.




- I have no problem with the structure so far, I havent painted it (but I will) and I have a heat mirror foil fully covering from the inside. Hummidity is much more problematic because the AP system. In fact thats the biggest problem in winter time.

Im writing an AP + PSGH book in hungarian. Its gonna be a book with details and the basics as free downloadable. As a part I'll put out all blueprints about the GH, the AP, and the datalogger as open source free downloadable (in english and hungarian) and we are planing it before this spring!

After 10 days of hardly any sunshine, we have clear weather again! Its time to for the spring to start.The current water temp is arrond 7C, I hope that it will reach 10C in the next few days, and in a mouth thopefully to 15+C.

It was a good clear day with full sunshine! The system water gained more then 3C today., the thermal wall gained almost 10C!!! Fish, plants, and me are all happy

Spring has kicked in! System water temp is up to 12,5C, while the air temp swings between 11-24C. The growth is visible day by day. The publicity brings a lot of work. Busy weeks behind, and more to come.

great news ! in all cases

Update in english form 3:10

It is very inspiring to read about your progress in this whole thread, including your ups and downs. Congratulations on the success with the passive solar system!

Did you give up on the Wels Catfish, or will you try again? I was thinking about trying Wels Catfish as well, although I might go for African Catfish instead. I think it would be cool with the Wels because they're local fish also where I live, in France. One can get them from some aquaculture places, caught wild, including some fingerlings once per year. But maybe it isn't a great idea if they don't come from an actual hatchery, since it sounds like it might be tricky to get them to eat the right food.

I did the quarterly maintenance today

- I added a plant mesh fully on the back wall and below the roof, so climbers (cucumbers, beans, tomatoes) has a place to go for.
- I planted onions, salads, carrots, horse radish, radish, white kohlrabi, paprika, chilie, beans, haricot, eggplants, cucumbers.
- Cleaned the pump after almost 4 month. It was not durty, CHIFT PIST rules!



Outside it was windy and sunny, but cold. Warm jacket, scarf & cap where recommendend. GH window and door was open and still I was sweating in a single T-shirt inside. Its not spring anymore, its almost summer

Temps when I started (9:40)
system water: 13,50 C
GH air: 22,75 C
Thermal mass: 22,25 C
Outside: 4.75 C

Temps when I finished (12:15)
system water: 14,00 C
GH air: 26,00 C
Thermal mass: 23,00 C
Outside: 8.25 C

@ffunch - No I havent gave up Welsh Catfish, in fact they should be comming hopefully in two weeks African Catfish is an option too, but these wetar temps are not enough for tham. They need 20+ for a decent growth. And almost 30C for best growth while I shold not have more than 20-23C, so they are not ideal for me.

chift pist does rule. Just beware of snails. Snails are terrible with pumps! Their shells block up the impellers. Be very careful what you put in your system....

Great work Zsazsa!

Wow, ZsaZsa, I just read through your whole thread (I actually first read about it in the IBC of AP) and am loving it, you have a very good passion and like me you are one of the first in your area. (I have yet to setup the system, it is in progress, but I love how you interacted with the media)
I think I am a candidate for the CEA Jamboree, I live not very far from Matej in Slovenia (North East of Italy). Have you ever heard from him lately? I PMed him but did not receive an answer.

BTW I really love your country and regularily vistit it every year for a very famous Music festival that you might know of in BP.


Congratulations on everything, your progress and trials are very inspiring!
I'm still wondering if next winter my system will make it through the winter outdoors (doubt it though...) but your system has given me hope, seeing as your bacteria didn't die even though it was pretty cold at times.

-tojo

Thx for the kind words Tojo.

I have spoken with Matej a few weeks ago, he is busy working, and hardly follows byap, but his system is running.

II. CEAJ is gonna be a huge. Firts ebent was only two of us and the 2nd I hope its gonna be at least a 100, you are of course welcome.