Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hey guys. I guess it is time for me to start a build/system thread. Last week I brought a backhoe home and cleared off about 1/2 acre behind the house. Now I am going to start on the greenhouse.

We are building a polytunnel styled greenhouse on top of 4 foot walls. The greenhouse is going to be 14ft by 24ft and about 9 or 10 ft tall in the middle. We already bent the pipe for the ribs/supports. We originaly bought a bender from harbor freight and of course it broke about 5 minutes into the job. So, I took it back and brought a pipe bender home. We bent the 20ft long pipes just a little bit every foot. That took forever but we got it done. We are using reclaimed oak 2x6 for the frame on the lower section. The pipe, IBC's and oak were all free. So we are doing pretty good cost wise.

The AP system will be comprised of 2 IBC's for FT and ST and 3 IBC's cut to make 6 grow beds. I am hoping to get an indexing valve and run it that way but that will depend on the $ of the indexing valves.

I will keep a tally on how much we spend and edit it all into this post. That way I will be able to keep up with how much I have spent on the system.

I am trying to get it all drawn up in google sketchup, but I have never used it before and there is a slight learning curve. Hopefully in the next few days I will have pics and the sketchup on here.

One thing I have learned in the AP trail. It costs an arm and a leg. But it is SO worth it!

You go to the hardware store and buy everything you think you need plus some spares. Then you get gome and at exactly 18:58 you find that you are short 1 (ONE) stinking elbow fitting. You have a whole bag full of other fittings and crap that are perfectly useless, but at that moment you would pay any price if you can only get one more elbow. <sigh>

Point is that you pay for all the useless things you thought you might need, which you don't. It is of course much better if you design the entire thing before buying the first PVC fitting, BUT there are very few people who actually build the thing the way they designed it. Thing is, halfway through the process, you think up a new idea, and you change direction. Or you get halfway and realise that some or other crappy plan just won't work. In between all of this, you spend hours upon hours just staring at your half-built aquaponic project, visualising different options and planning your revenge on the hardware store. You wife looks through the window, slightly worried, and hopes the phase will pass..

Enjoy!!

That is why I have an account at my hardware store. I take everything I think I need then add a few more for good measure. They don't mind me returning stuff that I don't use as long as it is in the same month Not sure how it would go in a big town but in a small rural town it is a good system. Can't wait to see the pics Arkantex

Hahaha!!! My wife is actually cheering me on in the effort! We both grew up out in the country in Arkansas and we both had gardens growing up. We just moved out of town about 8 months ago. We are just now getting everything settled out... So we are starting on the GH/AP system. I wish we could have started on it a few months ago, but circumstances wouldn't allow it.

Welcome to byap forum Arkantex. Can't wait to see your system come together.

Yep... a big welcome to you Arkantex...

Hi Arkantex,
Funny, my wife called the AP system a industrial waste heap until she cooked a meal with 3 types of veggies from the AP and was sold. I am negotiating an expansion.....All up once it ads up I t cost me around 1k to build and stock - including all bassmonsters antics and more mistakes besides... . Current calculations have it paying itself off within the year!

Looking forward to the greenhouse pics!

Ben

Haha... My wife said there was one condition, I have to devote one grow bed entirely to fresh herbs and spices... Other than that, she said just make sure you make it big enough! I have an awesome wife!!!

Hi Arkantex,

It's good to see more West Texas PPL Doing AP..

Sounds like a Nice Greenhouse plan......

I grew up in Lamesa................
Where the Sand Blows and the Cotton Grows.......

RS

Holy stinking awesome greenhouse batman!!! Er... I mean RS_ You have a sweet system!

Well my wife called me at work this morning and told me she has the stomach bug. So, I took a sick day to come home and take care of her and our 5 month old. While he is taking his afternoon nap, I got on google sketchup and built a model. Anyone want to tell me how to upload it?

Use http://imageshack.us/

[img]http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=c82a07f4cda45ff7d356044635e17220/img]

You have to screen shot or get the picture upload it to a host. You cant directly link (to see the picture here without clicking that is)

Well first try unsuccessful