Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I was going to build a hothouse but have thought as spring is so close I might not worry.

I'm wondering due to the locust plauge that is predicted I'd like too build it in.

Just wondering if I should get some very light shadecloth to build it in.

Over summer we see high temps etc.

If you want to grow tomatoes in our climate you should have shade for them in summer anyway.
Check out the hoop shadehouse thread that just started today

Yer I'm keeping an eye on that now

Cheers manto!

I live in a similar climate, and extreme shade is not usually required, I only shaded part of my AP and let the rest enjoy the sun

AP can self shade itself quite well, just some simple shade for the tank is a good idea.

If you are shading go with 30% shade cloth. Over the FT the higher rated cloth is better (90%??) as it reduces algal blooms. I use core flute zip tyed over the mesh lid of the school system over summer as the tank is in full sunlight. The beds manage quite well with no shade except what the larger plants provide as OBO has alluded too.

Hmmmmmm....

Ok So what about those pesky locusts??

anyone get eaten out by them last year??

No, but there were a few around for a while. Hope they get on top of the spraying this year or it could get nasty.
I can seal up my greenhouse but in summer it would cook everything. Its usually got shadecloth over the roof, louver windows all around open and doors, so it becomes a shadehouse.
I still maintain that you need to shade tomatoes around here. People that dont, complain that "I get lots of flowers but no fruit". The pollen in tomato flowers cooks in the open sun around here.
I grow mine in a shadehouse and get loads of fruit
Tomatoes will grow in open sun if there are regular periods of cooler temps when the flowers are open, then they will set. We can get prolonged periods of high temps day and night so they have no chance.
Most other vegies are no problem if you can keep the water up to them, and that shouldnt be a problem with AP eh.
Having ranted on here, I must add, that I have never grown tomatoes in aquaponics so feel free to me