Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

What are some choices for media that will keep the grow beds from cooling down in the Winter? I am thinking something like a layer of styrofoam peanuts on top of gravel with wire mesh to keep the peanuts from blowing away? The water level would always be below this layer...

Do expanded clay balls insulate pretty well compared to regular old gravel?

The goal would be to keep the grow bed temp at 75F/24C when the air temp (in a cheap plastic film shelter) was 45F/7C.

An inbed heater would be one way. A series of pipes with warmer water laid in the root zone.

Insulating the top? Hmmm. You need a bit of air exchange but don't see why most of it can't be insulated. Perhaps the plastic card type stuff like they make bill posters from.

eeww was thinkng of the printing process, some nasties in that stuff.
But I am ready to be corrected if my vision of Bill Posters is incorrect!!

Corflute? is that the stuff your talking about? I bought some off cuts from a sign store (not printed on) and used them as lids for some of my aquariums to keep the moisture in. They work a treat

Ah! the old corflute now that is different.
Thanks Daniel.
AD- I stand corrected(sit)