Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

are you covering the roof with shade cloth perminantly or just in summer?

probably permanently. During winter here we usually have little cloud cover (for about 4 months ). But it's only tied on, we can take it down easily if the plants are suffering (or if a cyclone threatens).

The film fits on with a rail/locking system kinda like screen door beading.

do you get it by the metre or by the roll?

do you have a link to the manufacturers site?

i'm interested.

You buy it by the metre, at different widths depending on your needs. The company has been mentioned before, someone else didn't have a good experience with them, but we've only had good things from them (no nagging and quick service). Have a look here. They are in Bendigo, but have agents all over the place. Their website is a bit "all over the place" too. Takes a bit of navigating.

BF, I've just found the invoice. 7.5m wide at $15pm, the rails at $4.60pm (GST included) ($50 freight) Delivered within 4 days.

well the ap gods were looking over me again today.

picked up second hand laserlite sheets for a good price. goes to show good things come to those who wait.

i paid $300 for 12 (4.8m x .8m) sheets. thats all i need to do is patch up a few holes and they're good as new.

my only concern is that these hold out 99% of the UV.

does anyone know if plants need much UV to grow?

heres a pic.

Great stuff BF,always good to get stuff cheap.
I think plants will need some uv to grow but if you find some clear sheets add one or two and it should be good.

good idea gnash. i was thinking that enough uv would get through the sides which will only be covered in shadecloth. i will put them up and if not enough uv gets in i can easy remove 1 or 2 if needed.

and so the fun begins.

been covered before i think i found out that even the clear ones block UV.

I don't think its a strict requirement for plant growth.

Besides lots of people from the norther suburbs here will tell you you can get a great "crop" with HPS lights (orange/yellow, no UV)

good point steve.

i'm hoping these sheets will let light in but reflect some of the heat. thats how they look they're designed.

HPS ( High Pressure Sodium) good for fruiting not so good for growing

Most of the heating in a greenhouse is due to visible light being absorbed and turned to heat. Blocking 'heat' (TIR) will make a greenhouse hotter, not colder as the TIR formed inside the GH will not be able to escape. To make a greenhouse cold you want something that lets heat through but not visible (and nearby) light. Such a material would not be see through at all.

Plants don't need UV to grow (most greenhouses block UV because it destroys the plastics), although some plants may need UV to flower well. Many pests are confused by UV free greenhouses because they can't see the plant they're aiming for.

True, growth often requires the blue spectrum. Was just highlightingnin a funny way the lack of UV in HPS

Also if you look at the spectrum analysis of a MH light it tapers right nown to almost nothing in the violet / UV area. Infact i think the outer envelope is designed to block UV.

Besidesif there is any small requirement then the 1% that the polycarb lets though should cut it

Look up the laserlite on the web... It should tell you its wavelength pass/block characteristics look it up on a light spectrum chart.... Some of them also block heat, which is predominately Infrared which is on the other end of the light spectrum... Should be OK though...

well i got most of the roof on today. next i will be putting up the sides.

then i can get these tanks cycling.