Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Very nice looking system! I like the greenhouse too. I'm debating about whether I want to put up a permanent greenhouse over my growbeds, or just a temporary one for the colder months. I've been looking at this one on Amazon for a winter greenhouse--not sure it would last too many summers in sun:
http://www.amazon.com/Spring-Gardener-G ... B0037QGR6K
Comes with screened windows

Hi kriskm: check out Harbor Freight for cheap but decent greenhouses, several forum members have used them. Not perfect but a good bargain and about the same price as the Amazon link, but with real polycarbonate panels. HTH!

Edit: actually scotty's is one, check their prices they are a good value.

Thanks kriskm.

I see Dave got in his reply faster than I could but we agree on where you should be looking.

If you can afford a bit more I would upgrade to this http://www.harborfreight.com/10-ft-x-12-ft-greenhouse-with-4-vents-93358.html. It's a larger version of what I have. They have really good sales once in awhile and there is almost always a 20% off super coupon that the stores will let you use along with the sale price. Basically winds up around $600 or less but you will need to add ventilation and some form of foundation and beef up the structure a little (you'd probably have to add ventilation on the one you posted also). Summer ventilation in our climate is easy with just needing to replace the lexan panels with screen. Lots of people have put one of these together so you can find information online pretty easily.

The two greenhouses are different and either would work but the Harbor Freight greenhouse will last longer, give you more margin for error and probably look better. On the down side it will take much more setup time and the instructions could be better.

On a side note. Power out most of the day because of a short but no fish deaths and they weren't even coming to the top. One of the benefits of not pushing the limits and having lots of surface area. Glad it happened now and not later when I have more and larger fish.

yup...You say tomayto, I say tomahto.

I face the same dilemma coming back to Australia from Indonesia -- of justifying taking stuff back in luggage. So much wider range here. There, they have ACE Hardware, but it's pretty crap when it comes to tools compared to Bunnings (or Lowes I expect).

Nice setup, Scotty

Thanks fer9us. I haven't perfected this yet, still learning.

I'm probably going to put in another system in a small high tunnel late this Summer but it's not for sure yet.

FYI - Most of you know this but for those that don't - Many plants won't sprout in 40 to low 50 degree water (for some it's not a good idea to try to (like peppers)). The small greenhouse in this system stays warmer than the water since most of the water is outside at any given time - this means it's tough to start seeds in the growbeds this time of year. This isn't a problem in the warmer months and you can just throw the seeds in a growbed to start them.

To temporarily work around this problem (and because I wanted one anyway), I've installed a shelf where I can start seedlings in soiless mix for the AP and soil garden. I am working on covering the Fish tank and outdoor AP growbeds, and the water temperature will hopefully stay higher once this is done.

A seedling system like Karen has would be another way to go (you could heat this if needed).

Good tip Scotty, I'm seeing very slow sprouting even though there are a ton of seeds been put in the beds.

When I build my next greenhouse, I'd like to incorporate a rocket mass heater with some sort of seed propogating bed on top of the thermal mass. If the thermal mass is large enough, the heat should stay in the bed for a couple of days even after the fire has gone out. Still working on the design though. Does this interest you?

Have you checked out Steve's thread "Propagating blue barrel" (or "Blue propagating barrel") or something to that effect. I built one and it works! Tomato seeds are ready to be transplanted already. Need to take pics and post Kudos to Steve for that idea. Probably tomorrow.

@Steve's thread:
http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2283&hilit=Blue+propagating+barrel

Kind of a neat idea but then I liked his IBC mod as well. Thanks for the pointer to Steve's thread. In my case I have the small greenhouse and room on the North wall for a shelf. I just added one of those plastic coated wire closet shelves from Lowes into the T-channels of the greenhouse. I did have to unbolt part of the frame to do this but it wasn't difficult. If it interferes with any plants this Summer I'll remove it for awhile.

On taking a second look, I'm not sure I fully understood Steve's setup. I noticed a smartvalve in the pics but didn't see a reservoir and he didn't say much about it. I've got a couple of these smartvalves laying around and this would be a good use for one. Since my shelf is up high, has anyone used one of these smartvalves with a pump or is there a way to? What kind of pump would I need?

I like your system scotty. How many fish do you have now? I am located central valley and my hubby works at Jerry's and my sis at Lowe's so I can't even begin to tell you how much money I have saved over the last 6 years! (My greenhouse too 70% off) Couldn't help but mention after reading all these hardware store posts...

I shop at lowes almost exclusively, even though it's further away because of the military discount. They give one every day for any military that has an honorable discharge. Home Depot only does it a few days out of the year unless you are retired military.

To me... I'd rather give my money to someone that says thank you every time I shop with them lol.

And Scotty, thank you for the link to your system and pictures.

I was noticing on the green house that the one I've built is also about $550, but it's 6' x 29' I just found out though that it's illegal and I needed a permit as well (needs to be 5' from property line and 6' from house). I'll have to bribe my neighbors with some organic produce or fertilzer so they don't report me.

Am I obsessed with AP if I want to move now because I can't have the greenhouse where I want it?

I was referring to the bigger version of Harbor Freights greenhouse which is around 600 with discount. I got the el cheapo at around 200 with discount . 6 X 29 sounds pretty good to me except for the code violation and having to bribe the neighbors. I'd like to put in a 10 or 12 by 30 over my raised garden beds eventually.

http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=13622&p=351416&hilit=scotty%27s+wicking+beds#p351416



Obsessed is when you put it there anyway (but you have to know about the law first or it doesn't count), right now you just have a compulsion

P.S. Greenhouses sometimes qualify as a temporary structure maybe the rules won't apply. I missed the greenhouse in your video, what kind of greenhouse is it DC ?

Out in our rural area if it's for agricultural use you don't need a permit. I'm loving the rural life!