Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Good morning all
I am in the process of setting up a commercial aquaponics operation in Maryland. before I go full scale, my business plan calls for a pilot aquaponics system to be built and run for few months.
I wish to set this pilot aquaponics system in a greenhouse which needs to be about 16x20ft, probably covered with polycarbonate.
I am looking for construction drawings for such greenhouse??
alternatively is there any draftsman out-there willing to help, for a small fee, to prepare the construction drawings.
thanks

So you're wanting to build it yourself? If not then greenhouse supply companies could easily set you up with the commercial version. For example Stuppy's - http://www.stuppy.com/default.aspx/Commercial

Even though this is a bit smaller than their usual they can generally scale greenhouses to whatever size is desired.

Probably need more information before we can really point you in the right direction.

Scotty
thanks for your quick response
Yes, I am planning to build it myself, this is a medium greenhouse which I will use to set up my first pilot aquaponics system. Later on if I scale up to commercial size, I will probably purchase commercial greenshouses. but for now I want to save some money and build it myself. I envision a wood frame (2x4 lumber) and a foot print of about 16x20ft. the general shape might be gothic while the cover will probably be polycarbonate or 2 plastic sheet with a blower

again any hint for construction drawings or draftsman will be welcome

thanks again

Not wanting to be rude but if you need to ask that question how can you possibly have a business plan that "calls for a pilot aquaponics system to be run for a few months".

A business plan is a serious document that the preparation thereof requires a significant level of expertise.

What you may mean is you want to go into AP commercially and you plan to run a pilot system first. This is a really sensible idea. However, you are not really running a pilot you are giving yourself (and/or team?) an education in the basics of AP.

If the latter then this is a great place to learn because basic questions like the one you have asked will get reasonable answers. Where as if you went to commercial suppliers they are likely to not be bothered with you.

In answer to your question:

A second hand greenhouse is probably your most economical option but it depends on how high tech you want to go. In Australia there are lots of relatively small scale greenhouse sitting idle because they are too small to be economical. I know of one that was 2000m2 that was purchased for $2500 and I know of another 120m2 one that was sold for $500.

Small scale new greenhouses using commercial designs are very expensive. For example a venlo greenhouse with just the steel and glass is about $100/m2 when you buy 10,000m2 but when you only want about 2000m2 the price is more like $200 to $250/m2. If you only wanted 30m2 I shudder to think what it would cost you.

Making one yourself tends to be more expensive and/or of a lower quality. In many cases you as a small purchaser will not be able to buy the steel cheaper than you could buy a second hand house.

Stuart;
thank you for your thorough answer and I agree with you that a second hand small greenhouse would be ideal for my initial pilot aquaponics system. Unfortunately I am not in Australia, but in Maryland USA. I have been looking for a while at second hand greenhouses through auctions and word of mouth, but so far nothing.
also regarding the material, I am not considering steel for such small greenhouse, but wood (2x4 lumber), based on this material the total cost should be 1/4 to a 1/3 of a commercial greenhouse.

In America you have easy access to a number of relatively cheap relatively durable timbers but I'd be surprised if you couldn't find a cheaper second hand steel one.

I knew you are in America and the same markets forces apply (I would think) driving smaller greenhouse producers to the wall or to expand. The ones I mentioned were found by seeing the derelict house in the paddock and asking if the owner wanted to sell it (The one I have I actually got for free). The $500 one I mentioned was $3500 new (I think) and 4 years ago the owner wanted $2000, 3 years ago it was $1500 and it recently sold for $500. Take a drive in the country and you might find something. Then again you might not but if you make it a family trip to somewhere you want to go then you get a family outing/holiday and its tax deductible.

The 2000m2 was sold for $2500 but it took 3 people two weeks with a scissor lift to take down. Any GH you see at an auction you have to pay for the house and the labour to dismantle it and transport it to the auction yard.

What is your budget for only the GH?

$2k to $3k

I don't know my US geography but on EBay is:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Greenhouse-Rimo ... 3a8c272072

Includes a bunch of gear that adds value to the package.

Wouldn't recommend this one though:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Huge-Commercial ... 2a3830aef2

1. Crap
2. Expensive Crap

thank, will continue looking in the country side and elsewhere...

I think that's the best route. Just to give you an idea of some of the additional costs beyond the posts, you may want to look here - http://www.ovg.com/prices/16x20.htm

Since this is for a Quonset style greenhouse your mileage may vary. Ventilation and Heating systems are usually pretty expensive but little things add up as well. Buying used all or some of these might be included.

Why not just build a pvc hoop house. I built mine for about 200 bucks and it is 20X24. I had a lot of the material, but even with no material I bet it can be done for under a grand.

hmmm

if he only wants a 16 x 20 ft greenhouse (4.9m x 6m), I think he could build it relatively cheap himself. Depends how good one is working with steel and welding I guess.

I do a fair bit of metal work and have a trade account with local steelyards.. I'm pretty sure I could build a cheaper and better greenhouse than what a kit of that size would give me. If it's just a 'pilot' greenhouse, it doesn't have to be the ants pants all bells and whistles right?

The trickiest bit would be the arched steel overhanging supports - which you could get outsourced, particularly in rural areas, every steel fabrication place seems to make them for greenhouses.. the rest is just basic construction like building a shed right

There are so many different greenhouse designs on the internet - if I were you Yvoneg, and assuming you are pretty handy on the tools and construction work, I'd just do more googling to find a design you like, then replicate it yourself

Second thoughts, I think I'm even over thinking and engineering it

A PVC hoop house as helomech suggests is a great start, or for something better insulated, use cheap timber to create the basic frame and then panel it with polycarbonate sheeting.

I'd also add in a few opening roof vents, and or opening side windows, to give a basic degree of manual temperature and humidity control & cross ventilation