Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

hello guys I've been "lurking" for a while trying to learn new things about aquaponics finally got around to getting pictures up and sharing them.

my system consists of:
150 gallon fish tank
20 gallon swirl filter
8x2x1 media bed with expanded shale with worms
and a 11x2x1 DWC

its been running for about 2 months now and its been fun to see everything grow its tough dealing with the heat, sometimes getting to 120F in the green house at in the day so im looking forward to the cooler weather.

always open for suggestions on how to improve!

jeremy

Looks good Jeremy

To keep it a bit cooler you can exchange some of the greenhouse panels with window screen kits - this lets the air flow through the house, keeps the bugs out, and doesn't add to your electric bill like fans or swamp coolers do. You just use the same greenhouse clips that hold in the panels. Many use the clips if they have polycarbonate panels. I can't tell if this is how your greenhouse is using the polycarb or not but if you are this will probably work .

Pretty hot in Texas so probably will only save you about 15 degrees this time of year

The other thing that I can't tell if you've done is raise the greenhouse by using a low sidewall. It's a bit late for this but with a small greenhouse it's probably still do-able. I used a 2 x 10 frame to raise the greenhouse because it's only a 6 x 8 so I needed the extra height. The height will give more room for crops like tomatoes and might help with the heat as well (more to heat in the Winter though). You can get the idea in the first picture here - http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=9511

thanks scotty

there are two vents in the roof but i will look into adding something in the sides. i took a look at it this morning and its going to be difficult to get the panels out, i'm afraid to bend the metal. the more i think about it the this green house wasn't the best for the value.

the frame idea is good i just wish i knew about it sooner. could use the extra space

Your greenhouse looks to be pretty well built from what I can see and you've got as much height along the sides as I do even with raising the greenhouse so you'll do fine but it will be tight for some types of plants. During the growing season you could run a line out to a Dutch Bucket system for the larger stuff. Come to think of it, most of the year is growing season for you so you might be able to leave it connected all year but I'm not sure about this.

Cheers

If you can post a pic of how the panels are held on I'll be happy to take a look and see if it's like mine. Actually here's a video someone made of how to install spring clips, one like what I have - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM1L91Lr8Oo. These actually hold the panels in place and they're easy to take out as well. The tips of the clip are designed to flex so that's where I push so that they can be removed from the frame. I doubt you'll bend one too far but if you do then they are available online (probably a good idea to cross check this for your particular greenhouse, though I suspect they will work on most)

im glad you mentioned the dutch buckets i have been thinking of expanding due to high nitrates. now just have to figure out how to get it in the system.

since i wasnt able to get the panels out i built into them. its a little rough right now still going to work on it a little more

Long as it works it's a good thing Make sure you can block those vents in Winter though.

Shade cloth is also a good way to keep a greenhouse cooler. I thought you had some but can't tell in this last pic so figured I should mention it. White or reflective are probably the best for your climate because the darker colors absorb heat.

i do have shade cloth on the top and sides its a tan'ish color

i can cover the vents i had some extra panels that fit on the door that i can use to cover

Looks good. Nice work on the greenhouse! How cold does it get there?

Depends on what part of Texas you're talking about - I've seen some killer ice storms in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Denton area, but haven't lived there since '07. Nothing like that heat in Montana, but we do have some comparable days in Iowa.

Where in Texas are you located?

Colum- thank you, i haven't had it running long enough to know how it get in the green house but if i remember correctly last year is got to the low 30's F but its normally highs of 60F lows of 40F (17-7C)

ccaskey- I'm just north of houston