Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Too bad you're so far away. I work cheap, some guys work for beer I work for cookies and chocolate cake

Just to clarify and add to what VB said, the center drain design works best with a round tank, either flat or conical bottom. An oval tank such as Steve2's could work if the drain were strategically placed, however being buried in the ground it is no longer an option. He will have to "sump" pump it out. As Murray said, with adequate circulation, solids will keep moving. The crux is the energy required to keep adequate circulation in order to remove solids. Experiment with pump placement and the partition to get the most efficient flow through, and have fun;)

...and I would like to hear your thoughts on the greenhouse.

[quote="michael_Ferrini"]Just to clarify and add to what VB said, the center drain design works best with a round tank, either flat or conical bottom. An oval tank such as Steve2's could work if the drain were strategically placed, however being buried in the ground it is no longer an option. He will have to "sump" pump it out. As Murray said, with adequate circulation, solids will keep moving. The crux is the energy required to keep adequate circulation in order to remove solids. Experiment with pump placement and the partition to get the most efficient flow through, and have fun;)

yep my 2 ibc/s have never had the bottom cleaned

I picked up another bunk feeder last night, along with 5 heavy duty black poly 27 gal totes from Lowes. I decided to use them instead of a 3rd feeder on the back wall, they're 29"lx20"wx15"d. I went with the totes because the bunk frame would need too much modifying, so I am better off building a stand from scratch. I laid everything out on the floor and it all fits nicely with plenty of room to move around, there's even enough room for a cot when the missus kicks me out

With any luck I will be able to have it set up with water flow testing this weekend.

Mike, the 9'x12'Gh is a sundog purchased from littlegreenhouse.com for $1300. It's chinese and also labeled under some different names. I
considered the Rion but went with this kit to be somewhat cost effective. The overall fit and finish of the parts was very good, the frame is 1mm extruded aluminimum with twinwall 6mm polycarbonate panels. All the hardware is (suprisingly) stainless steel and the door rollers have ballbearings. All you need to assemble this is a 10mm nut driver,10mm open end wrench,a screwgun and a pocket knife.

The instructions are only drawings with numbers, but if you're a handy type it should only take a day to build, or less if there is some one helping the whole time(certian steps need 2 people). The kit went together quite smoothly everything fit as needed, the only problem was with the door track, the bolts were too short and the holes didn't line up very well with the gable rails. The panels take some patience to install when you can't start one corner and slide it down the slot in the frames. The cut edges can catch and bend when you have to push the panel directly into the frame (that's where the pocket knife comes in handy). I recommend a good firm square and level base to start with, as I think assembly would be a headache without it.

The completed structure is very stable, there is some flex in the middle of side walls and end wall but not the structure itself, the sides have raingutters as part of the eves which is a nice touch. I am not sure about a snow load, most snow should melt when it hits the warm roof but I'll have to watch it in the winter.

I have never been around any greenhouses before this, so I don't know what to compare it to.
All things said I am very happy with this GH so far and don't regret purchasing it, only time will tell how it holds up but I don't forsee any problems.

-Steve#2

P.S.
EB, if you ever start a product review section, feel free to copy or link this as needed.

good write up Steve. I agree with your decision on the bunk feeder. If I could just get the liners I'd buy them again, but that frame makes them a foot wider than necessary.... and when space is tight, it's very irritating (to me). My wife just gave me go ahead on her garden area....woot woot. So I will be expanding the operation shortly and probably build the beds this time instead of using the bunk feeders.

go MF!

I feel a bit of rejuvination coming on. Winter entertainment for you all down there! Sorry....back to the topic.

Let us know what grow bed design you arrive at Stevo.....oops I mistyped that..... wait...is there a Stevo on this board? Is Stevo ok?....

I'm going to work on it tomorrow and post some more pics.


Did you try to order the liners from where you got the feeders? If you say you need some replacements because your cows went crazy , they may be able to order them without the 100pc minimum. How big is your expansion going to be?

Stevo is fine, that's what most of my buddies call me. It's probably better than Steve#2 anyway, the more I surf this site I'm really more like Steve#4 or 5(popular name around here )

-Stevo

That is a good suggestion Stevo, never really thought of it that way. I got them from Tractor Supply, it's def worth a try!

My expansion is going to be 13' x 20'. I'll post pics Sunday on my system to solicit ideas from y'all.

I was thinking of building the beds this time but if i can get those liners that would be the sh*&!

OT - but how's the weather there? My neice is back in Connecticut said it was cold. I miss the East Coast:( Ever been to California?

It's been cold here the past few days, we had flurries today. At 8:30am the outside temp was 32deg, and inside the GH it was 68! wow.

I've been to Cali once but it doesn't count because I spent the whole time offroading at the sand dunes.

Some progress pics


-Stevo

i like how this system is looking!!!! when you going to plant?

why line the tank ??

Thanks, C-g. I'm probably going to plant in a couple weeks when the temp here gets a little warmer, winter has been dragging, it got down to 22degF last night with a dusting of snow (just crazy for April!)

Delgrade, the tank is galvanized, and there was talk here about possible zinc problems so I decided to play it safe and line it.

-Stevo

Looking good. One comment about your grow bed placement though. Emagine the growth you will be getting. Will their location be a problem in harvesting them?

If your initials were JC you wouldn't have a problem.....