Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 11 to 16 of 16
  1. #11
    Members
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Fairport Harbor, Ohio
    Posts
    1,073

    Re: Heat/cool, water?? Air?? or both??

    your growbeds will be the biggest transferor's of heat into and out of your system..they act like a damn good heat sink.. so heating the water, every pass through the growbeds cools it, or visa versa..
    that and the surface of your ft unless you cover it with insulation..

  2. #12
    Members 15mules's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Arkansas, U.S.A.
    Posts
    187

    Re: Heat/cool, water?? Air?? or both??

    Kieth,
    I agree, media grow beds transfer a lot of heat/cool to the surrounding air, especially in flood and drain systems where the water draining pulls in the surrounding air down into the media. I am planning a DWR system, the troughs will be insulated on bottom an sides and a 2" raft on top will actually provide insulation for all 4 sides of the grow area.
    Sorry, I may have used the wrong terminology and miss led someone into thinking I was planning a media bed system.
    Never show your ignorance, by thinking you know it all

  3. #13
    Moderator JCO's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Orange Park, Florida
    Posts
    1,830

    Re: Heat/cool, water?? Air?? or both??

    Sorry, I may have used the wrong terminology and miss led someone into thinking I was planning a media bed system.
    DWR system = Raft system
    JCO
    Irish eyes are always smiling but
    • "In the eyes of the world, you are only as good as your last success"
    so never forget
    • "MAN IS ONLY LIMITED BY HIS IMAGINATION"

  4. #14
    Members
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Posts
    2

    Re: Heat/cool, water?? Air?? or both??

    I have a background in greenhouse construction, and have built the so-called "Chinese" model in Texas back in 1980 and more recently.
    Your thought path and mine are parallel. Cooling is primary for me. The mass in the water has to been very beneficial. I am designing my raft beds, sump and fish tank out of concrete to introduce more mass. I will use "Thoroseal" to waterproof the concrete or CMU so that I can avoid using plastic liners. (Just can't wrap my mind around plastic) Since complex systems tend to fail, I am leaning away from Phase Change Materials and heat/cool tubes but the jury is still out. First greenhouse to be 48' x 32' x 20' tall.
    There is a solid roof on the North that you can walk on to make putting on the plastic and 60% shade cloth safe and easy. I'll have 1 media bed 48' x 3' ; one raft 42' x 6' and a sump dug into the ground. Fish tank to have view window. About 1000 gallons (+ or-).

  5. #15
    Moderator JCO's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Orange Park, Florida
    Posts
    1,830

    Re: Heat/cool, water?? Air?? or both??

    I personally have a huge problem with Chinese style greenhouses, but I will leave that for another thread when I have the time to dispel it and verbally tear it down.

    Then I will introduce and build my American Aquaponic style greenhouse (designed especially for Aquaponics - commercial or backyard), on paper naturally.

    No bucks for a greenhouse at this time, but I have built them before and I do have the knowledge and experience necessary to prove my thinking.
    JCO
    Irish eyes are always smiling but
    • "In the eyes of the world, you are only as good as your last success"
    so never forget
    • "MAN IS ONLY LIMITED BY HIS IMAGINATION"

  6. #16
    Members
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Posts
    2

    Re: Heat/cool, water?? Air?? or both??

    It would be interesting to hear your issues with the "Chinese" style greenhouse. I personally have operated one with very little energy input.

Similar Threads

  1. How Would You Heat 5000 Gallons?
    By urbanfarmer in forum Water Heaters
    Replies: 36
    Last Post: 07-25-2013, 12:39 AM
  2. Close-out on heat exchanger
    By Shas in forum Water Heaters
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 01-16-2012, 09:36 AM
  3. Compost heat
    By dwaller in forum Compost
    Replies: 24
    Last Post: 11-10-2011, 06:23 AM
  4. cool link
    By swamp creek farms in forum Want To Know HOW TO..?
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 07-25-2010, 08:59 PM
  5. Winter Heat
    By JGudde in forum Back Yard Systems
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 07-13-2009, 05:23 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •