Oldandfound1 Greenhouse And Aquaponics

[Oldandfound1]

The future looked Grave. It was then about 2 months ago in June when Aquaponics came into my vocabulary. I used to have other interests. I can not remember them now.The Depth was stopped by hard pan, so expansion was only going to be laterally.

[attachment=0:2c8t631n]Sump in early digging.jpg[/attachment:2c8t631n]
Expansion continued along with other parts searching and perimeter building. Spread in 2 pick-up loads of 7/8" gravel.[attachment=2:2c8t631n]Greenhouse over the Fence.jpg[/attachment:2c8t631n]
[attachment=1:2c8t631n]First pile of gravel.jpg[/attachment:2c8t631n]
On our farm are 2 Goats, about 50 chickens, 15 Muscovy ducks with more on the way, 50 rabbits (number goes up and down in sales, and what multiplication I allow.
A 75'x100' dirt garden, several flower beds, numerous hanging baskets round out the chores daily in feeding and watering.
Dennis
Oldandfound1

[Oldandfound1]

Then there was the Muscovy Duckling that needed to be hatched by hand.
[attachment=2:2eq11lok]Removing Muscovy from Shell.jpg[/attachment:2eq11lok]
They begin to discover the great outdoors. The dining room brooding was getting smelly so they got moved to a brooder in the barn.
[attachment=1:2eq11lok]Ducklings in yard Muscovy.jpg[/attachment:2eq11lok]
Continued digging and laying in 4"x4"x8' treated perimeter for the greenhouse. Weeks were flying by with hours of forum reading (it does satisfy), YouTube watching, etc. Discovered an ironmonger and recycle a few miles away.
My wife with one of the English Lop bunnies in Blue.
[attachment=0:2eq11lok]English Lop (Medium).jpg[/attachment:2eq11lok]
Dennis
Oldandfound1

[Oldandfound1]

Then some of the harder chores suffered for time on the internet. Eventually, the perimeter was getting secured. The framing clips were 50 cents a pound. They were screwed to the 5/8" re-bar driven in the ground and also held the galvanized posts also driven in the ground for the Hoop Greenhouse.
[attachment=2:1pkxan6l]Perimeter with attaching clips and hoop post.jpeg[/attachment:1pkxan6l]
About then a 325 gallon IBC turned up on a CL. It was 120 miles away round trip for $50. Unfortunately, the used for "Water Label" , had a grease pen X on it faded, and around another side a chemical label.
I have not deserted as a fish tank just yet. My brother suggested leaving water in it for a while to see if an algae bloom will flourish. Suggesting if so then it would probably support fish. Not formed in the nature of a question but it is. Anybody?
[attachment=1:1pkxan6l]325 Gallon IBC.jpeg[/attachment:1pkxan6l]
"Joey" was in an accident with a car a year ago. Vet surgery removed his tail. Smart as they come, and opinionated about everything.
[attachment=0:1pkxan6l]Joey the tailless Papillion Leaves inspectors message.jpeg[/attachment:1pkxan6l]
Dennis
Oldandfound1

[jackalope]

I remember those days of "hand hatching" chicks and ducklings (as well as Turkens and goslings) .... growing up on a mini-farm in the 40's and 50's was a good education, and I'm sure you children (or grandchildren) will thank you for that kind of education in the future

[Big Al]

hi oldandfound1, so far it's looking good and im glad to see your getting your project inspected. all your hard work will be worth it. good luck Big Al

[Oldandfound1]

In some future posts I will fill in some things that have otherwise happened. Today,
Mrs. and I took a 40 feet of 11/2" PVC and put it on the posts as a test.[attachment=2:1anx19mp]40 Feet of GH Hoop (Medium).jpeg[/attachment:1anx19mp]
PVC deflection link; http://www.northernpipe.com/NPP_PVC_Hom ... ction.html
After it was up we stood back and looked. At 23'10" wide, the arc top is 13'6".
Question follows below.[attachment=1:1anx19mp]Patio View of Hoop.jpeg[/attachment:1anx19mp]
Then I step to the inside north wall and snap this photo for perspective.
[attachment=0:1anx19mp]Inside perspective of Hoopo.jpeg[/attachment:1anx19mp]
The 4"x4" end wall frame is about 8'6" above ground level. The hoop arc is 5'6" above that.
Greater expense in construction of larger hoops which will have PVC tees and Cross tees for 3 purlin. Hoop legs are 4 feet spacing.
The question is, "In a greenhouse would I rather have greater air volume than less"
I might be able to cut a couple of feet off of each leg and bring the elevation down to 11'6" thereby.reducing air volume about 2500 cubic feet.
Hoop house is 23'10"x31'7" or by volume
V = 7850 ft3
Thank you
Dennis
Oldandfound1

[Oldandfound1]

The local transit system uses acrylic windows and advertising panels on the pay per ride bus. When they get vandalized they are replaced. They salvaged out to various uses in the last three years as dirt garden A-Frame row covers, hot boxes, rabbit and chicken nesting boxes and elsewhere.
[attachment=1:16konrk2]Sump View with Concrete Footing.jpeg[/attachment:16konrk2]
I made up some double layers with an 1/8" cedar spacer and walled up the vertical walls of the pit. We have moles and shrews, trying to keep them out and walls up.
Some of those old squares of sticky-back carpet have been following me around too long. They are on the bottom. Behind the acrylic panels some old rubber like 1/8" thin insulator cut and slid behind the panels. Some lumber on stilts to brace the walls.
Laid out some forms and poured the concrete footing around the pit.
Placed some 2"x8" framing clips in the poured corners for start off framing of a raised wall. Eventually line the pit and walls with Pool Liner.
Also poured around a couple of 1" galvanized steel pipe for later support of "Whatever".
Our dirt garden has some 8'-9'2" foot tall Black Oil Sunflowers our neighbor gave us. She said they would be short.
[attachment=0:16konrk2]Sunflower with Bee 2.jpeg[/attachment:16konrk2]

[Hotrodmike]

Dennis
Welcome to your new addiction (as I was told ) & here
Looks like you have a pretty good start on things .
Hardpan LOL I just finished pick-axing a 9' x 9' x 3' hole for a FT and last two foot was rock and caliche
On the greenhouse ,if it were me . I would drop the roof some . Wash. doesnt get that bitter cold as the coastal winds help but it does get cold and you dont have real hot summers so if you plan on running in the colder months you will need to heat . Heat rises ! So here in Texas I should have gone with a taller roof ,there I think a shorter one would benefit you more. My painter just came back from Carnation last week said he left 100 deg here to wearing a hoodie up there !
Have A Kind Day
Mike

[Oldandfound1]

Thanks for the advice HotRodMan. Between the logic of heating a smaller area and my wife insisting the thing was too tall, I came to a compromise 3 feet shorter, now at 10'6" at the center. Three foot tall galvanized posts driven in the ground now protrude to accept the PVC. These pipes are clipped to the perimeter 4"x4" treated wood. The white tops are pieces of gauze wrapped on to keep the pipe edge from cutting into the PVC.
[attachment=2:2yq8x6xw]Fishished Hoop Design from North Wall.jpeg[/attachment:2yq8x6xw]
Assembled and painted two more sticks 34 feet long yesterday, and painted the one in the air. Controversy over the chemical emissions of PVC eating away on the greenhouse cover material. Some say it does, some not. I am erring on the "paint it" side. It is white paint so it will not have heat gain.
[attachment=1:2yq8x6xw]Two Painted 34 foot PVC.jpeg[/attachment:2yq8x6xw]
Put the walls up on the sump pit earlier this week.
[attachment=0:2yq8x6xw]Side view Sump Wall up.jpeg[/attachment:2yq8x6xw]
Dares't ye look at the next post for the paint color of the wood. It was some old 1/2"x6" cedar fencing, salvaged by a fence contractor about 3 years ago who gave it away on CL. Turned out to be very tight knot fence boards and nearly straight grain 2"x4" support rails. The wall is assembled two layers with overlapping seams or "ship lap". Eventually only about 16" of water depth above the pit level.5'6" wide by 7'8" long. Top framing still in the future.
Constantly looking for pool liner. Went out on a CL today unsure of size of 45 mil EDPM. It was only 10 feet wide x15'. I need a minimum of 12'x14'.
Dennis
Oldandfound1

[davidstcldfl]

Lookin' good Dennis...

The paint on the pvc hoops, will protect the pvc too. It will , eventually become brittle in the sunlight. The gray, pvc conduit is UV protected....go figure...