Our system is running on solar power ... - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-29T09:28:01Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/forum/topics/our-system-is-running-on-solar-power?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A319103&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI started a new thread today…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-04-11:4778851:Comment:3189612012-04-11T12:04:09.281ZBob Ventohttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/BobVento
<p>I started a new thread today with my Solar Update under <em>Basic and Useful Info</em>. <a style="cursor: pointer;"><img src="http://www.bkserv.net/images/Grin.gif"/></a></p>
<p>I started a new thread today with my Solar Update under <em>Basic and Useful Info</em>. <a style="cursor: pointer;"><img src="http://www.bkserv.net/images/Grin.gif"/></a></p> Very good thread here, I am n…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-04-11:4778851:Comment:3191032012-04-11T03:00:45.167ZMax In Missourihttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/MaxInMissouri
<p>Very good thread here, I am new to forum/page and have wondered about Solar AP systems.. I am looking at the very same products (Harbor Freight) that Bob V mentioned.. I like the IBC tote pics on your Facebook pic page! I am undecided on Deep Water trough vs. Hyroton media for grow beds. Anyhow, please keep my name in your sites, as I have TONS of new bee questions coming your way!</p>
<p>Very good thread here, I am new to forum/page and have wondered about Solar AP systems.. I am looking at the very same products (Harbor Freight) that Bob V mentioned.. I like the IBC tote pics on your Facebook pic page! I am undecided on Deep Water trough vs. Hyroton media for grow beds. Anyhow, please keep my name in your sites, as I have TONS of new bee questions coming your way!</p> You can probably wait till yo…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-04-10:4778851:Comment:3183852012-04-10T11:52:28.774ZTCLynxhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/TCLynx
<p>You can probably wait till you get it up and running but some shade cloth or tarp wrapped around the whole thing could save you from your up coming algae bloom (almost all new systems will experience some sort of algae bloom as they start cycling and blocking the light from the water will help.)</p>
<p>You can probably wait till you get it up and running but some shade cloth or tarp wrapped around the whole thing could save you from your up coming algae bloom (almost all new systems will experience some sort of algae bloom as they start cycling and blocking the light from the water will help.)</p> Ahh ok ... got it, thanks TC…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-04-10:4778851:Comment:3182912012-04-10T11:35:55.621ZBob Ventohttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/BobVento
<p>Ahh ok ... got it, thanks TC. I did not know the tote would get brittle over time from the sun.</p>
<p>What do you suggest wrapping the tote in?</p>
<p>Do I have to do that right away or can it wait a while, until I get my system up and running with fish in it?<br></br> <br></br> <cite>TCLynx said:…</cite></p>
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<p>Ahh ok ... got it, thanks TC. I did not know the tote would get brittle over time from the sun.</p>
<p>What do you suggest wrapping the tote in?</p>
<p>Do I have to do that right away or can it wait a while, until I get my system up and running with fish in it?<br/> <br/> <cite>TCLynx said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/our-system-is-running-on-solar-power?xg_source=activity&id=4778851%3ATopic%3A317265&page=3#4778851Comment318384"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>The IBC plastic will get brittle with too much time out under the sun with it's UV rays. So most people recommend protecting the plastic from excess sun. And by protecting the plastic from the sun you are also reducing algae growth.</p>
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</blockquote> The IBC plastic will get brit…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-04-10:4778851:Comment:3183842012-04-10T11:32:10.532ZTCLynxhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/TCLynx
<p>The IBC plastic will get brittle with too much time out under the sun with it's UV rays. So most people recommend protecting the plastic from excess sun. And by protecting the plastic from the sun you are also reducing algae growth.</p>
<p>The IBC plastic will get brittle with too much time out under the sun with it's UV rays. So most people recommend protecting the plastic from excess sun. And by protecting the plastic from the sun you are also reducing algae growth.</p> We have a trellis, that you c…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-04-10:4778851:Comment:3182902012-04-10T11:29:11.663ZBob Ventohttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/BobVento
<p>We have a trellis, that you can not see in the pictures, above the system and shade cloth is part of my design as a cover, I just have not done that part yet. Thanks for your input Randall, it does help make the conversations more informative.<br></br> <br></br> <cite>Randall Wimbish said:…</cite></p>
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<p>We have a trellis, that you can not see in the pictures, above the system and shade cloth is part of my design as a cover, I just have not done that part yet. Thanks for your input Randall, it does help make the conversations more informative.<br/> <br/> <cite>Randall Wimbish said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/our-system-is-running-on-solar-power?xg_source=activity&id=4778851%3ATopic%3A317265&page=2#4778851Comment318244"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Bob. I looked at your photo's and I would like to add, What I would do to improve it. And is just my opinion and I hope it sparks more comments which I will gladly apprecieate.</p>
<p>I think I would paint the fish tank and grow bed black to block out the sunlight.</p>
<p>I think I would insulate the fish tank to minimize temperature swings and help keep warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Then, if your summers are brutal, a structure or frame to hang shade cloth over the system.</p>
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</blockquote> We have a trellis, that you c…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-04-10:4778851:Comment:3182892012-04-10T11:28:03.155ZBob Ventohttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/BobVento
<p>We have a trellis, that you can not see in the pictures, above the system and shade cloth is part of my design as a cover, I just have not done that part yet. <br></br><br></br>Why am I protecting the plastic from the sun? <br></br>Is this to stop algae growth or for some other reason?<br></br> <br></br> <cite>TCLynx said:…</cite></p>
<p>We have a trellis, that you can not see in the pictures, above the system and shade cloth is part of my design as a cover, I just have not done that part yet. <br/><br/>Why am I protecting the plastic from the sun? <br/>Is this to stop algae growth or for some other reason?<br/> <br/> <cite>TCLynx said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/our-system-is-running-on-solar-power?xg_source=activity&id=4778851%3ATopic%3A317265&page=2#4778851Comment318248"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>If you are going to insulate around the fish tank then probably no need to paint it black to block the light, the insulation will probably take care of that. Same could be true for grow beds.</p>
<p>However, in South FL, I would probably simply wrap everything in something light colored to protect the plastic from the sun instead of painting black since the summers are brutal. Yea, during summer, a bit of overhead shade cloth will probably be worth while.</p>
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</blockquote> I guess I will be using my so…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-04-10:4778851:Comment:3183832012-04-10T11:26:01.900ZBob Ventohttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/BobVento
<p>I guess I will be using my solar system for a backup power in case of loss of commercial power.</p>
<p>With a flood and drain system, how much damage could be caused if the process stops temporarily, due to a power outage? Example ... I am at work and discover when I get home the power is out. I connect my backup and run off of battery until the power is restored. Can I expect casualties of fish and plants because of that brief loss of power?<br></br> <br></br> <cite>George…</cite></p>
<p>I guess I will be using my solar system for a backup power in case of loss of commercial power.</p>
<p>With a flood and drain system, how much damage could be caused if the process stops temporarily, due to a power outage? Example ... I am at work and discover when I get home the power is out. I connect my backup and run off of battery until the power is restored. Can I expect casualties of fish and plants because of that brief loss of power?<br/> <br/> <cite>George said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/our-system-is-running-on-solar-power?xg_source=activity&id=4778851%3ATopic%3A317265&page=2#4778851Comment318163"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>I have two 79 AH batteries and need more for my present demand. I'm running a 45-watt pump 24/7. Three 195-watt panels are charging with about 5 hours of direct sunlight per day. Honestly, I don't know whether or not another battery would solve my deficiency. Mine is a good backup system (with reduced pumping) but won't stand alone pumping 24/7 without supplemental charging.<br/> <br/> <cite>Bob Vento said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/our-system-is-running-on-solar-power?xg_source=activity#4778851Comment317850"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"> Maybe adding a second battery would help</div>
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</blockquote> Thanks for the info on cyclin…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-04-10:4778851:Comment:3185072012-04-10T11:21:54.488ZBob Ventohttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/BobVento
<p>Thanks for the info on cycling the battery. I'll do that.<br></br> <br></br> <cite>Chris McMahon said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/our-system-is-running-on-solar-power?xg_source=activity&id=4778851%3ATopic%3A317265&page=2#4778851Comment317800"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>It sounds like you need more solar panels. Keeping them clean is the big problem. The power diminishes when they are dirty.</p>
<p>You should also check into proper…</p>
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<p>Thanks for the info on cycling the battery. I'll do that.<br/> <br/> <cite>Chris McMahon said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/our-system-is-running-on-solar-power?xg_source=activity&id=4778851%3ATopic%3A317265&page=2#4778851Comment317800"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>It sounds like you need more solar panels. Keeping them clean is the big problem. The power diminishes when they are dirty.</p>
<p>You should also check into proper cycling of new batteries. Some manufactures will want you to charge them all the way up and then use all the power several times before putting them into normal use.</p>
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</blockquote> I have two 79 AH batteries an…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-04-10:4778851:Comment:3181632012-04-10T03:20:50.916ZGeorgehttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/Geoge
<p>I have two 79 AH batteries and need more for my present demand. I'm running a 45-watt pump 24/7. Three 195-watt panels are charging with about 5 hours of direct sunlight per day. Honestly, I don't know whether or not another battery would solve my deficiency. Mine is a good backup system (with reduced pumping) but won't stand alone pumping 24/7 without supplemental charging.<br></br> <br></br> <cite>Bob Vento said:…</cite></p>
<p>I have two 79 AH batteries and need more for my present demand. I'm running a 45-watt pump 24/7. Three 195-watt panels are charging with about 5 hours of direct sunlight per day. Honestly, I don't know whether or not another battery would solve my deficiency. Mine is a good backup system (with reduced pumping) but won't stand alone pumping 24/7 without supplemental charging.<br/> <br/> <cite>Bob Vento said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/our-system-is-running-on-solar-power?xg_source=activity#4778851Comment317850"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"> Maybe adding a second battery would help</div>
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