Polystyrene floats in DWC - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-28T11:15:53Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/forum/topics/polystyrene-floats-in-dwc?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A341256&feed=yes&xn_auth=noIm researching about Dow styr…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2015-04-17:4778851:Comment:6032482015-04-17T15:38:04.514Zoscar ponce gonzalezhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/oscarponcegonzalez
<p>Im researching about Dow styrofoam and I find this:</p>
<p>what do you think?? do you trust Dow?</p>
<p></p>
<p>Regards </p>
<p>Oscar</p>
<p><strong>New Flame Retardant for Polystyrene-Too Much Like the Old?</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www2.buildinggreen.com/article/new-flame-retardant-polystyrene-too-much-old" target="_blank">https://www2.buildinggreen.com/article/new-flame-retardant-polystyrene-too-much-old</a></p>
<p><strong>PBT Chemicals-Persistent, Bioaccumulative,…</strong></p>
<p>Im researching about Dow styrofoam and I find this:</p>
<p>what do you think?? do you trust Dow?</p>
<p></p>
<p>Regards </p>
<p>Oscar</p>
<p><strong>New Flame Retardant for Polystyrene-Too Much Like the Old?</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www2.buildinggreen.com/article/new-flame-retardant-polystyrene-too-much-old" target="_blank">https://www2.buildinggreen.com/article/new-flame-retardant-polystyrene-too-much-old</a></p>
<p><strong>PBT Chemicals-Persistent, Bioaccumulative, Toxic</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www2.buildinggreen.com/article/pbt-chemicals-persistent-bioaccumulative-toxic" target="_blank">https://www2.buildinggreen.com/article/pbt-chemicals-persistent-bioaccumulative-toxic</a></p>
<p><strong>New Flame Retardants Less Toxic but Still Persistent, Says EPA</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www2.buildinggreen.com/article/new-flame-retardants-less-toxic-still-persistent-says-epa" target="_blank">https://www2.buildinggreen.com/article/new-flame-retardants-less-toxic-still-persistent-says-epa</a></p> Have you gotten those rafts g…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-03-12:4778851:Comment:5527322014-03-12T00:29:23.894Zwilson catonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/wilsoncaton
<p>Have you gotten those rafts going. We need 800sf in richmond va</p>
<p>Have you gotten those rafts going. We need 800sf in richmond va</p> Me too!
Paul Phillip Meyer…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-01-04:4778851:Comment:5394592014-01-04T22:36:03.904ZSonja Martin Younghttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/SonjaMartinYoung
Me too! <br></br>
<br></br>
<cite>Paul Phillip Meyer said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/polystyrene-floats-in-dwc?xg_source=activity&id=4778851%3ATopic%3A335191&page=8#4778851Comment539615"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Hey Jon!</p>
<p></p>
<p>Is your site up to sell them? I know the last time we talked you were working on that and I'm interested in purchasing some rafts. Let us all know if they are available. I'm seeking around 50.…<br></br></p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
Me too! <br/>
<br/>
<cite>Paul Phillip Meyer said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/polystyrene-floats-in-dwc?xg_source=activity&id=4778851%3ATopic%3A335191&page=8#4778851Comment539615"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Hey Jon!</p>
<p></p>
<p>Is your site up to sell them? I know the last time we talked you were working on that and I'm interested in purchasing some rafts. Let us all know if they are available. I'm seeking around 50.<br/> <br/> <cite>Jon Parr said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/polystyrene-floats-in-dwc?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A489717&xg_source=activity#4778851Comment489710"><div><div class="xg_user_generated">Try Beaver Plastics in Canada<br/> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.bpgrower.com/lettuceraft.html" target="_blank">http://www.bpgrower.com/lettuceraft.html</a><br/> <br/> I used to use them, and they are a far better deal than Dow BB. They are cheaper to buy initially, no labor of cutting holes, and last longer. The only reason I can fathom to use BB is if you want it today, and didn't think of ordering the proper rafts ahead of time (I'm very guilty of that, for sure).<br/> <br/> I am making my own rafts now, available in about a month. Mine are stronger (thicker), and use a clever strategy to double your production, by staggering the 18 hole layout to 36 holes and a delayed planting on the second group of 18. This literally doubles production, with no transplanting, and no bare raft space.</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote> Hey Jon!
Is your site up to…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-01-04:4778851:Comment:5396152014-01-04T21:00:01.137ZPaul Phillip Meyerhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/PaulPhillipMeyer
<p>Hey Jon!</p>
<p></p>
<p>Is your site up to sell them? I know the last time we talked you were working on that and I'm interested in purchasing some rafts. Let us all know if they are available. I'm seeking around 50.<br></br> <br></br> <cite>Jon Parr said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/polystyrene-floats-in-dwc?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A489717&xg_source=activity#4778851Comment489710"><div><div class="xg_user_generated">Try Beaver Plastics…</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Hey Jon!</p>
<p></p>
<p>Is your site up to sell them? I know the last time we talked you were working on that and I'm interested in purchasing some rafts. Let us all know if they are available. I'm seeking around 50.<br/> <br/> <cite>Jon Parr said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/polystyrene-floats-in-dwc?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A489717&xg_source=activity#4778851Comment489710"><div><div class="xg_user_generated">Try Beaver Plastics in Canada<br/> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.bpgrower.com/lettuceraft.html" target="_blank">http://www.bpgrower.com/lettuceraft.html</a><br/> <br/> I used to use them, and they are a far better deal than Dow BB. They are cheaper to buy initially, no labor of cutting holes, and last longer. The only reason I can fathom to use BB is if you want it today, and didn't think of ordering the proper rafts ahead of time (I'm very guilty of that, for sure).<br/> <br/> I am making my own rafts now, available in about a month. Mine are stronger (thicker), and use a clever strategy to double your production, by staggering the 18 hole layout to 36 holes and a delayed planting on the second group of 18. This literally doubles production, with no transplanting, and no bare raft space.</div>
</div>
</blockquote> That is a great question. I…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-08-21:4778851:Comment:5069942013-08-21T13:35:05.652ZTradewindhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/GaryOdom
<p>That is a great question. I went through the same problems myself. In the end, I decided to use 4" drain pipe with 2" holes that would accommodate 2"net pots. Works great with my overflow controlling the level in the pipe just the bottom of my baskets are in the water. I can put as many plants in the same horizontal space as one can in a raft system. You can place plants as close as 4" apart if you wanted, but I just use the one pipe 18 ft long since my system is rather…</p>
<p>That is a great question. I went through the same problems myself. In the end, I decided to use 4" drain pipe with 2" holes that would accommodate 2"net pots. Works great with my overflow controlling the level in the pipe just the bottom of my baskets are in the water. I can put as many plants in the same horizontal space as one can in a raft system. You can place plants as close as 4" apart if you wanted, but I just use the one pipe 18 ft long since my system is rather small.</p>
<p><br/> <cite>Miles Perryman said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/polystyrene-floats-in-dwc#4778851Comment338117"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>What thickness is most common in DWC raft system? 2" ? and how do I get the Blue Board, Lowes and HD dont carry over 1" thickness.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote> I use 2" and i found a local…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-08-19:4778851:Comment:5063812013-08-19T22:32:13.256ZBrandon Messengerhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/BrandonMessenger
<p>I use 2" and i found a local foam fabricator to get mine from <a href="http://www.sanantoniofoam.com/index.shtml">http://www.sanantoniofoam.com/index.shtml</a> not sure what area of the world you're in, but hopefully that helps.</p>
<p>I use 2" and i found a local foam fabricator to get mine from <a href="http://www.sanantoniofoam.com/index.shtml">http://www.sanantoniofoam.com/index.shtml</a> not sure what area of the world you're in, but hopefully that helps.</p> Hehe. "Where there's a whip..…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-07-02:4778851:Comment:4897792013-07-02T12:02:58.999ZJon Parrhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JonParr
<p>Hehe. "Where there's a whip...(whoopeesh)...there's a way", as I hum softly to myself staring out over my sea of celery cresting like white-caps over the minions of lesser greens; all lorded over by the interns...</p>
<p></p>
<p>Sonja, I positively will have them for sale when ready, but I have no idea what shipping is. You may have to stick with BB . I can also say that I do paint my rafts (at least), and if I only had a few to do, I would coat them in epoxy resin, pigmented your color of…</p>
<p>Hehe. "Where there's a whip...(whoopeesh)...there's a way", as I hum softly to myself staring out over my sea of celery cresting like white-caps over the minions of lesser greens; all lorded over by the interns...</p>
<p></p>
<p>Sonja, I positively will have them for sale when ready, but I have no idea what shipping is. You may have to stick with BB . I can also say that I do paint my rafts (at least), and if I only had a few to do, I would coat them in epoxy resin, pigmented your color of choice.</p>
<p></p>
<p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/YdXQJS3Yv0Y?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe>
</p> My goodness...350,000 square…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-07-02:4778851:Comment:4897742013-07-02T08:02:23.887ZVlad Jovanovichttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/VladJovanovic
<p>My goodness...350,000 square feet of greenhouse space...and you're trying to double up on raft space! Man, that <em>is</em> commendable <img src="http://www.bkserv.net/images/Grin.gif"></img> Lord help those poor interns...<br></br> <br></br> <cite>Jon Parr said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/polystyrene-floats-in-dwc?xg_source=activity&id=4778851%3ATopic%3A335191&page=7#4778851Comment489710"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><br></br> <br></br> I am making my own rafts now, available in…</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>My goodness...350,000 square feet of greenhouse space...and you're trying to double up on raft space! Man, that <em>is</em> commendable <img src="http://www.bkserv.net/images/Grin.gif"/> Lord help those poor interns...<br/> <br/> <cite>Jon Parr said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/polystyrene-floats-in-dwc?xg_source=activity&id=4778851%3ATopic%3A335191&page=7#4778851Comment489710"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><br/> <br/> I am making my own rafts now, available in about a month. Mine are stronger (thicker), and use a clever strategy to double your production, by staggering the 18 hole layout to 36 holes and a delayed planting on the second group of 18. This literally doubles production, with no transplanting, and no bare raft space.</div>
</div>
</blockquote> I will look into Beaver Rafts…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-07-02:4778851:Comment:4898382013-07-02T05:57:12.278ZSonja Martin Younghttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/SonjaMartinYoung
I will look into Beaver Rafts. Are they the ones they use at Colorado Aquaponics? I did like those and since I haven't started yet I can do whatever I want for plugs. My experience in the past is that shipping from Canada is worse than anywhere in the US but I will check on it since it sounds like I will be needing to order something. Jon, are you designing rafts to sell? I would be very interested in hearing more about yours. My mantra these days is "when I buy it, it will last for long while"…
I will look into Beaver Rafts. Are they the ones they use at Colorado Aquaponics? I did like those and since I haven't started yet I can do whatever I want for plugs. My experience in the past is that shipping from Canada is worse than anywhere in the US but I will check on it since it sounds like I will be needing to order something. Jon, are you designing rafts to sell? I would be very interested in hearing more about yours. My mantra these days is "when I buy it, it will last for long while" But this sure is a spendy project this far north. Thank you all for the help so far! I think perhaps the Beaver ra…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-07-02:4778851:Comment:4899112013-07-02T03:00:02.118ZTCLynxhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/TCLynx
<p>I think perhaps the Beaver rafts would be good for some one in Alaska since they are manufactured in Canada so the shipping might not be as bad as something manufactured in the middle of the lower 48 somewhere. And as noted, the purpose built rafts don't require the added labor of cutting and painting them. However, they do require appropriately shaped plugs to plant in them.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I didn't go with the Beaver Rafts because to get an order shipped to me here in FL would require me…</p>
<p>I think perhaps the Beaver rafts would be good for some one in Alaska since they are manufactured in Canada so the shipping might not be as bad as something manufactured in the middle of the lower 48 somewhere. And as noted, the purpose built rafts don't require the added labor of cutting and painting them. However, they do require appropriately shaped plugs to plant in them.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I didn't go with the Beaver Rafts because to get an order shipped to me here in FL would require me buying an entire truck load, and my operation only uses a small amount of raft bed and I have no place to store most of a truck load of rafts at this time. Eve ordering a small quantity of them from the guys in Cali who have part of a truck load for sale is a bit much on the shipping for me right now and I use round pellets for my planting so the holes in the Beaver rafts are the wrong shape for me.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I have a local place I can go get 1" thick blueboard sheets at and the tapered drill bit to make the right size holes for my pellets so that is what I do.</p>
<p></p>
<p>There are other companies out there selling plastic rafts that float like boats and are made out of plant based plastic that is supposedly bio-degradable. But they couldn't tell me how the plastic knew when it was supposed to bio-degrade so I wasn't willing to spend a bunch of money on something that I feared would start decomposing in my AP system while I was still wanting to make use of it. My experience being that everything composts quicker in contact with aquaponic water since aquaponics is full of most of those same microbes that do the decomposing in compost and soil and there is also plenty of nitrogen on hand so any carbon materials seem to turn to rich gooy stuff in a hurry.<a rel="nofollow" style="cursor: pointer;"><img src="http://www.bkserv.net/images/Grin.gif"/></a></p>