Rafts for DWC - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-28T18:39:42Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/forum/topics/rafts-for-dwc?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A8773&xg_source=msg_com_forum&feed=yes&xn_auth=noIm researching about Dow styr…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2015-04-17:4778851:Comment:6033552015-04-17T16:16:14.037Zoscar 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" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www2.buildinggreen.com/article/new-flame-retardant-polystyr...</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 rel="nofollow" href="https://www2.buildinggreen.com/article/new-flame-retardant-polystyrene-too-much-old" target="_blank">https://www2.buildinggreen.com/article/new-flame-retardant-polystyr...</a></p>
<p><strong>PBT Chemicals-Persistent, Bioaccumulative, Toxic</strong></p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www2.buildinggreen.com/article/pbt-chemicals-persistent-bioaccumulative-toxic" target="_blank">https://www2.buildinggreen.com/article/pbt-chemicals-persistent-bio...</a></p>
<p><strong>New Flame Retardants Less Toxic but Still Persistent, Says EPA</strong></p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" 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-to...</a></p> Cosmo gave me one of the old…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-04-21:4778851:Comment:3232772012-04-21T00:55:50.791ZTCLynxhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/TCLynx
<p>Cosmo gave me one of the old liners, I don't remember who he called to get it. It leaked though so I don't really recommend them.</p>
<p>Cosmo gave me one of the old liners, I don't remember who he called to get it. It leaked though so I don't really recommend them.</p> Just read this post and am wo…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-04-18:4778851:Comment:3220752012-04-18T13:22:30.917ZDan Pontonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/danielponton
<p>Just read this post and am wondering how the sealed PVC worked out? I am going to try that also but don't know if 1/2 or 3/4 would be the correct size.</p>
<p>Where do you get old billboard material?<br></br> <br></br> <cite>TCLynx said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/rafts-for-dwc?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A19075#4778851Comment20375"><div><div class="xg_user_generated">Ok, here I go on a new experiment!<br></br> <br></br> I now have a big raft bed to experiment…</div>
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<p>Just read this post and am wondering how the sealed PVC worked out? I am going to try that also but don't know if 1/2 or 3/4 would be the correct size.</p>
<p>Where do you get old billboard material?<br/> <br/> <cite>TCLynx said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/rafts-for-dwc?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A19075#4778851Comment20375"><div><div class="xg_user_generated">Ok, here I go on a new experiment!<br/> <br/> I now have a big raft bed to experiment with. Well it's not plumbed in yet and I notice the used billboard liner leaks a little where small abrasions or pin holes have damaged it but are for the most part too small to really see. Not sure if it will work long term but I'll try testing it out for a bit, I can always turn it into a bed wicking bed for dirt gardening if I decide the raft method doesn't work for me.<br/> <br/> So does anyone know exactly what kind of paint is food safe for the rafts?<br/> <br/> I'm going to experiment with a few different possibilities for rafts. The bed is about 36 inches wide so I figure a 32 inch wide raft would be appropriate which is conveniently an 8' long board cut in thirds. (the bed is long enough for six 4' long rafts at that width.)<br/> <br/> I'm still a big fan of using rayon mop string wicks in net pots to allow for starting seeds directly in net pots and I've also found that a peat pellet dropped onto the wick in a net pot will stay moist enough to keep a seedling going till it's roots reach down to the water. I've found that the peat pellets stay nicely moist using capillary fabric with an end hanging into a trough of water so this is a great way to start lots of seeds in a small shelf space. I'll be testing other seed starting methods on the capillary fabric as I can.<br/> <br/> I do like the idea (in my system since I've got plenty of bio filter and solids filter in my grow beds) of suspending the rafts above the water so that I don't need to add lots of extra aeration to the beds. However, my bed construction won't support too much weight on it's edges or allow for easy sliding of anything resting on those edges so I still need to figure some way to FLOAT the plat supports. I might try a square of sealed up PVC pipes to support a board with holes. I also want to sort out some way to float the rectangle seed trays for growing baby salad mix ans such (this sort of use might be the most useful to me.)<br/> <br/> Looking for other creative ideas too.</div>
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</blockquote> No, didn't find any alternati…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-06-13:4778851:Comment:1313312011-06-13T20:26:44.423ZMichelle Silvahttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/MichelleSilva
<div class="description xj_comment_editor" id="desc_4778851Comment131241"><p>No, didn't find any alternative that would work easily.</p>
<p>I just reread my previous post and have to laugh. I didn't realize it was perlite floating that I was seeing in the raft tanks and not the styrofoam...the reg styrofoam boards are holding up pretty good and none were painted, but I do think I should have painted them right away..it really helps to protect them..still working on getting them all…</p>
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<div class="description xj_comment_editor" id="desc_4778851Comment131241"><p>No, didn't find any alternative that would work easily.</p>
<p>I just reread my previous post and have to laugh. I didn't realize it was perlite floating that I was seeing in the raft tanks and not the styrofoam...the reg styrofoam boards are holding up pretty good and none were painted, but I do think I should have painted them right away..it really helps to protect them..still working on getting them all done..</p>
<p>I think wood has been used by others on this board (with a gap, which I guess you then need to make sure net pot or whatever you use can touch water and wick up)..maybe it was Chi from Hawaii who might have had that...may be a good alternative if one won't be lifting the rafts off system to harvest.</p>
<p>Let me know what you find out..thanks.</p>
<p>BTW, don't use perlite media..I use a little mixed w/ coco coir.. the perlite wasn't making it back to the fish tanks but not sure if it possibly will still affect the fish</p>
</div> Earth Solutions "Farm in a Bo…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-06-13:4778851:Comment:1314332011-06-13T19:53:55.902ZRebecca Bhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RebeccaBranham
Earth Solutions "Farm in a Box" uses wood boards with holes drilled for the net pots. It would need to be untreated wood, and the question would be how long before it rots from constantly being wet.
Earth Solutions "Farm in a Box" uses wood boards with holes drilled for the net pots. It would need to be untreated wood, and the question would be how long before it rots from constantly being wet. Hi Michelle,
I have similar…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-06-13:4778851:Comment:1314292011-06-13T18:46:18.879ZDave Lovehttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/DaveLove
<p>Hi Michelle, </p>
<p>I have similar concerns as you about env. sustainability and human toxicity of DBB and for that matter any plastic with direct exposure to UV. Did you arrive at a suitable raft that doesn't degrade and that you feel good about? I posted a question today to another thread about using wood as a raft to see if others have worked with it. I'm building my system now, and would like to compare wood to DBB. </p>
<p>Dave</p>
<p><br></br> <cite>Michelle Silva…</cite></p>
<p>Hi Michelle, </p>
<p>I have similar concerns as you about env. sustainability and human toxicity of DBB and for that matter any plastic with direct exposure to UV. Did you arrive at a suitable raft that doesn't degrade and that you feel good about? I posted a question today to another thread about using wood as a raft to see if others have worked with it. I'm building my system now, and would like to compare wood to DBB. </p>
<p>Dave</p>
<p><br/>
<cite>Michelle Silva said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/rafts-for-dwc#4778851Comment8365"><div>HI Ernie,<br/> Thanks for you reply..wow,how weird, I have this catalog and was just looking at this page earlier today!<br/>
I think I'm more comfortable for some reaon w/ the styrofoam than with foam. It rolls up so would think it wouldn't be easily lifted, although could work if not lifting out of the system.<br/>
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<cite>ernie.j said:</cite><br />
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/rafts-for-dwc?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A8362&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4778851Comment8362"><div>Have you considered Farmtek STK#109243 cross linked HDPE foam made for floating raft lettuce systems?<br/><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.esapco.com/1070/f/p074-075.swf" target="_blank">http://www.esapco.com/1070/f/p074-075.swf</a><br/><br/> <object height="100" width="100%" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><embed wmode="opaque" height="100" width="100%" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="never"></embed> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="never"></param><param name="wmode" value="opaque"></param></object>
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</blockquote> I've been warned against pink…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-05-03:4778851:Comment:1030152011-05-03T02:26:09.938ZRebecca Bhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RebeccaBranham
I've been warned against pink or white polyisocyanate rigid insulation boards. Someone knows someone who had a bad experience with the fish after making rafts from them. When I did a Google search for "polyisocyanate," I was taken to the OwensCorning Foamular 150. 150, not 250.........
I've been warned against pink or white polyisocyanate rigid insulation boards. Someone knows someone who had a bad experience with the fish after making rafts from them. When I did a Google search for "polyisocyanate," I was taken to the OwensCorning Foamular 150. 150, not 250......... Oh, never mind.. I just saw t…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-05-02:4778851:Comment:1024402011-05-02T18:48:14.094ZMichelle Silvahttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/MichelleSilva
Oh, never mind.. I just saw that it was the pink was that is at that great price..ok, thanks for posting.<br></br>
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<cite>Michelle Silva said:</cite><br />
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/comment/show?id=4778851%3AComment%3A102810&xn_out=json&firstPage=0&lastPage=1&_=1304362044503&xg_token=2e487142b9056242da6e8e4dd767a76e#4778851Comment102810"><div><p>WOW! around $17 a sheet, I think when I checked it out it was around $30. That was the main reason why I…</p>
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Oh, never mind.. I just saw that it was the pink was that is at that great price..ok, thanks for posting.<br/>
<br/>
<cite>Michelle Silva said:</cite><br />
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/comment/show?id=4778851%3AComment%3A102810&xn_out=json&firstPage=0&lastPage=1&_=1304362044503&xg_token=2e487142b9056242da6e8e4dd767a76e#4778851Comment102810"><div><p>WOW! around $17 a sheet, I think when I checked it out it was around $30. That was the main reason why I went with the reg open cell 2" styrofoam. I had a friend that knew someone w/ a hydro raft system (not AP) that used it and said his rafts lasted years..maybe it's different with aquaponics. I was willing to take a chance, as this was all a huge experiment for me being that I researched and pretty much designed a hybrid system by just piecing info from many sources.</p>
<p>BTW, I wrote in an earlier post in this thread that the underside of the rafts weren't building any slime and I didn't think that the rafts were acting as biofilters.. I didn't realize at the time that the brown stuff is the benefical bacteria, so it is there <a rel="nofollow" style="cursor: pointer;"><img src="http://www.bkserv.net/images/Grin.gif"/></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>The rafts are now getting painted on the tops only and slightly around top edges.. doing it while they are wet .I don't want the beneficial stuff to dye..the paint gets absorbed, but couldn't figure out a better way (they've already been on the water for many months now), They are holding up so so, I do see little flecks of styrofoam on the side edges. They were put on the water I think it was sometime around the end of September (?)</p>
<p> </p>
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</blockquote> WOW! around $17 a sheet, I th…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-05-02:4778851:Comment:1028102011-05-02T18:47:18.879ZMichelle Silvahttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/MichelleSilva
<p>WOW! around $17 a sheet, I think when I checked it out it was around $30. That was the main reason why I went with the reg open cell 2" styrofoam. I had a friend that knew someone w/ a hydro raft system (not AP) that used it and said his rafts lasted years..maybe it's different with aquaponics. I was willing to take a chance, as this was all a huge experiment for me being that I researched and pretty much designed a hybrid system by just piecing info from many sources.</p>
<p>BTW, I wrote in…</p>
<p>WOW! around $17 a sheet, I think when I checked it out it was around $30. That was the main reason why I went with the reg open cell 2" styrofoam. I had a friend that knew someone w/ a hydro raft system (not AP) that used it and said his rafts lasted years..maybe it's different with aquaponics. I was willing to take a chance, as this was all a huge experiment for me being that I researched and pretty much designed a hybrid system by just piecing info from many sources.</p>
<p>BTW, I wrote in an earlier post in this thread that the underside of the rafts weren't building any slime and I didn't think that the rafts were acting as biofilters.. I didn't realize at the time that the brown stuff is the benefical bacteria, so it is there <a style="cursor: pointer;"><img src="http://www.bkserv.net/images/Grin.gif"/></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>The rafts are now getting painted on the tops only and slightly around top edges.. doing it while they are wet .I don't want the beneficial stuff to dye..the paint gets absorbed, but couldn't figure out a better way (they've already been on the water for many months now), They are holding up so so, I do see little flecks of styrofoam on the side edges. They were put on the water I think it was sometime around the end of September (?)</p>
<p> </p> For everyone's intellectual c…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-05-02:4778851:Comment:1028082011-05-02T18:25:00.990ZMike Konshakhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/MikeKonshak
For everyone's intellectual curiosity, I attached the material Safety Data Sheets for both the blue Dow extruded polystyrene (aka Dow Blue Board - DBB) and the pink Owens-Corning Foamular 250 XPS equivalent (BTW the OC has a higher R rating of 10 for a 2" thick board and compared to Dows R-2) which is available at Home depot for $17.27 2"x24"x96". Note that these are 24" wide when comparing prices with the 48" wide DBB. I went to the Lowes site and although they show the Dow product they list…
For everyone's intellectual curiosity, I attached the material Safety Data Sheets for both the blue Dow extruded polystyrene (aka Dow Blue Board - DBB) and the pink Owens-Corning Foamular 250 XPS equivalent (BTW the OC has a higher R rating of 10 for a 2" thick board and compared to Dows R-2) which is available at Home depot for $17.27 2"x24"x96". Note that these are 24" wide when comparing prices with the 48" wide DBB. I went to the Lowes site and although they show the Dow product they list it as unavailable.<a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772180070?profile=original"><img width="276" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772180070?profile=original" class="align-full"/></a><img width="300" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772179935?profile=original" class="align-full"/><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772180229?profile=original"></a>