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Comment by Jacques L. on January 16, 2013 at 2:32pm

@Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr. (whew, that's a mouthful) ;)
Thanks for the Kudos!

@Matt
Went with 1 inch PVC merging two 8 foot lengths at the apex with x-coupling's and some PVC cement. Used 3 ft rebar driven into the ground 1/2 way then slipped the PVC over it. Base is 2x6x12 cedar that was secured using deck plates. 

As for the film cover, got that from Greenhouse Megastore http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/product/white-greenhouse-film-6m...

Originally I went with the 21x55ft which came out to roughly $195 with shipping.

Comment by Matt Miskinnis on January 16, 2013 at 1:23pm

@Jacques, that is awesome, was thinking of creating something similar myself.  Since I already copied your growbed I might as well just keep going 

What size PVC are you using and more importantly where did you get the solar film cover?  Was it expensive?

Comment by Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr. on January 16, 2013 at 1:10pm

@Jacques. Nice!

Comment by Matt Miskinnis on January 16, 2013 at 12:45pm

@Bob, thanks for the heater info, just bought the element and should be here before the weekend.  I'm looking at the designs you linked and will hopefully have something created and heating the tank this weekend.  I'm hoping the warmer water will help with the cycling, I'm still battling the ammonia which is still off the charts even after a complete water change.  I certainly learned my lesson with Ammonia...

Comment by Jacques L. on January 16, 2013 at 12:40pm

Progress!

My friend John and I took the job of getting the solar film cover put up on the AP greenhouse! Still need to finish up the end frames (and yes I was lazy and didn't get this up till AFTER the cold weather hit). But we both noticed a considerable improvement in the interior temperature after only having it up for about an hour. 

Plan on getting an internal/external temperature gauge to see the difference more easily.

Still need to to finish up wrapping the end frames (this upcoming weekend) but for the most part, the hoop house is nearly complete! Yay! 

Comment by Bob Campbell on January 16, 2013 at 7:46am

We all knew Monsanto's chemical world was no good.  Now they are finding out what it's like to fail

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/04/business/energy-environment/04wee...

Comment by Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr. on January 14, 2013 at 6:17pm

A modified UVI style  aquaponics system on the Gila River Indian Community showing growing rafts, start tables and fish tank details. Facility is now fully ammonia cycled and ready for production

Comment by John Malone on January 14, 2013 at 9:10am

Solar water heaters are no match for 4 days of sub-freezing temperatures.

My fish have been surviving quite nicely up until this week.   The water temperature has been at, or around, 55F and all is well with the world. 

These last few days have thrown all that out the window.  This morning, the fish tank water temperature was down to 47.3F.  With the solar water heating, I expect that to get back up to close to 50F by this afternoon, but another night of 30F will probably take it down to 46F or below.

I had a really good look at the fish this morning, as it is commonly said that tilapia can't survive below 50F.   Of the 40 (approximately) fish, two look very weak and I don't expect that they'll make it through the next two days.  Surprisingly enough, the majority of the fish look active (relatively) and seem to be coping with the low temperatures.

If the tilapia can survive the next two days, the solar water heater will slowly raise the temperature to more acceptable levels, and I think the worst of the winter will be behind us.

This is my first winter with Aquaponics and it's a heck of a time to have the coldest weather spell in over 20 years...  

Maybe there's a hidden blessing in this; the fish that do survive will be the most cold-tolerant individuals, which should be good for the spring breeding and subsequent winters.

In case you're wondering, my tilapia slowed eating at 70F and stopped at 60F.   They haven't eaten much in weeks, which concerns me a little, but according to many people, is not necessarily a problem for fish.   

This first year in aquaponics is certainly teaching me a lot.  I'll be a lot more prepared the second go around.

As far as the plants go, the freezing weather killed off the basil, peppers and chives.  Fair enough, although I had nearly a dozen good sized peppers that I should have picked but went to ruin.  *sigh*   The cool weather plants, broccoli, lettuce, leeks, shallots, cabbage and fennel weren't affected at all.    

Comment by Bob Campbell on January 14, 2013 at 8:44am

@Matt & Jeremy - It's all about learning what works and what doesn't at first.   I have come to realize heaters and lights are fun, but realistically they cost too much to run.  Planting in season crops is the way to go.  Winter is slow.  That's just the way it is.  Canning and root crops have traditionally been the way to survive till Spring.  In your case you are lucky because unless you are in the mountains; AZ has a short Winter.  So maybe just getting through a few cold months is worth raising warm water fish.

Matt if you should look into a stainless steel heater,  120-1500-ELD. 

This one is available at http://www.plumbingsupply.com/elements.html

Robb Nash built a really nice heater.  Here's a link to that thread.

I'll caution you about this heater design.  The cord must be at the bottom because bubbles come of the element and fill the small area where the element is inserted.  Even this small amount of air will burn the element out.  It must remain fully immersed.  Here is another design.

Comment by Jeremy K on January 14, 2013 at 1:08am

The freezing temps got me..... Everything got froze..... It's ok... Time for clearing and new planting....

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