Comment

Comment by David Lindemann on July 1, 2011 at 12:18pm

Yes, this is based on the Friendly Aquaponics system.  They use the same liner and similar materials.  I used a mixture of what was in my garage and what was the least expensive.  When I saw landscape timbers on sale for $1.97 each, I bought 50 of them.  My troughs are about 35 ft long and the cost for 2x6 versus 2x4 is a difference of about $20 per trough, but I think the 2x6 troughs seem a lot straighter and a lot stronger, but they will both be strong enough.  I also added a 6 inch 2x4 inside each post for additional support of the top rail and a spacer to keep the blue board evenly spaced along the sides of the liner.

Comment by Dustin Donham on July 1, 2011 at 8:21am

Thanks for the detailed answer. I am going to build a home garden and if i am successful with that I would like to eventually move into commercial farming, growing lettuce. I am trying to figure out the best way to build a quality system on a budget. Did you base yours on the FriendlyAquaponics.com system?

Comment by David Lindemann on June 30, 2011 at 4:44pm

The troughs are made of pressure treated wood and dow blue board all painted with a light blue exterior paint. The posts are 4 ft. long landscape timbers, the top rail is 2x6 or 2x4 (tried both), and the sides are 1/2" dow blue board.  I used a Dura-skrim liner - http://www.greenacreorganics.biz/index.php/what-we-offer/system-sales/

Above the liner is a non-treated 1" by 2" darker blue painted board that is not pressure treated.  This is nailed down by stainless steel siding nails and holds the liner in place.

Comment by Dustin Donham on June 30, 2011 at 7:02am

Hi Dave I would like to know what methotd you used to construct the troughs? Is it wood with a rubber or plastic liner?  What are the advantages/disadvantages of using this type of materials ?

 

Comment by Green Acre Aquaponics on June 29, 2011 at 8:58pm

Looks awesome Dave!  Whoot!  Whoot!  You rock offspring!  Lol.