Aquaponic Gardening

A Community and Forum For Aquaponic Gardeners

Brad Howard
  • Male
  • Mount Juliet, TN
  • United States
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Brad Howard's Discussions

Solar Greenhouse Design and Construction for Low Energy Use - Heating & Cooling

Started this discussion. Last reply by World traveler Nov 30, 2012. 8 Replies

I have been trying to educate myself on Solar Greenhouse design that would allow me to grow year round with little additional cost for cooling or heating. I live just outside Nashville, TN.  I…Continue

Tags: Design., Solar, Energy, Cooling, Subterranean

 

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aquaponics
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No
If so, what type of system? (pick all that apply)
flood and drain media, vertical

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At 7:04pm on September 1, 2012, TCLynx said…

Zipgrow tower set ups do need to be checked daily to make sure no tower feeds have clogged since the heat would kill a tower full of plants if it was left clogged for several days.  For my large zipgrow tower systems one of the daily tasks is to walk past the towers and make sure they are all flowing and unclog the occasional feed.

There are a few tricks I've learned to help improve the chances that the flows won't clog constantly.
Here is a video after I figured out the first trick (water bottles fit over 1/2" pvc)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlNNigDP5l0&feature=share&list=UUMVQ0dIbzCJzhpkcJdbx9Qg

The next trick I've figured out is to cut a slit in the cap instead of drilling a single hole.  See the snail shells tend to clog a round hole but a slit doesn't clog quite so perfectly with just a snail shell.

Another thing that seems to help is to send the flow to the towers intermittently.  I do this by using a diversion valve to sent he water to one bank of towers and then to the other bank of towers, this seem to let clogs pass some on their own without requiring intervention all the time.

Out of 70 towers I might only need to clear between one or a few per day.

Towers are not something I recommend for some one who wants to ignore their system completely for days on end.

At 11:46am on July 29, 2011, Nate Storey said…

Hi Brad,

I'll answer any questions you have, if I can!

At 10:26am on May 5, 2011, Sylvia Bernstein said…

Hi Brad.  I can't really help you with the greenhouse.  I recommend you contact a professional greenhouse installer in your area (i.e. climate) and have a chat with them.  I'd just be dangerous!

Paula is actually a member of this site (although she hasn't been active) so you can try sending her a message through here.  Her husband, Tom, passed away a number of years ago.

At 9:21am on May 5, 2011, Sylvia Bernstein said…

Welcome Brad,


Thanks for joining the Aquaponic Gardening community!  I hope you find it a fun place to explore aquaponics.  There is a real blend of experienced and new aquapons in this community, so please don’t hesitate to get in there and start asking questions.  Everyone is quite happy to help out new members – no question is too basic.  


A great place to start is to read the “How to Use This Site” link on the upper right corner, “Start Here” section of the Main page.  You might also find the “Aquaponic Gardening Rules of Thumb” guidelines helpful.


Please add a profile image, participate and check in with us every day!  We are constantly posting news about aquaponics and the good food movement.


Thanks again for joining us, and I look forward to getting to know you.


Sylvia

 
 
 

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