not the most cost effective greenhouse you ever heard of

[redox]

Heres the growth up date for tonight [IMG][/IMG]

[redox]

or maybe this will show it better[IMG][/IMG]

[H20ENG]

Nice Doug.
I love how you can see the new nubs poking through the base getting ready to form new branches. Awesome.

[redox]

this is my favorite fish right now[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

[JCTewks]

that clown tang doesn't seem to want to turn the right way for a good picture

[redox]

that is good because it means hes activly doing his job hes so fat in the second pic his stripes show it

[Mr James]

I can't send you a PM, so I will post it here. I am going to do a hobbyist greenhouse (or whatever you call it up here in the frigid north) for now and I like your panels (polycarbonate). It will most likely be a room with lots of skylights and windows. Now I need to figure out if I can use the poly panels up here where temps in the winter can get into -20F and lower. Your GH is an inspiration to me. Thanks for sharing.

[castor]

redox, I was going to ask you about your polycarb, does it block UV like most on the market or did you find some that don't and if so where at?

[redox]

these panels that i used are from FARMTEK.com. They block some uv,dont remember the exact%. I dont use any shade cloth on them. I would think they would work in a cold place, but condesation on the inside of the panel might cause you some problems in the winter months. I wish I would have put some sort of interior gutter system to catch the runoff. I might still do it as winter is on the way and so is the condensation problem for me

[Jimbo327]

If it gets to freezing temps, how the hell is the sun going to shine through the snow? I think you better not build a greenhouse in the frigid North.

[rustybucket145]

Coralsicles!

[castor]

No, snow on the roof is not a worry as it melts as it hits it. With the greenhouse keeping steady warm temps the polycarb keeps a temp above freezing thus the snow melts off pretty quickly. Think of it like in your car with the heater running, the glass is kept warm and snow and ice continually melt off. Even during a snow storm a GH puts off enough heat that it will keep melting enough that there won't be much build up and any that does will slough off once it stops snowing.

[redox]

I agree with you on that Castor. I dont think the snow will be able to stick if your inside temps are good. I really like the insulative gualities these panels have. We had some cold days last winter where it got down to the teens and it was toasty warn in the gh. When its that cold outside I run a dehumidifier for heat. Also 2 1000w titanium heaters,but thats it. With all the pumps and other electrical things you get plenty of warmth from them. I discontinue use of the vent fan in the winter

[Mr James]

So I should be okay?? I am thinking it won't be a problem. But I am trying to understand what to have on the inside of the poly panels, what kind of insulation. I was thinking of a plastic liner on the inside, but I just don't know. I will probably post something on a different post. BTW redox, there is a guy up here who is also from the OBX. He told me his location, but I forget.

[redox]

i put plastic up the first winter but didnt do it last winter. Its like a rain storm in there . It really dosnt hurt anything,well as long as electrical equipment is protected. I take apart anything electrical and spray the inside, curcuit boards included with CRC brand HEAVY DUTY CORROTION INHIBITOR . It works great and moisture cant get trough. I trust it sooo much that I sprayed the inside of my tunze controller $$$$$ and I havent had any problems with it at all. The stuff is majic and will save you alot of money in wet electronics

[Mr James]

I plan to build a new garage (need one anyway) and put the lean-to on the south side of it. Lots of great info here redox. keep the faith man!!!

[redox]

Im glad you are getting something from this. Anything I can do to help? I have no secrets here

[redox]

took these durring a rain storm[IMG][/IMG] It shows how the panels attach too the roof
this pic is a standard 4x8 span[IMG][/IMG]
this pic shows 2 things ,the panels on a corner and the amount of condensation that is always present[IMG][/IMG]

[redox]

cant ventilate humidity when its 100% outside[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
this is what controlls inside air durring the summer.durring winter its off line[IMG][/IMG]

[redox]

well this is a subject that has gotten me in trouble in the past. Here are pics that show why I feel so strongly about rust[IMG][/IMG]
the fan slings salt laden humidity everywhere[IMG][/IMG]
my poor r.o. unit is getting tested for longevity[IMG][/IMG]

[redox]

In fact all electrical hardware is getting the test. When I take that air controller offline soon chances are it wont work next season. I took an 03 unit offline that cost me about 1700bucks and tried too fire it up the other day. well it makes just about the best door stop youve ever seen. Ive gone through a ton of those lowes lifetime warranty fan motors good thing they dont ask you what your using it for heck the fan on the gable has its days numbered right now. It keeps tripping the gfci and I have too plug it in on a non gfci to get it too run more. Once it runs for a few minutes and rids itself of the moisture I can re-plug it into the controller

[redox]

heres where I voided the warranty on my seaswirls[IMG][/IMG]

[RRodrigues]

Nice photos redox, how many tanks are you running there? Are you propagating soft corals? What's your water changes schedule?

thank you for sharing

[redox]

this is a direct closed loop that runs a heavy day cycle and only cycles 2 times durring the night. gsps,lps,zoes,leathers,and just about all the worst bugs you would never want to see[IMG][/IMG]

[redox]

I went back and looked at the poly panels that i bought and wow they went way up since I bought them. And... they claim that it wont condesate inside? thats crazzy I wish I had that in writing? I void the warranty of everthing I touch anyway so what the heck