[scubadude]

or atleast have better odds of less losses. As some of you already know I have been through 2 greenhouses already, the most recent one being destroyed by Hurricane Charley. I look at this as a perfect oppurtunity to improve my plans so back to the drawing board. Here are some of the ideas I have and Im hoping others especially ones who know about building exp. or have greenhouses or just have ideas can expand on these ideas.

• Bows (half moon shaped framework for the ceiling) - usually they are spaced 4'-6' apart but Im thinking about spacing them closer to reinforce.
• concrete footers? - I know I will have more building permit cost but as my last 2 GH I dug a hole where every post was and concreted the hole, i didnt pour a footer.
• Tanks - I had glass tanks (now they are trashed) and love glass tanks but it just doesnt seem effecient for a greenhouse. I would apt to go with acrylic but its so hard to clean acrylic w/out scratching. The rubbermade tubs would be great but they are black and attract heat (i have also thought about painting them w/ a white epoxy or sealant. Another reason I liked the glass is because the sides of the tanks transmitted light.
• More cross braces - These go between the Bows and add greater structural strength and I can put as many as I want between all the bows but this is more cost and also makes the cage/framework cause more shading onto the tanks

The main thing is to make the GH have less breakable stuff inside it. And cost effeciently to rebuild the things that are more prone to be damaged. I have also thought it might be better off in the long run to make a building with lots of skylights. There are alot of things that are gonna be contigent upon the money I will have to do this and It will be a work in progress. I do realize that there are alot of ppl that dont have to worry about hurricanes but I have seen a large amount of ppl building GH for the same purpose in Florida and I think we all need to re-analyze our building/layout strategies.

[Samper]

I don't think it's possible where you are but if there is not a lot of water in the ground, I'd suggest to try to sink it down quite a bit if possible, the ground will also help you with keeping things cool. Also if there is a way for you to build the structure in an aerodynamic way maybe a dome I would think this would help the wind to be directed around instead of through.

[Poseidon]

I like your spirit! Hurricane Proof? In Florida?... Here's a 100% gaurentee of no HURRICANE damage, build it in MY backyard! In MI! Now Tornadoes another subject...

I would just rebuild it as best you can, just like it was before, save for the tanks. Do you think an Acrylic tank would have survived? If so, then go for it. I agree the rubermaid tubs would probably be more of a PITA then they are worth, but they would prob survive a hurricane!

I did see something on the science channel about a house that was built as "hurricane" proof, but it looks funny. I think your BUILDING idea is very cool, but the cost gotta get crazy with that idea?

Anyway Rocky I wish you all the best, if things keep going down hill up here for me, maybe I'll move back to FL, then I'll be glad to help! For FREE of course!

[Reefland]

Rocky,

I have no experience with green houses at all but I wonder....

Would it be feasible to build a structure with 4x4 or 6x6 treated lumber, using 4x4 sheets of plywood for the bottom half of the walls and then covering the structure and the top half of the walls with the green house plastic? You would use 4x4 or 6x6 treated lumber for the main support (corners obviously) and 2x4's for the walls of the structure and "rafters", sinking the posts in concrete or pouring a footer and building the structure similar to a cheaply built home? Seems that you could easily build the frame work for a couple grand and have a more stable structure. Hurricane Proof...is anything?

[tvan]

All I can say is this, I had a 10x10 Cedar framed GH enough support that I could sit on top. 145 mph winds turned it into cedar chips. Then framing was 4x4s and 2x4s
. Held together with 3" screws. The only thing standing was my 400+ plywood tank(dosn't hold water anymore): (
Rocky your not alone.
Tom

[Samper]

A sunken in green house with a dome is your best bet I'm telling ya.

[Poseidon]

Originally Posted by Samper

A sunken in green house with a dome is your best bet I'm telling ya.

But sinking anything in FL doesn't work, there is to much water down there. PLus the dome would have to made of Acrylic, then any debris that hits it would at least crack it!!! No win!

[Samper]

IF he is using artificial lighting anyway why would he need an acrylic dome?

[Reefland]

He's not using artificial lighting, other than to light the greenhouse at night.

[ricksreef]

i've been thinking about this one since charlie. so far my thoughts
are going towards a CBS 1/2 wall, maybe 4'-5' high set in a footer,
then having a few interior half walls also of concrete block coming
off the exterior wall coming maybe 4' in. use these as tank rack ends.
then when the storm warnings are posted, you can cover them with
plywood bolted right to the block, just like storm shutters, sealing
the tanks right inside. have another enclosure outside for the generator
so everything can still run while it's buttoned up.
another thought i had was putting a 'U' channel on top of the block wall
to accept the bows & rigging up the cross braces for quick knock down.
this way you could pull all the bows together & lay it on top of the
sealed up tanks, then tie them down with hurricane straps. you could
get a lot block for around $1000, & i know someone who could put it
up for free. (OK, i may want a pizza or two )

[scubadude]

Ok some good ideas and believe me I have been leaning alot toward sunken tanks with quick cover tops, but I still want my light transmission from the side of the tanks if possible

Originally Posted by ricksreef

i've been thinking about this one since charlie. so far ......... you could
get a lot block for around $1000, & i know someone who could put it
up for free. (OK, i may want a pizza or two )

Hell yeah! Now your thinking along on my page bro! It doesnt really have to be hurricane proof built but as long as it can be very secured in a fairly limited time....I like the U channel idea

Tom
DUDE Im soooo sorry I forgot that your GH was built already.....MAN that totally sux....I hope you arent losing faith in your dreams bro! Lets figure this out man. Hey atleast the Geotherms where protected How much livestock did you lose? Please tell me that you didnt lose your sharks, I know those where your babys

[dougc]

You could alleviate the light transmission problems when using sunken tanks by either tapering the walls or just building bigger than you need. Tapering the walls might be better just because it would not add as much water volume. You lose some usable "floor" space, but it might be a worthwhile tradeoff.

[ricksreef]

sinking anything is pretty tough here in florida,
i can dig down about 1' right now & hit the water table...

[Samper]

Better hold off on any plans for atleast another week it sounds like.

[tvan]

Rocky,
The sharks made it(Battery powered air pumps), I didn't have any livestock in the greenhouse yet. Looks like we're headed for round two.
Tom.

[scubadude]

Originally Posted by tvan

Rocky,
The sharks made it(Battery powered air pumps), I didn't have any livestock in the greenhouse yet. Looks like we're headed for round two.
Tom.

Ok guys if you havent looked at the newest reports then DO SO now....this hurricane frances is already Category 4 and is MUCH bigger than charley, I think Charley was like 32 miles wide...well Frances is 300 miles wide Me and the wife are packing what belongings we have left now and will probably be leaving the state friday morning

Rick
BRO Plez take precautions and get out of there if you have too!

Anyone on the east coast should SERIOUSLY consider evacuation within 36 hrs....cuz there will be ALOT of ppl that will wait to see where it goes and there will be major chaos from traffic

[Samper]

If it turns upward like predicted my girlfriend and I will be looking for a reefer a little further inland to bunk with.

[ricksreef]

Originally Posted by scubadude

Rick
BRO Plez take precautions and get out of there if you have too!

ya, it looks like it's my turn now
i'll be heading to the boat storage house (wifes kid). it built a little stronger,
has bahama shutters, doesn't have a lot of glass, or sits on the main drainage river for the whole east coast like my place... i don't expect to have
much left after it's over...oh well, the next chapter of life is about to begin...
maybe we can start a commune of wayward coral farmers.

[ricksreef]

pass the depends...

http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/PS/TROP/DATA...-ir4-loop.html

[Reefland]

Originally Posted by scubadude

Ok guys if you havent looked at the newest reports then DO SO now....this hurricane frances is already Category 4 and is MUCH bigger than charley, I think Charley was like 32 miles wide...well Frances is 300 miles wide Me and the wife are packing what belongings we have left now and will probably be leaving the state friday morning

Rick
BRO Plez take precautions and get out of there if you have too!

Anyone on the east coast should SERIOUSLY consider evacuation within 36 hrs....cuz there will be ALOT of ppl that will wait to see where it goes and there will be major chaos from traffic

Rocky I don't know where your heading but if need be, our home is your home in KY!