[eddie]

I've been trying to build a greenhouse for propagation for awhile now.

after first starting with a attached frame that was gonna be covered with poly I totaly changed gears on the design.

here is how far along I have got so far

btw Rocky , thanks for the insperation!I still have along why to go but would never have went this far without You recomending Anthonys book.

this greenhouse is just for starters its 14x16 if it works well I have plans for a small store front type greenhouse mabey 20x20 like pictured in anthonys book.

ok now for the pics though its not much to look at yet

this is a end wall that did'nt need glazing.I used 6 mil plastic to cover the frame first.then covered it with osb board that will later be covered with instulation & sided with gray viynal to match the house.

[eddie]

the front
the plastic is temp.

I'll add a 100% clear 8 mil viynal pane later

it may take a bit to get more pics up cause it keeps saying the files are to big

[eddie]

I cant get a good one of the front that the file isnt to big so just picture a 4x16 window

[eddie]

angled end veiw

[eddie]

these are what I plan to use for growout vats

[eddie]

just a shot of the inside wall & roof

the whole thing will be instulated with rolls of fiberglass then I'll put a layer of white reflective plastic over the inside walls & roof.

still got alot of work to do...

[eddie]

I should be able to get alittle more done each week.I'll probably do the siding & trim last since that dont help grow the corals.


I know it dont look like much yet but it could comfortably hold 4 300 gal vats .

I'll probably only have 2 300gal vats in it though for frags & mabey one for rock curing .also I have a 180gal in the house & a few smaller tanks.If I add more it will be seperate from the house.

I started a web site(also under heavy constuction) on advice from other coral propagators even though Im no where near ready for business.

I really want to build a store front type greenhouse away from the house that would be open from 8am-8pm fri-sun & mon-thurs by appointment only.
this project should give me a good feel for the business first though.

my web site will be @
www.southeasterncorals.com

[blue]

It's looking great do you think the areas that are plastic are going to give you enough light or are you going to have to add light?
blue

[eddie]

the plastic will be replaced with a product called viynal pane its a 100% clear 8mil viynal greenhouse covering.I may also put it on the inside after Im finished framing in the window openings.so its kinda double paned,but still 100% clear.

It seems to get enough light thru the windows even with the 6mil construction plastic.but you can tell that it blocks some light.

I have been considering putting 21" suntubes over each vat since they have a special refelctor to catch ,direct & magnify light straight down.

this would help in the winter months probably but may not be needed anyway, I'll have to wait & see.....

I do have a 1000watt sunlight supply setup that I plan to use over one of the vats for sps .mabey one over a 300gal clam vat id like to add later also.

it will be lit from 5am-9am in the winter ,& extended rainy days as needed.

[eddie]

btw I plan to add a gas pack for heating & cooling.thats why Im trying to make it super insulated.

& a shallow well source type chiller ,& a new idea im still trying to learn about for heating the water with a high effiancy tankless water heater coupled to a titaniam heat exchanger.

the floor will be 2" of concrete

[eddie]

after playing around in my fishroom project today I started wondering would it be better to build stands for the Rubbbermaids & raise them 2ft off the ground this would add alot more sqft of fiberglass insulation around the bottom of the greenhouse & put them closer to the suntubes if I do add them.also it will probably look better after its all done from the outside when its sided & trimed ,I might could afford 1/4" glass later also for windows this way mabey.

& I think i'll still get the same amount of light in the vat.go figure.....

Im gonna put the vat up on blocks and see how easy it will be to work in at that height..
mabey 1.5 ft stands....

OK after thinking a little on it the plan is to raise the vats 8" & add 8" of plywood around the top and bottom of the window getting 1.5sqft of instulation all the way around the greenhouse.

this will make the greenhouse look better from the outside also

[scubadude]

Originally posted by eddie
wondering would it be better to build stands for the Rubbbermaids & raise them 2ft off the ground this would add alot more sqft of fiberglass insulation around the bottom of the greenhouse & put them closer to the suntubes if I do add them.also it will probably look better

SWEET! Coming along quite nicely Eddie! Dont rush it bro
Yes I agree raise the rubbermaids so you will have the option to insulate if need be. EXPOSE them vats to sun as much as possible during the winter too. This will help heat them since they are black. Use styro on top and around the vats to keep warmth or coolness in. Keep up the good work

[eddie]

thanks Rocky

I wont rush it ...I cant wait to get it done though.I think I'll use a AM 4000 to circulate & run the return to my 180 gal inside.For the price & long term operating cost it seems to be my best choice

I plan to use this setup for sps mainly since Im becoming more seriously addicted each day


I want another seperate greenhouse real bad even though this ones not even done & taking sooo..long its not realy alot of work just I dont have much time with a 7month old on our hands ,ya know bottles,diapers & all.

I want to build large vats & make them into a raceway some how ,Im working on a plan in my head now.

the side wall of the seperate greenhouse will be a treated 3ft high frame & then I'd just get some metal electrical conduant & make the bows .I was at a nursery the other day that made their own greenhouses this way & I thought they looked real slik...

realy I dont have much more to do on my attached greenhouse before I get the water actualy circulating...then I'll take my time with the rest