falcon41176
In Memoriam
did you pull the protective film of the panels i belive that is the uv coating
Budget Greenhouse Project
- Thread starter hamburglar
- Start date
Anthony Calfo, in his book on Coral Propagation, stated very clearly that you needed to use clear plastic film only, as other materials would block UV and other light needed by corals. He raised corals including SPS in Michigan in a greenhouse for 4-5 years. You can read about his setup in the "Book of Coral Propagation, Volume One" With the proper spectrum, you don't have to "color up" the corals.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7781094#post7781094 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by redox
I guess his words are final then, there must be no other way to success?well...maybe someone else has figured another way and aint tellinand michigan is a long way from the normal sun they are used to
they might not be final, but a quick check or call to the panel manufacturer will tell you the light spectrum allowed through a panel, preventing the need for additional metal halides....
Even in the Michigan, you need to shade a greenhouse from the summer sun. Water filters sunlight very quickly with depth. A coral in 24" of water in a Michigan summer gets far more light than the same coral in the tropics at 10 ft. of depth. They are much easier to cool at that latitude as well. If you build a passive solar greenhouse, you can grow coral in Ontario, without the need for supplemental heat or cooling. It works far better there than in Florida.
falcon41176
In Memoriam
did you pull the protective film of the panels i belive that is the uv coating
hamburglar
New member
I did pull off the film from the panels.
Samtheman....I've read the book....keep sharing if you have personal experience on this type of stuff.
Due to my location, I'm not really interested in using a film greenhouse. I am in a very hurricane prone area. Constructing a greenhouse that will not hold up to the elements in my area would not be very "cost effective"
if you catch my drift. This little greenhouse has already stood up to one (be it weak) last season.
What do you guys think of using regular glass? Anyone out there tried a glass greenhouse, or used glass windows/skylights?
Samtheman....I've read the book....keep sharing if you have personal experience on this type of stuff.
Due to my location, I'm not really interested in using a film greenhouse. I am in a very hurricane prone area. Constructing a greenhouse that will not hold up to the elements in my area would not be very "cost effective"
if you catch my drift. This little greenhouse has already stood up to one (be it weak) last season.What do you guys think of using regular glass? Anyone out there tried a glass greenhouse, or used glass windows/skylights?
RedSonja
Premium Member
Well I'm kinda sorry to hear you are going to take it down, it's been interesting following your progress. I've just now caught up on the thread as I've been trying to get stuff together for my own business ideas and had no time to read any forums lately.
Keep us up to date on your next venture.
-Sonja
ps are you going to MASC again this year? Some good stuff up for raffle already and more expected. I'll be there again, headed to MACNA in September as well.
Keep us up to date on your next venture.
-Sonja
ps are you going to MASC again this year? Some good stuff up for raffle already and more expected. I'll be there again, headed to MACNA in September as well.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7792508#post7792508 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hamburglar
I did pull off the film from the panels.
Samtheman....I've read the book....keep sharing if you have personal experience on this type of stuff.
Due to my location, I'm not really interested in using a film greenhouse. I am in a very hurricane prone area. Constructing a greenhouse that will not hold up to the elements in my area would not be very "cost effective"
What do you guys think of using regular glass? Anyone out there tried a glass greenhouse, or used glass windows/skylights?
If you read the book, then you deserve the problems you are having. If you can't learn from others, I have no sympathy.
rick rottet
reefkeeper// propagator
samtheman, not to try to start trouble (you seem to be doing a good enough job at that on your own), BUT Anthony's greenhouse was in PA, not MI.
hamburglar- I know you have said repeatedly since the begining of this (your) thread that this gh is/was experimental...a project for you to learn from. I for one applaud your efforts and especially your willingness to share your experiences in a public forum. It takes a lot of guts to put something like this right out there for all to see, and then to also share the problems in the same public view.
:thumbsup:
and good luck with your future endeavors...I'm sure I'll continue to see you around the boards.
hamburglar- I know you have said repeatedly since the begining of this (your) thread that this gh is/was experimental...a project for you to learn from. I for one applaud your efforts and especially your willingness to share your experiences in a public forum. It takes a lot of guts to put something like this right out there for all to see, and then to also share the problems in the same public view.
:thumbsup:
and good luck with your future endeavors...I'm sure I'll continue to see you around the boards.
Treeman
New member
Sam,
Have you put the theory's in the book to practical use?
My first small GH was pretty much exactly by the book. Not all of the things in the book will work in all areas of the country. I have changed many things from the book and am very happy I did.
Please, If you have some first hand knowledge please share it with us.
Ham,
I would be very reluctant to use glass here. But, I have not looked into new types or such. There may be a laminate type that may not break. The hurricane glass that they use down here has a lexan or acrylic layer between, so that may be a consideration.
When you get ready to start a new GH, let me know if you need any help. I will be looking forward to the new start
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7792508#post7792508 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hamburglar
I did pull off the film from the panels.
Samtheman....I've read the book....keep sharing if you have personal experience on this type of stuff.
Due to my location, I'm not really interested in using a film greenhouse. I am in a very hurricane prone area. Constructing a greenhouse that will not hold up to the elements in my area would not be very "cost effective"
Have you looked at Passive Solar Greenhouses? Only the south side is glazed and everything else is built much like a home. The panels with plastic glazing are made in 4 X 8 ft. or smaller replaceable panels. You can keep spares for changout for very little money. They stand up fine to very strong winds, winter weather, and provide winter heating for free.
If you need 100% security from a Hurricane, then I suggest you build a concrete bunker to live in. Nothing is Hurricane proof. I lived in Florida for several years and have seen them firsthand.
Treeman
New member
But maybe what they solved (did he solve anything? he put plastic over tanks) is not applicable in other areas.
Also, Anthony was not in Michigan, He was in Pennsylvania.
My roof is what Anthony describes in his book. I also talked to him about the plastic. There are still certain corals that do not get color in these conditions. Others have great color. The brown ones can be colored up in other lighting though. I have seen it.
I also have talked to Mr. Calfo. He recognized that many glazing products would not support coral life and helped me choose one that would. He also knows about many of those that don't transmit the right spectrum. If you read his book, you had to know this would be a problem.
The ONLY reason to build a greenhouse is to utilize the free light. IF you get that part wrong, then what was the effort for?[/
yea lets hear it
yea lets hear it
yea samtheman lets here all about your vast knowledge in the feild of gh prop. And by the way you couldnt have flammed on a nicer guy ,ham is a great guy and dosnt deserve your criticizm,and who the hell are you and by the way nice gallery it really shows us all your opperation nice whatever
yea lets hear it
yea samtheman lets here all about your vast knowledge in the feild of gh prop. And by the way you couldnt have flammed on a nicer guy ,ham is a great guy and dosnt deserve your criticizm,and who the hell are you and by the way nice gallery it really shows us all your opperation nice whatever
RedSonja
Premium Member
This was stated as an experiment from the start, so whatever resulted, knowledge was gained. I'd be curious as well as to what film you chose, samtheman. I asked Mr. Calfo's opinion on such things as well, at SaltwaterU Two, but it's good to get input from lots of sources I think.
-Sonja
-Sonja
