reeftechie
In Memoriam
Great setup bro. Would love to come check it out sometime. Will be well worth the drive.
RT
RT
let the insanity begin
- Thread starter rick rottet
- Start date
rick rottet
reefkeeper// propagator
Any time RT, just gimme about another six or seven months to have it all stocked and stable then send me a PM. 
rick rottet
reefkeeper// propagator
It was around this point that I got the new chain saw and took on those other three trees. They were actually on the property of the farmer's field behind my house so permission was required. The farmer was very happy to have the trees removed because he said trees around a field are a big maintenance issue anyway. "Cut down all you want", he said. You can see the stumps in the background. I will still cut down that next large tree come spring (2005). The large tree on the other end will not be an issue since it is on the north end, the shadows wont cross the greenhouse. Three more bows up.
Henry, if I'd only known you wanted firewood, I wouldn't have had to burn all of this. Couldn't give it away and had to get it out of there. Glad our town still allows burning.
The remainder of the bows up and the four corner wind braces in place. The braces will keep the house from swaying and flexing in high winds. That 10 ton pile of dirt in the background was a freebie (zip, zilch, nada) from a farmer who cleaned out his ditches last summer. He even delivered it in a semi and dumped it for me. Now that guy could drive a truck.
The purlins in place. It's amazing how much vocabulary has to be learned when there's a new project going on. The purlins are bolted to each bow and prevent lateral movement of the bows. The center (top) purlin has to go under the bows on the very ends to keep from snagging the plastic covering. The two side purlins are under the bows the entire length of the house.
A commercial heavy grade ground cover screen laid down to keep from having to mow and weed-eat inside the greenhouse. This screen will allow water to flow through- I think I'll need that.
Henry, if I'd only known you wanted firewood, I wouldn't have had to burn all of this. Couldn't give it away and had to get it out of there. Glad our town still allows burning.
The remainder of the bows up and the four corner wind braces in place. The braces will keep the house from swaying and flexing in high winds. That 10 ton pile of dirt in the background was a freebie (zip, zilch, nada) from a farmer who cleaned out his ditches last summer. He even delivered it in a semi and dumped it for me. Now that guy could drive a truck.
The purlins in place. It's amazing how much vocabulary has to be learned when there's a new project going on. The purlins are bolted to each bow and prevent lateral movement of the bows. The center (top) purlin has to go under the bows on the very ends to keep from snagging the plastic covering. The two side purlins are under the bows the entire length of the house.
A commercial heavy grade ground cover screen laid down to keep from having to mow and weed-eat inside the greenhouse. This screen will allow water to flow through- I think I'll need that.
reeftechie
In Memoriam
shoot me an email at reeftechie@gmail.com bro.. Thanks for the invite 
rick rottet
reefkeeper// propagator
Here's a helpful hint learned from the man in Gibson City who owns 'The Friendly Flower Shop'. He advised me to dig down about a foot deep around the perimeter of the building and set 2" thick styrofoam to help keep the freezing cold from coming up through the floor (ground). I dug a foot deep trench 112 feet long with a spade. Came out pretty straight, then dug out under the 2 x 6 toe boards so the styro would form a continuous wall down into the ground.
Before the styro could be set in place for the ends, they had to be framed in with pressure treated lumber. Before the ends got framed in, I wanted to have the gravel for the floor dumped. 15 tons for the first load. About 2/3 of that was for the driveway but I didn't want a big pile of rocks just sitting there so the gravel was dumped out back in the greenhouse and I used a wheel barrow to haul loads out to the driveway. Now here's another guy who could drive a truck, backed it in right up under the greenhouse. The driver also drove down most of the pile of dirt from where the water and electric were trenched to help flatten out the hill in my yard. A real nice guy he was.
New gravel in driveway = happy neighbors (or at least not fighting mad neighbors). That drive is over 90 feet long, covered one wheel barrow at a time which was filled one shovelful at a time. Glad I believe in one day at a time.
Then 6 more tons of gravel to finish off the floor of the greenhouse. Moved and spread all of this around with a stiff metal rake (not the leaf moving kind but the stiff metal ones).
Before the toe boards could be nailed on the ends, they had to be framed in with pressure treated lumber. First the vertical studs. I chose to pack the holes with gravel instead of concrete because concrete can act like a wick and keeps moisture in contact with the underground portions of the wood. Gravel will allow drainage and slow down the decay process- a little. Believe me, the posts are just as sturdy once they are in place.
And then the horizontal members in place to frame in the door and shutter openings. This is the south end.
And the north end with framing for the exhaust fan. The frame for the heater flue pipe will be added later.
This is what it looks like under ground with the styrofoam in place and gravel spread out.
There's that rake I was talking about in the lower left.
Before the styro could be set in place for the ends, they had to be framed in with pressure treated lumber. Before the ends got framed in, I wanted to have the gravel for the floor dumped. 15 tons for the first load. About 2/3 of that was for the driveway but I didn't want a big pile of rocks just sitting there so the gravel was dumped out back in the greenhouse and I used a wheel barrow to haul loads out to the driveway. Now here's another guy who could drive a truck, backed it in right up under the greenhouse. The driver also drove down most of the pile of dirt from where the water and electric were trenched to help flatten out the hill in my yard. A real nice guy he was.
New gravel in driveway = happy neighbors (or at least not fighting mad neighbors). That drive is over 90 feet long, covered one wheel barrow at a time which was filled one shovelful at a time. Glad I believe in one day at a time.
Then 6 more tons of gravel to finish off the floor of the greenhouse. Moved and spread all of this around with a stiff metal rake (not the leaf moving kind but the stiff metal ones).
Before the toe boards could be nailed on the ends, they had to be framed in with pressure treated lumber. First the vertical studs. I chose to pack the holes with gravel instead of concrete because concrete can act like a wick and keeps moisture in contact with the underground portions of the wood. Gravel will allow drainage and slow down the decay process- a little. Believe me, the posts are just as sturdy once they are in place.
And then the horizontal members in place to frame in the door and shutter openings. This is the south end.
And the north end with framing for the exhaust fan. The frame for the heater flue pipe will be added later.
This is what it looks like under ground with the styrofoam in place and gravel spread out.
There's that rake I was talking about in the lower left.
rick rottet
reefkeeper// propagator
From what I've read, Henry, your project is going to be something to see as well. Sounds like you might need a plumber!!
shaw- Not done with the wiring yet, still have one overhead circuit to run for ambient lights and thermostats, then tie in the generator. The plumbing needs to be set up for the water filters, air blower, and drip systems. Should be building stands, skimmers and tanks by the end of November.
Progrees for my project has slowed a little bit, my sister-in-law (wife's sister) and mother-in-law have both lost their husbands in the last year and 1/2 so I'm the only man left for three families. Mother-in-law is building an addition for a new kitchen and I've been trying to help as much as possible with that. There's about four of us local "handy men" building it. Sister-in-law just remodeled her kitchen and a large bathroom so guess who got to do all the plumbing and wiring for that. My wife and I are repainting our living room too. I just wouldn't trade my life for anything. My daughter is almost as busy as I am and she's only ten! Thank God for my son who likes to play video games at home.
shaw- Not done with the wiring yet, still have one overhead circuit to run for ambient lights and thermostats, then tie in the generator. The plumbing needs to be set up for the water filters, air blower, and drip systems. Should be building stands, skimmers and tanks by the end of November.
Progrees for my project has slowed a little bit, my sister-in-law (wife's sister) and mother-in-law have both lost their husbands in the last year and 1/2 so I'm the only man left for three families. Mother-in-law is building an addition for a new kitchen and I've been trying to help as much as possible with that. There's about four of us local "handy men" building it. Sister-in-law just remodeled her kitchen and a large bathroom so guess who got to do all the plumbing and wiring for that. My wife and I are repainting our living room too. I just wouldn't trade my life for anything. My daughter is almost as busy as I am and she's only ten! Thank God for my son who likes to play video games at home.
rick rottet
reefkeeper// propagator
THANKS
Lost His Marbles Name
In Memoriam
Who is doing the electric?
rick rottet
reefkeeper// propagator
I am.
Lost His Marbles Name
In Memoriam
Are you heating the water with electric or the gas?
Do you have the gas and electric in the same trench?
I'm an project manager for a electric company.
I was just wondering.
Do you have local codes around there.
Good luck
Do you have the gas and electric in the same trench?
I'm an project manager for a electric company.
I was just wondering.
Do you have local codes around there.
Good luck
rick rottet
reefkeeper// propagator
I wont be heating the water directly, I will control the ambient air temp inside the greenhouse, thereby controling water temp.
Gas is supplied by a propane tank which sits about four feet away from the greenhouse, no natural gas here in "Hick's Country" (Hick's is the propane company that practically built this town).
The trench I dug holds the water line, about four feet deep, and I dug a shelf into at 18" deep for the electric.
We have building codes (which include electrical standards). This is all being done in my backyard though, so as long as I can live with what I do, then it's O.K. (But I'll still do it right anyway)
Plus my dad was an instructor on radar weather euipment for 29 years and now works in materials research at the University of Illinois.
I was a plumber for 2 1/2 years and was always around electrical journeymen and contractors, I rewired 90 % of my own house (the rest of it is between floors) and wired the garage I built and ran the line out for the swimming pool. I don't claim to know everything about it, but this is a pretty straight forward job.
I do appreciate the offer for assistance and may look up several opinions when it comes time to tie in the generator, ahem, David- that means you too!!
Gas is supplied by a propane tank which sits about four feet away from the greenhouse, no natural gas here in "Hick's Country" (Hick's is the propane company that practically built this town).
The trench I dug holds the water line, about four feet deep, and I dug a shelf into at 18" deep for the electric.
We have building codes (which include electrical standards). This is all being done in my backyard though, so as long as I can live with what I do, then it's O.K. (But I'll still do it right anyway)
Plus my dad was an instructor on radar weather euipment for 29 years and now works in materials research at the University of Illinois.
I was a plumber for 2 1/2 years and was always around electrical journeymen and contractors, I rewired 90 % of my own house (the rest of it is between floors) and wired the garage I built and ran the line out for the swimming pool. I don't claim to know everything about it, but this is a pretty straight forward job.
I do appreciate the offer for assistance and may look up several opinions when it comes time to tie in the generator, ahem, David- that means you too!!
rick rottet
reefkeeper// propagator
I would be remiss if, at some point in this documentary, I neglected to mention the name of someone who has been more help to me in this project than anyone. That man is Anthony Calfo. I pestered him via email for months and months while I was in the research phase of this project, in the early stages of construction and he has guided me away from potential mistakes when it came time to start purchasing equipment as well. I had several reference sources who knew about one subject or another, but Anthony has knowledge about every aspect of this project and was sort of a one-stop-shopping for me. I wouldn't have room to list all of the subjects we have discussed. Even though we have never met in person, I am grateful to be able to call him 'friend'.
The framework now being completed, a metal channel goes up and over the end bows,
along each side and end toe boards,
around the door and shutter openings,
and the openings for the exhaust fan and flue pipe. This metal channel retains a zig-zag wire which will hold the plastic covering in place.
The framework now being completed, a metal channel goes up and over the end bows,
along each side and end toe boards,
around the door and shutter openings,
and the openings for the exhaust fan and flue pipe. This metal channel retains a zig-zag wire which will hold the plastic covering in place.
rick rottet
reefkeeper// propagator
Now it's time to start making this thing look like a greenhouse. The ends get covered first. I am using two layers of a poly film made by a company named Klerk's. I chose their 'KL-50 Clear' because it will filter UV light up to 360 nanometers in wavelength. We should all be aware that our target range for coral lighting is the 400-700 nm range (light that leans towards the blue end of the spectrum). Through some research, I found that UV-C (light in the 200-280 nm), while very destructive to life, is naturally filtered out by the earth's atmosphere and isn't significantly present on this planet but may be found in some high energy applications such as the light emitted from an arc welder or some UV sterilizer bulbs. UV-B (280-320 nm) is also destructive to tissue. UV-B is the light that gives us a sunburn. UV-A (320-400 nm) is what's needed to maintain the fluorescing pigments of corals, at least towards the upper wavelengths of that range. There were some studies which suggested that UV-A from 310-350 nm may be at least partly responsible for some bleaching events. Many corals can produce compounds known as microsporine amino acids (thick clear-ish or opaque mucous coat) which is basically a sunscreen that will absorb light in the 310-360 nm range. These compounds are absorptive pigments only and are not reflective so they do not contribute to a corals' coloration. I found that the reflective or fluorescing pigments, in general, were maintained with light around the 390 nm wavelength so this poly covering was almost perfect in that regard. By filtering out light less than 360 nm, most of the corals wont need to spend energy producing a "sunscreen" but will still have the wavelengths they need for coloration. The corals that need higher wavelengths can have screens placed above their tanks to provide the correct amount of light. Anyway, here goes the first layer of the greenhouse glazing on the north end.
Layer two and both layers trimmed.
The south end with both layers on. The small black circle seen on the left sides in the above and below pictures is an 1 1/2" flexible hose which will allow the air to pass from the main portion of the covering to both end sections. Later, the two layers of plastic will be inflated by a small blower to act as an insulating layer.
Just foolin' around here and the picture doesn't do the brightness of the sun justice. Pictures just don't have that "have to squint" effect like the real thing but this is through both layers of plastic.
At this point, I'm a little upset because when I went to unroll the plastic for the main part of the greenhouse, it was the wrong plastic. It had an additive that is intended to filter infrared light and also diffuses the light. (Even with that one mistake, I must say that the folks at Atlas Greenhouse are some of the nicest, most polite people on the planet. I called seven different greenhouse suppliers during my research phase. There were some that were less expensive but when I called Atlas, everybody there was so bright, cheery and very knowledgeable about their products. They simply won me over with kindness). I have never been called 'sir' so many times in one conversation. When I called my salesman about the plastic not being what I ordered, he took full responsibility, sent the correct roll that same day and included a prepaid return label. It all worked out ok anyway since there was plenty to do while the new roll of plastic was being shipped, like install the door and shutters. Isn't a locking door on a greenhouse a little senseless?
The correct roll of plastic arrived and wouldn't you know it, the wind was blowing with gusts up to 25 mph. Do you think that would stop me? Do you think I would wait for another day? No way, just had to get it done today!! Imagine a 155 pound man holding onto a sail that is 45 feet long by 35 feet wide. To quote the now famous words of one of our founders, WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
Well, it didn't beat me but I had to finish up by moonlight. At least the first layer is all tacked into place.
By daylight with both layers on. I have had to re-stretch the plastic twice after the initial installation because it was a little cool when I put it on. As the weather warmed back up, the plastic relaxes, expands and becomes a little loose. It's amazing how much skin that soft plastic can abrade from a person's knuckles.
Layer two and both layers trimmed.
The south end with both layers on. The small black circle seen on the left sides in the above and below pictures is an 1 1/2" flexible hose which will allow the air to pass from the main portion of the covering to both end sections. Later, the two layers of plastic will be inflated by a small blower to act as an insulating layer.
Just foolin' around here and the picture doesn't do the brightness of the sun justice. Pictures just don't have that "have to squint" effect like the real thing but this is through both layers of plastic.
At this point, I'm a little upset because when I went to unroll the plastic for the main part of the greenhouse, it was the wrong plastic. It had an additive that is intended to filter infrared light and also diffuses the light. (Even with that one mistake, I must say that the folks at Atlas Greenhouse are some of the nicest, most polite people on the planet. I called seven different greenhouse suppliers during my research phase. There were some that were less expensive but when I called Atlas, everybody there was so bright, cheery and very knowledgeable about their products. They simply won me over with kindness). I have never been called 'sir' so many times in one conversation. When I called my salesman about the plastic not being what I ordered, he took full responsibility, sent the correct roll that same day and included a prepaid return label. It all worked out ok anyway since there was plenty to do while the new roll of plastic was being shipped, like install the door and shutters. Isn't a locking door on a greenhouse a little senseless?
The correct roll of plastic arrived and wouldn't you know it, the wind was blowing with gusts up to 25 mph. Do you think that would stop me? Do you think I would wait for another day? No way, just had to get it done today!! Imagine a 155 pound man holding onto a sail that is 45 feet long by 35 feet wide. To quote the now famous words of one of our founders, WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
Well, it didn't beat me but I had to finish up by moonlight. At least the first layer is all tacked into place.
By daylight with both layers on. I have had to re-stretch the plastic twice after the initial installation because it was a little cool when I put it on. As the weather warmed back up, the plastic relaxes, expands and becomes a little loose. It's amazing how much skin that soft plastic can abrade from a person's knuckles.
rick rottet
reefkeeper// propagator
thank you
rick rottet
reefkeeper// propagator
yessir.
Next step is to get things set up and wired on the inside. This is one of the two times I had to break down and ask for help. The furnace weighed 125 pounds. Lifting it up wasn't a problem, but it was just too much to try and get the chains connected while doing so, not that I didn't try. The furnace hangs from these 2" x 2" square poles and the chains.
TADA! Thank goodness for a young, strong nephew. 150,000 BTU Modine furnace that will raise the temperature 51 degrees in a greenhouse 35 x 100, mine is only 20 x 36. That ought to do it.
Now the load center is in place with primary cable and supplementary grounding rod wired.
Mini air blower which will eventually inflate the space between the two layers of plastic, which is getting a little loose again. Time to re-stretch and scrape some more skin off of already sore knuckles.
The jumper hose that will allow the air from the blower to pass from the main body of the greenhouse to inflate the ends.
The rebuilt meter box running from my main panel in the cellar so I can keep track of how much electricity is being used out there. Uh, oh yeah, and the drain from my toilet.
I just wanted a picture of it reading 00000. It's been a very productive day!
Next step is to get things set up and wired on the inside. This is one of the two times I had to break down and ask for help. The furnace weighed 125 pounds. Lifting it up wasn't a problem, but it was just too much to try and get the chains connected while doing so, not that I didn't try. The furnace hangs from these 2" x 2" square poles and the chains.
TADA! Thank goodness for a young, strong nephew. 150,000 BTU Modine furnace that will raise the temperature 51 degrees in a greenhouse 35 x 100, mine is only 20 x 36. That ought to do it.
Now the load center is in place with primary cable and supplementary grounding rod wired.
Mini air blower which will eventually inflate the space between the two layers of plastic, which is getting a little loose again. Time to re-stretch and scrape some more skin off of already sore knuckles.
The jumper hose that will allow the air from the blower to pass from the main body of the greenhouse to inflate the ends.
The rebuilt meter box running from my main panel in the cellar so I can keep track of how much electricity is being used out there. Uh, oh yeah, and the drain from my toilet.
I just wanted a picture of it reading 00000. It's been a very productive day!
