Small Greenhouse help!

[rort]

Hey guys! First time really joining you in this forum but I have hit a problem that I think only YOU all can fix!!

I live in Hawaii where the electricity is rediculous but the sun is always shinning...SO in an effort to save $ on electricity I am planning a small outdoor refugium/ algae scrubber that will need a small greenhouse or at least panneling to keep the rain out but let the light in!

This will all be connected to a 400g breeding system inside a room attached to our house. The container is a 150g large acrylic sump that I will have a few algae scrubers, mangroves, and macro. It will be outside right next to the house.

For this refugium, what kind of material should look for to cover this? I have found some sheets of acrylic but it seems expensive and I would prefer to stay away from glass.

(white box on the far right)

Any and all help is much appreciated! THANK YOU!

 

[Chris27]

If you're not worried about anything falling on it from above (palm limbs, coconuts), then a lightweight plexi reinforced with a wood frame will surely get the job done and be fairly inexpensive. You should be able to get a thin sheet for around $20-$30 a piece from home depot. It'll keep the rain out, and let the sun in.

If you know anyone that works over at the shipyard, have them poke around the dumpsters near the rubber and plastics shop, they will likely find enough scraps to build something.

 

[rort]

thanks for the recommednation Chris! Do you know of any other kinds of material that would work for this use? The area it will be at will not be in danger of anything fall onto it so I am not worried about that!

On the island, there really are no plastic shops I have been able to find... would be nice to have some custom acrylic tanks made but none... ;-(

 

[spamreefnew]

rather than building something why not mount a cube shaped aquarium on it's side to the wall sticking outside?

 

[Jeremy Blaze]

rather than building something why not mount a cube shaped aquarium on it's side to the wall sticking outside?

How would you keep the water in it?

 

[mussel and hate]

Vapor barrier tensioned on a frame(PVC pipe for the circulation?) Ghetto but effective and fiscally responsible too!

If you really want to spend some $ Your local home improvement center sells translucent corrugated roof panels in 24" and 48" widths along with matching seal strips for mounting. I've used these in the construction of a small greenhouse and it worked out nicely.

 

[miketay89]

There are a couple of different plastic products that are flexible and specifically made for greenhouses that would be cheaper than acrylic.
I googled greenhouse plastic and this is one that I came up with.
http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplie...nhouse_covering_2;ft1_greenhouse_films_2.html

 

[freetareef]

clear polycarbinate.