I Knew when you started this design that the weight would be an issue. I Did something similar with gutters attached to the walls of the greenhouse frame which i still use successfully but i tried gravel originally and noticed pressure on the greenhouse frame and changed to plastic mulch which reduced the weigh by 80% and allowed my nutrient water to flow good without absorbing the water. You'll just have to remove the mulch and wash it good in a old washing machine every couple of years to neutralize the slime factor.
I have enjoyed following this project. I'm assuming you've considered perlite or expanded clay as an alternate more lightweight medium. If you have considered lighter options I'm curious why you decided against them. Is it the unreliable power supply or cost related? Thanks for sharing!
I really didn't want to have to buy media. It's still a weight problem with any media since it will become waterlogged no matter what is used. The main benefit with the media is dealing with loss of power but that can be easily fixed by using a UPS or generator.
@@Bigelowbrook maybe dual root zone planting to keep media costs and weight down and then flood and drain or nft the channels with the drz pots in them? very cool project really love watching the updates.
@@williamwalter8554 possibly, but it's best to make sure the berries hang out of the area. It really reduces the amount of mildew if they can get good air flow and stay dry.
Would i not work to lift up the bulkhead a small bit, maybe 1/2" or 1" and then there would be a reservoir in the trough and the drainage line would still work then because the flow would just be halfway up it or something.
The first video of yours I watched was on strawberry towers, because I just made a plant tower by playing around with a heat gun and some plastic pipe and search for others that did the same, the next video was about domes, and I've been watching ever since. Are totally done with towers? I found out that as long as you control the light getting inside the towers it work fine with no aggregate, you just need run a big pipe cleaner when you reuse it, sadly I got shut down, apparently that's not what a sun room is for! according to the boss.
I haven't done towers for a few years. They work well but I didn't like how the roots would pack into them with the expanded shale. It was nearly impossible to remove the plants after a full year of growth! Occasionally they would also drip out water if one of the roots grew out the wrong way.
Seems complicated...thats as much as I can say without being the internet expert. Already way beyond my building skill, but strawberries aren't that tough to grow so I'll just watch and enjoy
Glad you changed your mind, heavy and then add water.
I admire you for showing the ups and downs of real world design - keep going and sharing - your efforts will be rewarded, somehow!
Awesome work, great following your journey and problem solving! Watching all the way from New Zealand!
I Knew when you started this design that the weight would be an issue. I Did something similar with gutters attached to the walls of the greenhouse frame which i still use successfully but i tried gravel originally and noticed pressure on the greenhouse frame and changed to plastic mulch which reduced the weigh by 80% and allowed my nutrient water to flow good without absorbing the water. You'll just have to remove the mulch and wash it good in a old washing machine every couple of years to neutralize the slime factor.
Smart move. Always need to consider the failure modes and their severity.
At least the plants will be OK Rob. 👍 Healthy looking worms there to mate.
Keep plugging away. You’ll get it.
love the tshirt!
We have good fog systme support your agriculture work.
Backup power seems like the way to go, albeit not the cheapest option
Buenas noches muy interesante el video, hay alguna posibilidad de traducirlos al español?
What about center post to support the additional weight
I have enjoyed following this project. I'm assuming you've considered perlite or expanded clay as an alternate more lightweight medium. If you have considered lighter options I'm curious why you decided against them. Is it the unreliable power supply or cost related? Thanks for sharing!
I really didn't want to have to buy media. It's still a weight problem with any media since it will become waterlogged no matter what is used. The main benefit with the media is dealing with loss of power but that can be easily fixed by using a UPS or generator.
@@Bigelowbrook maybe dual root zone planting to keep media costs and weight down and then flood and drain or nft the channels with the drz pots in them? very cool project really love watching the updates.
@@Bigelowbrook Did the scrim need to be filled to the brim? Could a lesser amount of media be used?
@@williamwalter8554 possibly, but it's best to make sure the berries hang out of the area. It really reduces the amount of mildew if they can get good air flow and stay dry.
Would i not work to lift up the bulkhead a small bit, maybe 1/2" or 1" and then there would be a reservoir in the trough and the drainage line would still work then because the flow would just be halfway up it or something.
I completely agree with this idea as it's going to an NFT system.
Expanded shale looks way to heavy. What would be wrong with 10 part coco peat 1 part perlite.?
The first video of yours I watched was on strawberry towers, because I just made a plant tower by playing around with a heat gun and some plastic pipe and search for others that did the same, the next video was about domes, and I've been watching ever since. Are totally done with towers? I found out that as long as you control the light getting inside the towers it work fine with no aggregate, you just need run a big pipe cleaner when you reuse it, sadly I got shut down, apparently that's not what a sun room is for! according to the boss.
I haven't done towers for a few years. They work well but I didn't like how the roots would pack into them with the expanded shale. It was nearly impossible to remove the plants after a full year of growth! Occasionally they would also drip out water if one of the roots grew out the wrong way.
Seems complicated...thats as much as I can say without being the internet expert. Already way beyond my building skill, but strawberries aren't that tough to grow so I'll just watch and enjoy
What a shame, but at least we learned something.
Just get a backup generator