By: Joe Martino
Daniel and I also undertook the development of a small scale “barrelponics” system. This was not based on Travis Hughey’s model, however we did build the system with cinder block supports and 55 gallon plastic barrels for grow beds and the fish tank. We were advised by Jessica to utilize one of our 50 gallon Rubbermaid stock tanks as a sump. The purpose of the sump in this situation was to maintain a consistent water level in the fish tank. As the water level decreases, the dissolved oxygen level decreases as well, leaving the fish with less breathing room. Ammonia levels can also reach toxic concentrations, further deepening their plight. The goal of the sump was to avoid these issues, so we started moving forward.
It took a long time to understand what we were doing. We had lists that were amalgamations of PVC parts for three different aspects of the same project, and became quite confused. Soon, we realized we had to consider the construction of a PVC greenhouse and the system that would go inside separate projects. We started with the greenhouse.
Building greenhouses in the Pacific Northwest in the winter two years ago was a hell in and of itself. We dug holes, scooped the water out, placed the pipe. scooped the water out, etc. It was our first build so we went overboard and didn’t do enough research into designs.
We used ½” PVC for the whole greenhouse, went up about 9 feet out of the ground. We scavenged some five gallon buckets from around downtown; The Reef and The Gyro Spot. We used painters plastic as a cover, and started digging a hole for the sump and laying cinder blocks for the foundations of the beds.
About two weeks after we finished construction, a snow storm destroyed the greenhouse. Our second design was essentially a smaller wind tunnel. We malleted some PVC pipe about 1’ into the ground and found some rebar that was originally slated to be used for the construction of a concrete geodesic dome. Then we stretched plastic and haven’t looked back!
It’s such an amazing experience, to fail. It is the ultimate path to wisdom.
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