cbird02
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Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Oct 23, 2012 5:43 pm
Location: Tucson, AZ

Final Design of Mega SIP - help with Aeration - see Pics

I am nearing completion of my Mega SIP that has been in the works for weeks in time for fall planting here in sunny Tucson, AZ. My final design consideration is how to aerate the bed. I decided against using the drain holes as dual function aeration holes due to the fact that I didn't want to cut my Stock Tank (around 300 gal galvanized steel)

Since we have hot weather, I wanted to remove some of the heat from the galvanized sides. I had free recycled flashing from my shop. There will be 26 of these at 8" intervals around the whole container - held in by soil.

My options are:

1) Allow air to pass from these channels into the reservoir and drill holes throughout the platform to deliver the air.

2) Drill many holes in the supports that will house the wicks to deliver air to each wick and on to the soil.

2A) Have a central air pipe in the center of the soil down to an open support(not one of the wicks). This is mainly for hot weather, since this pipe will be cooler air since it is in the center of the bed and provide an inlet to replace the air rising in the hot channels.

3) Your suggestion!

I don't think I will have all 26 channels open to the reservoir, only a few for air circulation. The rest will be blocked at the soil platform and just function to remove heat from the steel container. Otherwise I feel like there will be to much evaporation.

Thanks for any input - pictures follow:


[img]https://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h278/cbird01/Mega%20SIP/20121023_215757_zpse2b5b49c.jpg[/img]
View of whole SIP with platform installed

[img]https://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h278/cbird01/Mega%20SIP/20121023_220137_zps2284bdfc.jpg[/img]
1/2 of the platform showing the supporting PP pipe pieces

[img]https://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h278/cbird01/Mega%20SIP/20121023_220405_zps72d0e549.jpg[/img]
Closeup of 5" PP Pipe and Coroplast platform - a number of these will have the Coroplast cut out above them to receive a soil wick lined with weed mesh

[img]https://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h278/cbird01/Mega%20SIP/20121023_220440_zps04842fcf.jpg[/img]
Drainage channel for water to fill support

[img]https://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h278/cbird01/Mega%20SIP/20121023_220538_zps9c0e4365.jpg[/img]
Planned aeration channel / heat vent

[img]https://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h278/cbird01/Mega%20SIP/20121023_220631_zpsd1623ea4.jpg[/img]
Top view of aeration channel/heat vent

[img]https://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h278/cbird01/Mega%20SIP/20121023_220736_zpsf65355f3.jpg[/img]
Closeup of PP Coroplast

[img]https://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h278/cbird01/Mega%20SIP/20121023_220001_zps904b908a.jpg[/img]
3/4 NPT Drain Hole - Infinity adjustable to around 8" - not used for aeration

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applestar
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Will you have an automated water intake or will you be using a dipstick or floating water level indicator and adding water manually?

Also, I'm not familiar with this type of system -- will you get sufficient oxygenation of roots in a closed system like this? The drain is merely overflow and not for ebb and flow type operation where draining of the water pulls air into the soil from above, correct?

cbird02
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Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Oct 23, 2012 5:43 pm
Location: Tucson, AZ

A SIP system has gotten a lot of attention due to the fact that it uses up 80% less water has double the production of typical gardens. Commercial products like the Earthbox and many urban gardening movements are flocking to the systems due to the simplicity/low cost of design, low maintenance and high yields.

Additionally, many of the problems associated with hydroponic system vegetables being a bit "watery" tasting are not seen with this method since the plants are growing in a more "soil-like" substrate. In my case 3-2-1 Potting Mix - Pine Bark - Perlite. The key is very light fluffy mix that will not compact due to the moisture content inherent in the system. Since we are not connected to the soil below, natural aeration channels from worms and such are not present. Thus, all SIP systems must be aerated from below to allow adequate air to root system. The results are phenominal. My project is a bit of a frankenstein, because most SIP planters are made from 5 gallon buckets or Rubbermaid totes. Mikne is kind of a cross between a container SIP and a wicking bed.

This introduced aeration avoids any problems of oxygenation of the roots. My drain pipe is strictly for adjusting the water reservoir height and draining the water for freezing conditions. Most SIPs just use holes in the side of the container to show you the reservoir is full when filling up and allows air in the reservoir to oxygenate the roots. My question is the best way to do that given the design of my container. Thanks for chiming in!

cbird02
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Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Oct 23, 2012 5:43 pm
Location: Tucson, AZ

Forgot to mention that we will be manually watering by filling the reservoir from one of the metal channels that will pass through to the reservoir.



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