Greenhouses can be constructed with a no-holds-barred approach to automation, or fully DIY with a shoestring budget. From paned glass with automated venting to a hoop house with clear plastic sheeting, you can find plenty of plans and construction options online. At this point, the most important thing is to select and optimize your design to accommodate the needs of your aquaponics system.
When you site your greenhouse and plan the layout, be sure to place your fish tanks in shady areas. Too much sunlight will encourage algae growth and can make the water too warm for the fish. Warm water also holds less oxygen, and you definitely don’t want to see your fish gasping for air on a bright sunny day. Obviously, your grow beds will need to be in areas with plenty of light, or you’ll need to supplement natural sunlight with grow-lights, which work well to extend your growing season but they can be an unnecessary expense when natural light is readily available. Temperature is another consideration. If you want to keep your greenhouse operating year-round, especially in colder climates, you’ll need to insulate it or even design it with passive solar elements, taking maximum advantage of the sun at every point of the year. Along with this, you’ll need to plan for access to electricity, whether it’s connected to your household panel or hooked up to an old fashioned windmill. Talk to an electrician to evaluate your power needs and upgrade the panel if necessary. Make sure you install plenty of outlets inside the greenhouse for your equipment and that you allow plenty of room to walk and work among the tanks and grow beds. Flooring is an important consideration, but you’ll need to know how you’re going to locate fish tanks (and sump pumps) before you install the floor. An in-ground pond requires a whole different setup than a livestock tank supported by cinder blocks, for example.
