Styrofoam For Aquaponics
Styrofoam for aquaponics. Dow blue Styrofoam with Polymeric Flame Retardant Technology. This is another option for your floating raft tank. Available in varying plant densities giving growers many crop variety selections.
For hydroponics growers that have started with Kratky using styrofoam ice chests and have had great success you quickly realize the limitations of a Kratky system. Scalability of reservoir is a major issue facing Kratky enthusiasts. This Blue Board comes in several OTHER configurations which do not work as well.
These lettuce raft boards are specifically designed for use in both aquaponic and hydroponic deep water culture growing systems. Unfortunately the foam will not last for as long as the polystyrene. Many Aquaponic companies use and recommend Dow Blue Board which consists of 4x8 x 2 thick sheets of Extruded Polystyrene insulation material.
How To Video on building aquaponic floating raft trays for free with recycled materials and some pots that were extra. The Lettuce Raft manufactured by Beaver Plastics is ideally suited for home small and large commercial hydroponic and aquaponic systems. Material needs to be waterproof light strong and UV redsistant.
You can then cut them to size and drill holes to accommodate the net pot. The Styrofoam can be from 1-2 inches thick however 1 Styrofoam is more than adequate and easier to handle although it can break if not lifted properly when it has a full aquaponic plant load. One is called Tongue and Groove Blue Board this is OK but has a bump on one edge and a groove on the other which make them difficult to paint and also make the edges of the rafts.
As I see it there are five requirements that the styrofoam fills and any alternative method need to fulfill. STYROFOAM Brand foam and expanded polystyrene EPS are both used to make custom grow trays for hydroponic and aquaponic gardening applications. Prior to our pre-fab Plant Rafts aquaponic growers purchased 4 x 8 sheets of dense polystyrene such as Dow Board and cut it into four rafts.
Dow Company however has stated that this is. In home aquaponics where we grow a variety of crops an 8 spacing is suggested.
In home aquaponics where we grow a variety of crops an 8 spacing is suggested.
It is not as effective at floating as the polystyrene sheets. A simple Styrofoam raft as above leaves plant roots exposed in water. Unfortunately the foam will not last for as long as the polystyrene. Available in varying plant densities giving growers many crop variety selections. It is not as effective at floating as the polystyrene sheets. Besides providing stock molded trays for specific produce production Universal Foam Products produces custom trays using a CNC router. The Lettuce Raft manufactured by Beaver Plastics is ideally suited for home small and large commercial hydroponic and aquaponic systems. Sealed Surface Technology SST resists water penetration extends usage and reduces replacement raft costs. The Styrofoam can be from 1-2 inches thick however 1 Styrofoam is more than adequate and easier to handle although it can break if not lifted properly when it has a full aquaponic plant load.
In many cases the foam is only good for one season. A simple Styrofoam raft as above leaves plant roots exposed in water. Dow Company however has stated that this is. It is not as effective at floating as the polystyrene sheets. Once the Styrofoam is cut to size then it can be marked for drilling. In many cases the foam is only good for one season. Prior to our pre-fab Plant Rafts aquaponic growers purchased 4 x 8 sheets of dense polystyrene such as Dow Board and cut it into four rafts.
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