Samford Balcony Maximus

[jaybee]

The shed is up (minus clear lean-to), the ground is cleared, the Balcony Maximus is ordered, the adventure starts here!

[Castaway]

Boy are you gonna have some fun! Looks like you have plenty of sunshine and space to expand.

[dufflight]

Nice shed to put extra fish tank in so other half does not notice it.

[jaybee]

Thanks guys, it's going to be an interesting year - I think I have my building priorities about right; shed, aquaponics, house!

'Spose I could ditch the house and put in an acre of grow beds.

Nice shed to put extra fish tank in so other half does not notice it.

Funny you should say that, I do have a half-baked plan for a 6 bed system with 2 fish tanks in the shed. Only time will tell...

[jaybee]

Ah, it's been a while, but I am getting closer to having the site ready (the paving around the system will be finished on saturday!), and I am popping down to Murrry's on Sunday to pick up the Kit.

A question - I was at my local landscaping supplies retailer today and noticed that they sold marble chippings. They were certainly the right grade, and looked pretty smart. For those that don't know, marble is limestone that has been heated by volcanic activity to make it crystaline, and is a form of calcite. Does anyone have any experience with such a material - I would guess that it would stop any acidity build up! Any negative effects?

Jonathan.

PS I still have no water or power at the site, so don't expect much more from me in the near future

[Murray]

Might be too much jaybee.
Ideal range for pH is just below 7. Lime stones etc can push the pH too high.
Get some, like half a bucket of the stuff, fill with water and pH test water before and after a few times to see what happens to the pH of the water as a result of being in contact with the proposed gravel material.

[RupertofOZ]

I'd avoid the stuff Jaybee... it will result in your pH constantly being around 8.0-8.2.... and associated trace element takeup problems...

People have tried it.... with constant problems...

[jaybee]

Message received and understood, thanks chaps. I shall go and find a less volatile material!

[Murray]

20mm drainage gravel, or blue metal.

[jaybee]

Will sombody come and finish my paving! This heat is killing me...

At least the Balcony Maximus couldn't be esier to install. Top job Murray If I am very lucky, I will have the system up and running in the next few weeks.