Advice on building this Greenhouse using Cattle Panels

Trying to get plans or DIY ideas on building a 30x60 (estimate) size Greenhouse without extreme costs.  I have viewed an idea using Cattle Panels (youtube below)

Cattle panel greenhouse

But not sure if I can get the size I want (30x60) and a few feet taller with this method?  Ideas?

Use will be an Aquaponics system with Rainbow Trout and plants.  I will have other issues like climate control especially cooling it down in summer.  Also looking into solar power (so I want to save money on the building).

Cattle panels only generally come in 16' lengths so I'm not sure how you could span a 30' width unless you pieced together two and and a half or three of them.  They'd need lots of support and then you're losing the cost benefit of using them in the first place.

Maybe something like this instead?

For the size you are talking about, a bow shed roof may be the best, most cost effective solution. Search Stimson bow roof shed for cheap plans. They are easy to build, but will take some time.

Good idea on using the metal hoops,  much larger greenhouse but still affordable.

Trace Oswald wrote:For the size you are talking about, a bow shed roof may be the best, most cost effective solution. Search Stimson bow roof shed for cheap plans. They are easy to build, but will take some time.

I think you mean this?:

https://www.by-the-sea.com/stimsonmarine/bowroof.html



These are pretty cool.

Oh yeah, those sorts of trusses can be pretty strong.

Mike Haasl wrote:Oh yeah, those sorts of trusses can be pretty strong.

What would you recommend for a 20x60 size greenhouse?  Is that too large?

If you can get them cheap, I think cattle panels (often called hog panels out here) can make some nice quick tunnels that you can stand up in. I would grab a truckload if they came my way. And bonus: you can repurpose them instantly.

A larger structure is a problem though. I agree with the suggestions of others: they would need a lot more support for a larger structure, and that kills any cost advantage.  

Maybe multiple tunnels would be a better approach? Just spitballing.

EDIT: Pardon me for being a slowpoke, the conversation progressed prior to my post. Pokey or Gumby? I dunno, I'm flexible.

For 20' wide, if you want a single poly or inflated double poly greenhouse (or hoop house), I'd just go with the bent metal hoop set-up.

If you want something stronger to hold more weight, the curved or bow trusses might be worth it.  They're much more work and probably more money than the hoops.  The greenhouse in my previous post has an insulated north wall with metal roofing.  More substantial than what a hoop could support.

We call that sort of metal product as welded mesh.
Comes plain or galvanised.
Sheets are up to 8ft x 20 ft.
As reinforcing mesh for concrete they cost about $A60, hoops cost about $A30 secondhand, so the sheets may be practical here.

Hi,

So Points are, You are on 20 acres in Alabama, USA.

You want to build a green house with an aquaponics system.

You also plan on having solar panels.

Your area gets snow and hurricanes.



Are you sure that using cattle panels, is going to be strong enough for your needs?


I am concerned about the designs video shown before and its ability to hold up with snow fall weight, strong winds, and movement of earth beneath it!

With particular concern to the moment forces effecting the structure!


I believe several other people have mentioned building strong trusses, and building concrete flooring! this is something that I think is a good suggestion!


Would you consider looking into a Paul weapon earth ship?


Thank you for listening,
Regards,
Alex

[quote=Alex Moffitt]Hi,

So Points are, You are on 20 acres in Alabama, USA.

You want to build a green house with an aquaponics system.

You also plan on having solar panels.

Your area gets snow and hurricanes.



Are you sure that using cattle panels, is going to be strong enough for your needs?


I am concerned about the designs video shown before and its ability to hold up with snow fall weight, strong winds, and movement of earth beneath it!

With particular concern to the moment forces effecting the structure!


I believe several other people have mentioned building strong trusses, and building concrete flooring! this is something that I think is a good suggestion!


Would you consider looking into a Paul weapon earth ship?


Thank you for listening,
Regards,
Alex






[/quote]

In our area we really are too far north to worry about hurricanes and snow is very limited ... right now leaning towards the hoop design.

Thanks

Just to toss in a thought, would 2 or 3 smaller structures be easier to build and still serve the purpose?

Michael Helmersson wrote:

Trace Oswald wrote:For the size you are talking about, a bow shed roof may be the best, most cost effective solution. Search Stimson bow roof shed for cheap plans. They are easy to build, but will take some time.

I think you mean this?:

https://www.by-the-sea.com/stimsonmarine/bowroof.html



These are pretty cool.

Right now -- this is the design we think will work.  Thanks everyone

Hi Michael,

Great to hear about the weather conditions.
Ok, so Structurally this will be sound!

In regards, to airflow please see this youtube video giving a comprehensive explanation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP8YndXz7r8

In addition to the video,
Some Points of interest you may want to add to your toolbelt are...
earth tubes
auto misters,
Geothermal cooling and heating,
Vertical vs horizontal fans,
Having your bathroom fan and or kitchen fan, clothes drier, and greenhouse fan, pump the moist air to be used to grow mushrooms.

Aquaponics,
Ideas,
You may want to also consider having in addition to rainbow trout,  which are great btw!
also having mussels, which are great at filtering water.

Thanks for listening,
Regards,
Alex

I built this greenhouse. It is extremely sturdy and could easily be expanded.