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Offlinenycomyco
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Registered: 11/13/03
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Grow Room Shelving Options
    #19265377 - 12/12/13 11:38 AM (10 years, 2 months ago)

This subject's been bounced around on the forum but I could use some help figuring out what our best options are.

First of all, for spawn room we plan to follow Amanita Virosa's design.  The only difference is we can't bolt to the ceiling so we'll have to use cross braces.  That's lumber, conduit, and goat fence, pretty straight forward.

As for materials which can hold up to the growing environment, that's a little trickier because any material's going to be pricier than lumber.

Our specs:  W:6' D:3' H:6'  Five shelf platforms total per shelf from just above floor to top- 18" spacing between shelves.  Hope to pack 15-6lb blocks per platform x 5 platforms = 75x6lbs = 450 lbs.  6' is a pretty big span so I think we'll need two vertical supports in the middle. 

I like the idea of using goat fencing as the platform material because it's so cheap.  One issue with fencing, as opposed to shelves which rest on brackets and therefore load the vertical supports, is that creates inward tensile strain on the vertical supports which will require extra strong cross beams.  Right?

For vertical supports, RR suggested 1" angle iron before.  Can anyone speak to what "wall thickness" (like gauge) would work?  Using metalsdepot.com as a reference, a 6' length is $2.70/ft for 1/4" and $1.70/ft for 1/8".  There's also 3/16 available.  3/16" is also available.

Some folks use PVC.  I want to avoid pvc bc it's nasty stuff to produce, plus it outgasses  (can coat with hardseal to limit outgassing but still, nasty stuff and we're already using it as hoops).  If you have a strong case for pvc though let's hear it!

How about metal pipe?  Is there any difference between electrical conduit and water pipe.  Diameter and thickness?  Seems like this could be cheaper than angle brackets by a little.

In general whats the cheapest material to use that will still last many years in a grow room.  Iron?  Steel?  Galvanized Aluminum?

Keep in mind we want to use goat fencing so those vertical supports gotta hold up to some tensile force when loaded with bags.

Also ease of building is a concern too!

Thanks!


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Offlinedrake89
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Registered: 06/26/11
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Re: Grow Room Shelving Options [Re: nycomyco]
    #19267342 - 12/12/13 07:07 PM (10 years, 2 months ago)

my shelves are pretty cheap for being strong.  the blocks take up a fair amount of space, though.  May consider metal 'post' supports when we move.

blocks (8x16x8) are about $1 each, 1/2" conduit is $2 per 10ft, 18" shelving was around $1.10/ft

pics are in the link in my sig. 

if you go with the sheep fencing, make sure you get a couple of thick wheels for an angle grinder.  shit's sharp


--------------------
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Offlinenycomyco
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Re: Grow Room Shelving Options [Re: drake89]
    #19268240 - 12/12/13 09:52 PM (10 years, 2 months ago)

Very nice looking setup Drake.  Do you think 1/2" conduit would support 3' span of goat/sheep fence?

Good call about those sharp ends- angle grinder will prevent seriously blood loss no doubt.


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OfflineGreenGills
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Re: Grow Room Shelving Options [Re: drake89]
    #19268858 - 12/13/13 12:27 AM (10 years, 2 months ago)

Do you have any issues with mold growth on the blocks?


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Offlinedrake89
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Re: Grow Room Shelving Options [Re: GreenGills]
    #19269708 - 12/13/13 08:03 AM (10 years, 2 months ago)

Quote:

GreenGills said:
Do you have any issues with mold growth on the blocks?



no sir, just on power cords in there.  that's safe, right?:tongue2:


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Offlinet3chnobily
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Re: Grow Room Shelving Options [Re: GreenGills]
    #19269733 - 12/13/13 08:13 AM (10 years, 2 months ago)

When looking for shelving my priorities are a. durable, b. easy to clean. c. cheap

I settled on 1" PVC conduit with 2 x 3 vinyl gutters for uprights. 

Easy to clean, easy to assemble, never corrode, about $50 for  10' x 5' unit with five shelves.  Holds 80 5lb blocks. I ganged nits together to maximize space.  Pretty happy with it so far.



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InvisibleAleon
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Re: Grow Room Shelving Options [Re: t3chnobily]
    #19269771 - 12/13/13 08:28 AM (10 years, 2 months ago)

Quote:

t3chnobily said:
When looking for shelving my priorities are a. durable, b. easy to clean. c. cheap

I settled on 1" PVC conduit with 2 x 3 vinyl gutters for uprights. 

Easy to clean, easy to assemble, never corrode, about $50 for  10' x 5' unit with five shelves.  Holds 80 5lb blocks. I ganged nits together to maximize space.  Pretty happy with it so far.






Very neat shelves!  The only things i would change is to use metal conduit instead of pvc and i would stack 3-6 shelves together instead of just two.  Thanks for posting this design. Have you filled them with blocks yet? The ones in the back of your picture are already bending the PVC.  After a year or two they may sag too much from the weight.  Only time will tell.


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Offlinet3chnobily
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Re: Grow Room Shelving Options [Re: Aleon]
    #19269793 - 12/13/13 08:38 AM (10 years, 2 months ago)

The back shelf was a test with 3/4" conduit.  I loaded to capacity and let it sit for a few weeks giving it a good jostle every day.  It sags and wiggles but held up just fine.  The other 8 units use the 1" and are much more rigid.  My tests at home depot, besides getting me some strange looks, indicate that the PVC is actually stiffer than the metal due to its thicker wall size.  Black iron pipe would be much stiffer but very heavy and expensive.  Also galvanized shelves could cause problems with organic certification.

Buckets are 8 LBS



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Offlinesolumvita
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Re: Grow Room Shelving Options [Re: t3chnobily]
    #19270551 - 12/13/13 12:28 PM (10 years, 2 months ago)

Quote:

t3chnobily said:
The back shelf was a test with 3/4" conduit.  I loaded to capacity and let it sit for a few weeks giving it a good jostle every day.  It sags and wiggles but held up just fine.  The other 8 units use the 1" and are much more rigid.  My tests at home depot, besides getting me some strange looks, indicate that the PVC is actually stiffer than the metal due to its thicker wall size.  Black iron pipe would be much stiffer but very heavy and expensive.  Also galvanized shelves could cause problems with organic certification.

Buckets are 8 LBS






Nice setup, thanks for the idea, I reckon the plastic is an excellent shelf, ever thought of running heating/cooling water through the conduit?


--------------------
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Offlinet3chnobily
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Re: Grow Room Shelving Options [Re: solumvita]
    #19270753 - 12/13/13 01:27 PM (10 years, 2 months ago)

cooling water would be slick but it would condense and drip on the sub


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InvisibleDRCola
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Re: Grow Room Shelving Options [Re: t3chnobily]
    #19295138 - 12/18/13 08:48 PM (10 years, 2 months ago)

Quote:

t3chnobily said:
cooling water would be slick but it would condense and drip on the sub




t3chnobily,

Do you have a system for hydrating your buckets, or is the moisture contained within? I'm very interested in learning more about cultivation in buckets. Would you have more information? Helpful/popular links, perhaps?!?  Thank you!


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Offlinewoodland_jewel
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Re: Grow Room Shelving Options [Re: t3chnobily]
    #19295281 - 12/18/13 09:35 PM (10 years, 2 months ago)

Quote:

t3chnobily said:
When looking for shelving my priorities are a. durable, b. easy to clean. c. cheap

I settled on 1" PVC conduit with 2 x 3 vinyl gutters for uprights. 

Easy to clean, easy to assemble, never corrode, about $50 for  10' x 5' unit with five shelves.  Holds 80 5lb blocks. I ganged nits together to maximize space.  Pretty happy with it so far.






Great shelving, and cheap too! Love it.


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Offlinet3chnobily
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Re: Grow Room Shelving Options [Re: DRCola]
    #19295323 - 12/18/13 09:46 PM (10 years, 2 months ago)

Buckets are just convenient containers to pack substrate in.  Fungipail insturctions covers care of buckets at home pretty well.  Otherwise its just a synthetic log.


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Offlinenycomyco
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Re: Grow Room Shelving Options [Re: woodland_jewel]
    #19300243 - 12/19/13 09:49 PM (10 years, 2 months ago)

Agreed, you make a good case for pvc...  so cheap, simple, and easy to clean

I just really worry about the amount of outgassing occurring when there are so many shelves.  There's stuff like SafeCoat which can prevent outgassing, but I wonder if that jeopardizes organic cert (not going for cert right away but maybe eventually).  They have a natural, "plant-based" version but I wonder how effective it is.

should I not be worrying about toxic gas?  I worry about mushroom quality as much as the safety of personnel working down there all day.  maybe I'm nuts.


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Offlinet3chnobily
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Re: Grow Room Shelving Options [Re: nycomyco]
    #19301515 - 12/20/13 06:03 AM (10 years, 2 months ago)

PVC is approved for potable water.  Unless you burn it its pretty inert.


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Offlinenanncee
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Re: Grow Room Shelving Options [Re: t3chnobily]
    #19301911 - 12/20/13 08:44 AM (10 years, 2 months ago)

I would agree that PVC is pretty safe. Most modern houses have their water running through PVC at some point(if not the whole house) if that tells you anything. I use free standing pvc shelves that I built for very little cost. The best part about them is they are incredibly light weight but have the strength needed.




Here is a pic to give you an idea


--------------------
I am a small scale farmer, come check out what we do. www.facebook.com/biocentricbros

Check out our Youtube videos. www.youtube.com/biocentricbros


Edited by nanncee (12/20/13 08:47 AM)


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Offlinenycomyco
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Re: Grow Room Shelving Options [Re: nanncee]
    #19312399 - 12/22/13 03:38 PM (10 years, 2 months ago)

Alright, I'm sold.  Gonna pick this up just to be extra safe: http://www.shopyourway.com/afm-safecoat-hard-seal-vinyl-sealer-1-gallon/241802180

Nancee, did you use 1" too?


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Offlinenanncee
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Re: Grow Room Shelving Options [Re: nycomyco]
    #19332386 - 12/27/13 10:06 AM (10 years, 1 month ago)

Quote:

nycomyco said:
Alright, I'm sold.  Gonna pick this up just to be extra safe: http://www.shopyourway.com/afm-safecoat-hard-seal-vinyl-sealer-1-gallon/241802180

Nancee, did you use 1" too?




Sorry I am slow at responding, yes I used 1 inch gives a nice rigid frame with all the weight.


--------------------
I am a small scale farmer, come check out what we do. www.facebook.com/biocentricbros

Check out our Youtube videos. www.youtube.com/biocentricbros


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OfflineCAP_TURTLE
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Re: Grow Room Shelving Options [Re: nanncee]
    #19338169 - 12/28/13 06:34 PM (10 years, 1 month ago)

For those of you using PVC pipe, what schedule is it?  The sdr 21 or the schedule 40?


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InvisibleThatsWhatYouGet

Registered: 04/22/12
Posts: 33
Loc: Nebraska
Re: Grow Room Shelving Options [Re: CAP_TURTLE]
    #19338444 - 12/28/13 07:38 PM (10 years, 1 month ago)

I don't use this for shelving but I would think it would have to be schedule 40.


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