I currently have these raised beds in my greenhouse and am looking for water storage solutions for thermal mass. The space underneath the beds seems like the perfect solution, but I am struggling to find a container that is sturdy and space efficient. (I don't want to use 5 gallon buckets because I can only fit three across under a bed, and then there is a ton of empty space behind them being unused still.) Any suggestions?
Second picture is what I thought was a perfect solution, using 27 gallon storage totes, but as you can see the tote is already bulging, so this doesn't feel like a great long term solution.
(Also reposting because in my last attempt I apparently deleted this entire description.)
by Turker99
4 Comments
No easy answer but you can build boxes with pond liner that fit perfectly and use that.
Yeah, that tote isn’t structurally sound to hold that much pressure against its walls.
Unfortunately, that isn’t enough water to make a difference in heat retention for overnights, and since it is shaded, it makes it even harder for the water to absorb light.
Something like that is going to likely need a few 55 gallon water drums.
[How to Heat a Greenhouse Without Electricity](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lU7cvF_mxyk)
[Greenhouse Passive Heating (Does it Work?)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDk2jBEB85Y)
Depending on the size, how hot it gets, and how warm you want to keep it, it might need more barrels.
Unfortunately plastic containers usually can’t absorb much heat – if you had metal containers they’d be ideal for your thermal mass needs 🙂
There’s too much heat loss right now for thermal mass to make a big difference. I would suggest you insulate some walls first which will make the thermal mass way more effective.