Options & Features

Below you will find photos and an explanation of each option we offer in addition to the standard features of the Growing Dome.

Vents

Univent Openers

The Univent openers are standard on the smaller domes and have proved to be very satisfactory over the years. In high wind areas they may not withstand the forces involved in which case you would want to upgrade to the Bayliss option as described above.

Electric (110v) Cooling Fan with temperature activated shutters

The Electric (110v) cooling Fan is included in the kit for the 33' - 51' domes. In some circumstances the owner may want to upgrade to a solar powered option. For details see description below.

Solar Powered (12v) Cooling Fan Upgrade

The solar powered cooling fan upgrade is for the 33' - 51' domes that normally come with 110v cooling fans as standard. However, if you want to be more energy efficient you can upgrade to the 12v fans that run off a solar panel. This would save on electricity costs, however, the 110v cooling fans only use between 50-85 watts each, which is the size of an average light bulb. They are on a thermostat so they don't run all the time.

The downside of the 12v fans is they only bring in 1/3 of the amount of cooling air of the 110v fan (1000 cfm as apposed to 3000 cfm). If you wish to have everything operate by solar you would need this upgrade.

Extra Solar Powered (12v) Cooling Fan Option

If you live in a very hot area of the country, you may find that the normal combination of cooling features may not be sufficient to cool your dome in the summer. In this case, we recommend adding an extra solar powered cooling fan to any size Growing Dome. If the outside air temperature is over 95 degrees, this option may not help and you may want to consider a swamp cooler.
Here is a company we recommend: Kansas Wind Power.

Solar Powered Waterfall

The solar powered waterfall is chosen for two main reasons.
1. It provides aeration for the tank which the fish enjoy and helps to slow down algae formation.
2. It creates a wonderful ambiance inside the dome.
The waterfall only runs when the sun is shining as it is directly wired to a solar panel that runs the submerged pump. The option consists of a pump, solar panel and connecting hardware.

We offer two types of solar powered waterfalls and you'll need to specify the one you want when ordering.
1. Decorative Bamboo
2. Dish that you fill with attractive rocks from your environment

Door with Window

Some people enjoy having the door with a window and we've shown a picture of that below. It can provide another source of air flow as it has a sliding opening window with screen.
The polycarbonate glazing is clear, but distorts images, so the window in the door allows you to see out clearly in that direction.

Bottom Plate Options

Our normal bottom plate on the wall is pressure treated lumber. It is covered on the outside of the dome with hardi-panel siding and the inside is covered with sheet metal. The plate contacts the gravel immediately below and does not come into contact directly with the soil in the beds. The reason we use pressure treated bottom plates is because most building departments require these and they last longer by resisting decay and are also resistant to termite damage.

Some people are very concerned about any chemicals in or around the dome, so for this reason we offer an upgrade as described below.

Redwood Bottom Plate

Shade Cloth

Shade cloth is very useful in hot areas. It cuts down the amount of heat entering the dome. The shade cloth is sized for each dome and comes with strings and screw eyes to connect to the outside of the dome and it pulls over tightly. You may have to cut a hole in any area where a solar panel or vent might be obstructed. Most people put it up in June and take down in October.

Metal Glazing Strips

The Growing Domes come with aircraft tape as a standard feature to seal the seams between the panels. This tape has a life of approximately seven years and will eventually need to be replaced. It does provide a leak proof dome and we have been very happy with it over the years. However, we are experimenting with metal glazing strips with a different kind of tape underneath. We believe the strips will slow down the degeneration of the tape and be more cost effective in the long term. These are still in the experimental phase and we continue to refine them.

2ft Wall Option

Heating Options

We often have people ask about heating options. We do not sell heaters, but recommend a Southern Burner Heater which is specifically designed for greenhouse use. Another option is a Mr. Heater top attached to a propane tank which you would set next to the water tank. This heats the water and allows it to radiate the heat throughout the dome.