Finish Concrete Countertop, Aquaponics Solar Heater & Living Room Complete | Weekly Peek Ep216

[@MidnightAmratha]

Your kitchen looks like a million dollars, excellent execution.

[@mikesheahan6906]

The picture fences look like the "Weekly Peek" Fence.

[@maggievedrenne7379]

Beautiful, couldn't do better myself. Very good ideal.

[@gailasgreatdanesandmanes1042]

Ohhh you're right! Love it

[@agalla98]

I could just see the sliding barn door made out of pallets as your pantry and hall doorways... but I'm sure you'll come up with something absolutely stunning!

[@susanmathis1682]

Beautiful way to tie things together

[@debolsen3294]

Love how Garen and Ellie are making their home theirs!!!! Love your decor! And that kitchen is so very cool!

[@susanmathis1682]

We agree. ⭐️ looking forward to the full house 🏠 before and after video.

[@susanmathis1682]

Ellie has a cool design style!!!

[@sheilatodd7280]

I don't even remember how I found your channel...but I have to say I'm so addicted. Love your projects, your ingenuity, your talent, and most of all your family. Can't wait for the baby. So so glad Dad is cancer free! Love your family! Thank you for sharing your lives with us.❤

[@umptyscratch13]

The heater looks like the inner workings of a cassette tape !!!

[@debmac1173]

You can tell Ellie is nesting, she is just glowing!

[@user-qt7ph8tp3h]

One of the most beautiful home done kitchens i have ever seen, great job! 😍

[@rimshot7272]

Paint the inside of the solar oven black.

[@Daplinksta]

What he said.

[@gregfritz8102]

@@Daplinksta Yes, white reflects, black attracts heat

[@amber_Forever16]

Shannon_Psych he heard You and he listened lol I’m sure You know but he did do it eventually

[@MMPutnam77]

What if you painted the back of the heater black? The black would attract more heat/light than the white and might increase the temperature. :)

[@randynovick7972]

Yes, this. Adding some thermal mass to the white areas, like gravel or gluing a layer of rocks (also painted black), will help hold the heat inside for longer.

[@TheMrAshley2010]

+

[@karenblanck7726]

Agree...a dark color is needed to absorb the heat. In his example dark interior cars get much hotter on inside.

[@diannecaron164]

Paint it black and add dark tile or clay behind the coiled hose to hold the heat after the sun goes down

[@oakstreetpv]

Yes to black. Thermal mass won't add energy. Cold should enter at the bottom and hot out the top. Finally, a simple control for the pump that runs the pump only when the panel is warm. I heat all my household water with solar.

[@lindarobinson2299]

Beautiful People with Blessed Skills!

[@sheliaberry877]

Ellie, you did a great creative pallet wall hanging with shelves and other pieces of art. Y'all have done a nice improvement in your living room. Garen, the creative countertop backsplashes really add a lot to the kitchen. Bryson, I like the way you "keep on keeping on" in discovering solutions to your "projects"! Shae, it was so good to see you on video this week. Family "funnies" are always welcomed. God bless

[@sweetscatlady]

Ellie your picture shelves look really awesome. I would like a couple just like yours. Will have to show my son so he can make me some. Also my grandmother's name was also Ellie. In fact it was Ellie May. Miss her. Your house 🏠 and your in-laws place are really looking awesome and completely coming together ❤. Waiting patiently for the little baby girl. ❤

[@bloomisty11]

yay Shae! Glad to see her!

[@susanmathis1682]

Aaawwww we were hoping to see another pair of those one of a kind, hand painted, adorable baby shoes 💖

[@bitteroldman8528]

Bryson, check out "life uncontained". They did a solar water heater for their house that seems to work.

[@michiganengineer8621]

I _think_ they're using their solar as a preheater for an on demand system. But yes, that should work nicely for the aquaponics system!

[@bitteroldman8528]

@@michiganengineer8621 ya, they are.

[@lironmtnranch4765]

Loved the "Weekly Peek" picture shelves! On the backsplash, instead of making forms for the electrical boxes, cast the electrical boxes right into the concrete. Hold them to the form with a single screw into the center from the outside. On the back have an extra deep box facing the wall box so the wires have plenty of room to fold into during installation. Premoistened drywall patching plaster is susceptible to shrinking and cracking when applied thickly, and blooming/crumbling when exposed to water later. It's meant for thin layers and small fills like taping new drywall and patching picture hanger holes. Around windows and wet counters, and for large fills use portland cement or dry plaster of paris based mortar. An idea on the hydroponics, to cut down on heat loss at night you might be able to run the pump for a few minutes every hour or so. Roots will stay sufficiently damp, and you'll save on electricity and heat loss. Design so power interruption doesn't shift the intermittent pump to daylight hours. Heater should go in the main tank, if the pump fails with it in the pipe so will the heater. The tube heater is great, paint the inside black and the sunlight can indirectly heat the tubes instead of reflecting right back out. I once read an analysis comparing the BTU potential of burning a barrel of oil to heat water versus making it into solar black tubing. The collector brought in as many BTUs as burning in a matter of WEEKS, has a life expectancy of 10+ years collecting millions more BTUs, at the end of which it can be recycled and made into new tubing! Also, in summer running water through the panel at night will help remove heat from the system, but probably nowhere near the scale of the plant tubes.

[@leofarns1]

You need to paint the interior base of the solar sink black.

[@susanmathis1682]

Shay ❗ wow you look beautiful! Your sweet spirit ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ is so beautiful! Gosh our family sure missed seeing u. ”Happy u r back!

[@maryanntatum8959]

The MLH family members and projects bring so much joy into my life and I want to thank you for your generosity in sharing it all with us. I just spent 3 weeks in the hospital for repiratory issues and pneumonia and couldn't get my MLH fix. I was jonesing bad. May God bless you and all your family richly in 2020 and prayers are sent for peace, love, joy and wisdom. Anxious for arrival of Baby Girl, Azzie. Much love

[@lennieseaman]

The heater or heaters needs to be in the largest volume of water, otherwise the water will move too fast over it to do any good....👍love you guys...❤

[@katl1489]

Omg, exactly what I was going to say. Put in sumerged and even if creates a warm spot, the fish will still be happier.

[@aimeem]

Seconding (thirding?) that. You could put several heaters in the tank too.

[@dper1112]

This. If the heater is placed near the top of the big tank, that's where the warm water will be anyway, because warm water rises, and the fish will stay close to it. Just like a natural body of water, except a little warmer in the warm spot.

[@MELODYMUNRO]

Plus a clear corrugated plastic lid and wrap tank in insulation to retain heat.

[@surfviewgardens2396]

Great video! Gary and family (and Ellie) are excellent craftsmen/craftspeople. It's nice to see Winter Apple participating more. Thanks! - Jim from Phoenix

[@anonymousmom2222]

Drop the Heater into the tank and the fish will gather round it. What a beautiful kitchen, you guys so deserve it. Good job on the shelves Ellie, ties the room together.

[@MimiMcWil]

I am soooo impressed with the entire kitchen!!! Envious!!! I can't say it enough!!! The whole space looks so great!!! Awesome job!!!

[@garym9356]

Love the Backsplash …. Well done!.....And Moms do know best....lol... ; - )

[@deanie3246]

Your kitchen looks so custom and it sits so well in the space it’s in. You have waited such a long time for this and it must feel so satisfying to know that it’s almost done.

[@jayneswanson4267]

Your Family is amazing! I am in love with counter tops and backsplashes...Gary give yourself a huge pat on your back!!!!! You worked so hard making the cabinets and painting them and installing them!!!!! The counter tops are gorgeous!!!! You are a great carpenter!!! I love what Elie and Garen are doing to their house! Bryson, is there anything you don't do well? I think greenhouse is so great...I hope the fish have warmer water soon. Let us know how it works out! Great videos from an awesome family!!!! 😍😍😍

[@MrGothgirl1976]

I love the fact That ya'll Make stuff Out of random things Very cool ❤💗💓❣💞💜💕😻😍😘🥰

[@labouleverserie6126]

Shelly seems like such an awesome wife and mother. So sweet, smart and supportive. :)

[@trickychristopher]

Beautiful work Mr.Gary! I'm glad ya'll are back. Happy New year to you all, may your 2020 be blessed and prosperous and healthy.

[@suzi7715]

Shae, it was so great to see you!!! Ellie, the house is looking good, the pallet picture shelf turned out really cool!!!! What a great idea!!! And Gary, the counter tops look really good too!!! See yinz next week!!!! :)

[@ic3p1k]

I love Garen and Ellie's pallet shelves! They came out so good! Also, the cutting boards set into the countertops are a great idea!

[@christiedecker2724]

Week by week as I watch, I am amazed at your style, your creativity, your love for one another. Thank you for letting us watch. I am learning much but it feels like my own creativity grows along with yours. Thanks so much for inviting us into your lives. God bless and keep you all in good health this year and forever. Blessings!

[@rlcarver]

Everything looks fantastic! Creativity in the city does not even compare to what you all have created out there. Really neat, unique, accomplished individuals thriving on your beautiful homestead. Thank you for sharing. Ellie, great finishing touches on your cozy home!

[@kimfitzgeraldrockfam8973]

the kitchen looks so good great job Gary

[@Nathanm7977]

looks great everyone. Can not wait to see the next big project. Happy 2020 everyone

[@stephbarnes8962]

Happy New Year to you all ..... I’m early for a change being in the UK it’s 12:35am and I can’t sleep...... absolutely love how good the kitchen is looking with the counter tops

[@NanaTrece9444]

I love the respect you show your mom. Good job mom and dad.

[@MaryGatdula]

I really love Ellie's pallet shelves. I wish I could see how you manage to take those pallets apart. I tried one once and found it was impossible! Would love for you to show how it's done! Another great video guys.

[@michellelindsay5727]

I love the bookshelves that you made out of the scrap wood and how you alternated the shelves. Your finalized kitchen counter looks so fabulous; it’s impressive! I love the your black and white photos of you and Ellie. They are so memorable. I’m sure you will be taking many pictures of your precious blessing when she arrives. ❤️

[@TeeVeeZed123]

‘Perceived time or real time?’ Good one Gary! Counter tops and splash backs look fantastic, so it was time very well spent.

[@TheBriarPatch]

Re: the kitchen... what an amazing change from what it was before! Beautiful!!

[@virginiak.452]

I loved the suggestion of the spice rack on the back splash. If one of your boys/men could make you a bunch of matching small containers you could line them up on the backsplash with pretty labels. Great idea mom!

[@cbshomebizplane]

Wow everything looks great at both homes and Bryson understanding that mother always knows best LOL and Shae there wow no longer a stranger LoL. God bless you and will be listening for your Monday podcast 🙏❣️.

[@ricknelson3607]

Painting in back board on the water heater would make a big difference.

[@DenisJava]

G&E's living room looks great! I was not convinced on that wall color at first, but now that things are accessorized I really like it. The kitchen looks fantastic! The whole living room/kitchen expanded room is beautiful.

[@felicityfraser5383]

We use black poly pipe to warm pool water, put a couple of coils on the tin roof.

[@missingallmymarbles7670]

For the solar heater it will be more effective with everything inside painted matte black. With the flat back, you don’t want it reflective because it will just reflect the sun right back out of the box. I definitely agree with the suggestions of putting the small electric heater in the main tank-especially towards the bottom third to half of the tank and as close to the center as possible. Having warm spots will keep the fish warm enough to be fine even if the overall temperature isn’t what you’d prefer

[@guyina4x499]

I had a buddy who just laid out couple hundred feet of black garden hose on the ground and ran a small pump to circulate his pool water through it. It worked!

[@randomharts]

The heater reminds me of a cassette tape!

[@joelmckenna6150]

the sun light is the worst way to expect energy through the weather. thanx for your support

[@hollyslaughter5505]

With the water heater, since heat rises, I suggest putting the outlet at the top.

[@QueenMAB666]

I love the heater, but may I suggest lining the interior of the casing for it with the metal sheeting? Might increase the heat inside there and aide in heating the water faster. Cheers!

[@rondaweber5773]

The burlap ceiling still is looking good. Years ago I thought eehhh.. in a couple of years it will get saggy, but it is still looking amazing. I love your imagination and bravery and follow thru. After all these years you still are ready to try new things and have the cheerful attitude. If it works, great; if it doesn't, no problem we will try something else. You are a true inspiration in living an abundant life. Thank you for the blessings you give!!

[@dianemoonstone4715]

Agree! Do love that attitude and can-do spirit!

[@johnd5805]

We love dads back 100% and we love Shae

[@susanmathis1682]

We agree. We missed her. Where did she go? We Love her new hair color!

[@maggievedrenne7379]

God bless y'all. The most beautiful I know.

[@austinbeimers4440]

@@susanmathis1682 she has a job that is where she is during the week is these videos

[@susanmathis1682]

Oh, that is good to know. Hope she likes her job. We remember one winter she was a ski instructor. Well, we think we remembered that. Seems like she is great w kids and sports

[@susanmathis1682]

Oh, that is good to know. Hope she likes her job. We remember one winter she was a ski instructor. Well, we think we remembered that. Seems like she is great w kids and sports

[@RobbieSongwriter]

That kitchen came out awesome, especially first time out on cabinets and the concrete countertops. I've been designing for over 40 years, and your creative design ideas continue to blow me away. Garen & Ellie's wall decor also gets high marks for originality and green reuse of materials, plus they didn't overcrowd any walls. 👍 Cudo's to Bryson's "keep on trying" attitude on the heater. Paint the backing black - you said it yourself "The white will reflect the heat." But you want black to absorb the heat. You'd also gain more heat if you made a bigger backboard with a little space between the coils of the hose. More area to absorb heat will gain you at least 4 degrees. Alt. idea: 🤔Solar teakettle: Make a BIG pan (maybe from the roof of one of the junked vehicles), painted black covered in glass, running a shallow flow across it. (Air is a poor transfer of heat to the hose.)

[@madmex2k]

I have seen where a concrete countertop was made on a home improvement show and they added colored tumbled broken bottle glass to the mix, and it came out beautiful with all different colors of embedded glass in the concrete. It was sanded down, sealed and treated, and it was as smooth as your countertops look when it was finished. Beautiful job on your countertops.

[@birdiesworld8784]

Love you guys you’ll are awesome

[@maryallen6334]

What a great video. Love what Garen and Ellie have done with that room and the kitchen looks fabulous. You'll be finished all these wonderful projects just in time for when the baby is born - what fun

[@kscheuerman5378]

Fantastic job Gary, the backsplash looks great!! Garen and Ellie are doing great on their place. Soon they will be done on everything before baby comes. I hope you get the heater working really good for the fish. Take care and God Bless the whole family.

[@Mrcaffinebean]

Backsplashes really came out great. Very nice install with the electrical. I like that it’s still in a regulars box.

[@barry99705]

Gary, those counters came out awesome! Bryson, dude, paint the insides black! You'll get extra heat out of it that way. You want the box to absorb as much light(heat) as you can. We built a solar heater for our pool with a couple tractor radiators. Put them in boxes like you have and painted everything flat black. The water coming out would steam some days.

[@robertscheapguitarplaying2264]

Bryson...Listen to Mom..she is always right... Love the countertops now they are finished, lots of work for Gary, but they will last longer than you'll ever need them too. Love what Garen and Ellie are doing with the house. Making it your home, and a great one to raise your growing family. Thanks again for letting us be a part of your family.

[@Me-ev4ix]

I LOVE Ellie's picture shelf! I need a step by step tutorial for dummies!

[@harpermartin6806]

I LOVE the kitchen! & Garon & Ellies place is adorable! I love the cozy, rustic, country feel.

[@melindaoa8668]

Yay! Another video.❤️

[@daniaguinaga1754]

Can we just take a moment to acknowledge how cute Mom and Dad are in those beanies?!

[@kristys7172]

The kitchen looks awesome! You did a great job.

[@Foxys10]

I love how Brison makes everything so perfect and aesthetically pleasing. Even has a frog by the pump. The backsplash is beautiful. And the living room is so cool! Thank you! Happy New Year! 🎆

[@jackienjoevienneau4262]

Gary the countertop and backsplash are amazing, what a great job with lots of love and hard work. Garen and Ellie your living room looks awesome the DIY's turned out great. Fantastic weekly peek as usual guys can't wait til Monday and what is up for next week. Have a wonderful weekend. ☺️🌈

[@WikkidVyxen]

It's so beautiful!💜

[@angiebetts8900]

Ellie's baby bump under the 'Think Big' shirt is super cute!

[@MsJWheels]

Kitchen is looking fantastic! Can't wait to see the final touches. The pallet shelf was inspired! Love the 3 ceiling fans!

[@patriciaabell9393]

What a dream kitchen! My eyes wander slowly around every detail... I'm in like!♡

[@douglasolsen1208]

The living room turned out very nice. Shows what a couple people with an artistic bent can accomplish. We are amazed here! And the countertop project!! Wow! Happy New Year to you folks, too!

[@patriciahazeltine9986]

That kitchen looks AMAZING!!!! A kitchen I would love to be able to cook in!! You have given me great ideas to warm my pool in the future. Looking forward to seeing baby pics added to Garen and Ellies new shelves!

[@stilcrazychris]

I like the kids shelves that look like your weekly peek fence. Nice job on everything. Y'all need to pat yourselves on the backs. I know it took a lot of sanding on those back splashes to get right. Great job family. A family that works together can do anything they put there minds together. More hands means less work for all. That's what our pastor use to tell us on clean up days in the church. It's so true. We would have a lot of people there to help clean the church & church grounds. It would only take a few hours out of are day. Now I know the more kids you have in your family. The more Mom & Dad can rest & watch them kids clean up the kitchen have dinner time... 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Have a wonderful day/ night, where ever you live & may your New Year of 2020 be filled w/love & laughter, Chris from Missouri

[@marshaloveridge1527]

You are all amazing, how you can take ordinary objects and make them so beautiful and functional! Love the video!

[@brendaandrezeywski7577]

Oh my🤩 everything was great!! Picture shelves ...what can l say?! WHEN are y'all opening a store?!! Cowboy hat is awesome 🤩! The kitchen just blows me away more each week! God has blessed this family with so much talent! 🙏💕

[@ednarichardson4975]

Enjoy always can’t wait for the next episode

[@tayrawrh]

A building with flower light jars like in the kitchen but with a Mandela instead omg 😍😍😍

[@RedefineLiving]

I love the countertop and backsplash too. Great job guys 👍

[@andreaculbertson7581]

Your whole family has done so well. Love seeing all the DIY, how each small piece makes the WHOLE piece a work of art. Wishing you a Happy New Year, good health & many more family projects.

[@JimMeeker]

Bryson, in addition to painting the back panel black, you could put some of those big rocks in the bottom of the tilapia tank to be a thermal mass.

[@ze-xi8rf]

Pallet shelving looks good!

[@susanmathis1682]

Totally agree!!!

[@latherookie]

The countertop looks amazing, thanks for helping to convince my better half that this can look great.

[@sandygraetz5166]

Kitchen is beautiful! Well done! Enjoy! Your son is crazy bright! As are you all!

[@mikegarrison3101]

That kitchen is way cool! And I like Garen and Ellie's shelves!!!!

[@glendaayers3297]

You all have such creative ideas. I love your brain-storming. One question: why is everyone wearing hats inside?

[@gittekaan3689]

We do that too, it keeps you warm, we have no central heating only a wood stove.

[@danaowen9014]

Nice to see you back on videos shae.And the kithen backsplash came out so nice. Ellie you have such a great eye for repurposing things, the shelfs look amazing and made with love. And that stetson hat that Garen made is so fitting for the living room.

[@thebusbums2825]

You guys post my favorite tv show every Friday. It's something to look forward to for sure. Love your countertops! You guys did such a great job

[@quiltedladibug1]

Ellie the curtains in the living room ...try this move the curtain rod to the ceiling and cut each panel in half and add band of accent. color. We did this with a second set of Curtains from the dollar store it looks fantastic.

[@angelicagriffin7809]

Yay! Shae did the voice over for the opening of the episode and she is present for the video! It’s good to see her. I know we have been told she is ok and just working but actually seeing her is just nice. I know I was concerned maybe the stress of Dad being sick might have been the cause of her absence so it’s good to see all is going to be ok 👍 😊

[@JanColdwater]

The kitchen turned out gorgeous! I can't wait for the baby arrival! 👍

[@watermellie]

Ellie is in super nesting mode!

[@PippiLong1]

Oh my... what a job that back splash was. Turned out great The picture shelf's looks good. House is looking cozy. Good Luck on the heating system for the aquaponics. Trial and error. Stay tuned....

[@warmlantern0000]

Lol my fingers get stuck too like Bryson. Good job everyone ! The dad is so sweet.

[@kcconaty5270]

Beautiful Kitchen, Beautiful Living-room & Home made Shelves💖 Fish warmer 👍

[@westfallvoice]

I made a rocket mass heater with a platform that I put my water tanks on. I used broken concrete for the walls to hold the dirt and stove pipe. It was 4ft X 2ft X 8ft. This would radiate heat up wards for the tanks. It keeps the water temperatures more stabilized for night time temps. I also took a water proof tarp sewed it like a giant pillowcase and filled with house insulation. I wrapped my water tanks with the filled tarps to hold in the heat.

[@davidbartolini]

We made water heaters back in the early 80's using a sheet of 4x8 plywood, 2x4 sides and copper pipes snaking through the now 4x8 box. We used aluminum fins soldered to the copper pipe for heat collectors. the then placed pink insulation behind the pipes, then spray painted everything black. We then put a plexiglass lid (sealed with calk) and topped with a trim plate with screws to secure. It works as a thermosyphon. We used it in northern California (Near Redding) as a pre-heater for the hot water heater. It was pretty efficient, even in the wintertime. So your hose heater may work fine.. might have to scale up a little for the amount of water you have and paint the interior black. Might want to insulate the tank too.