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Post by anxiousmom on Aug 11, 2015 23:36:14 GMT
I just read an article about shade balls. While they sound like an incredibly economical response to preventing evaporation, I have to admit to giggling like a 12 year old boy every time I read 'shade balls.' Surely all y'all are snickering every time a news anchor says 'shade balls.' SHADE BALLS  |
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Aug 11, 2015 23:47:00 GMT
huh- never heard of it; but I gotta say, it's clever! (the biologist in me thinks 'will this affect any wildlife' but I'm hopeful they've thought about that.)
and it is kind of funny!!
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Post by keesha on Aug 11, 2015 23:49:06 GMT
are they anything like Schweddy Balls?  |
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ginacivey
Pearl Clutcher
refupea #2 in southeast missouri
Posts: 4,685 
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Post by ginacivey on Aug 11, 2015 23:55:34 GMT
or salty chocolate balls?
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Post by anonrefugee on Aug 12, 2015 0:59:51 GMT
anxiousmom don't leave us hanging - what ARE shadey balls?
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Post by lucyg on Aug 12, 2015 1:00:15 GMT
I've never heard of shade balls.  |
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Post by anxiousmom on Aug 12, 2015 1:04:25 GMT
anxiousmom don't leave us hanging - what ARE shadey balls? Essentially, they are a plastic ball designed specifically to prevent evaporation and algae growth in reservoirs. They are an incredibly low cost solution to a pretty difficult problem. If you read the article, you will get a much better explanation than my little unscientific brain can explain. But they have the rather silly name of shade balls.  |
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finaledition
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,896
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Post by finaledition on Aug 12, 2015 1:05:21 GMT
Considering the (lack of) effort I observed to save water in So Cal on a recent trip down there, this is the least they can do.
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Post by quinmm14 on Aug 12, 2015 1:07:11 GMT
Damn, another thing to add to the 'what the peas have taught me list. Assuming somebody is gonna enlighten me, No way in hell I'm googling that!  |
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Post by anxiousmom on Aug 12, 2015 1:09:40 GMT
Damn, another thing to add to the 'what the peas have taught me list. Assuming somebody is gonna enlighten me, No way in hell I'm googling that! Google away. It is big news today, so if you google shade balls you will see a bunch of different articles talking about them. This particular article also talks about the company as well which has a deep commitment to hiring disabled vets. It is actually kind of cool. |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 6, 2024 6:35:17 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2015 1:31:10 GMT
Damn, another thing to add to the 'what the peas have taught me list. Assuming somebody is gonna enlighten me, No way in hell I'm googling that! Google away. It is big news today, so if you google shade balls you will see a bunch of different articles talking about them. This particular article also talks about the company as well which has a deep commitment to hiring disabled vets. It is actually kind of cool. That's one cool company! |
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Post by lucyg on Aug 13, 2015 0:03:03 GMT
Heads up! Chris Hayes' show on MSNBC is covering shade balls tonight. Just started. The show, I mean, not the shade balls story yet. That comes later. anxiousmom |
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anaterra
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,082
Location: Texas
Jun 29, 2014 3:04:02 GMT
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Post by anaterra on Aug 13, 2015 0:19:35 GMT
Breaking news that i learn from the peas before main stream media.. love yall!!!
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Post by anxiousmom on Aug 13, 2015 2:04:27 GMT
Heads up! Chris Hayes' show on MSNBC is covering shade balls tonight. Just started. The show, I mean, not the shade balls story yet. That comes later. anxiousmomOh darn! I missed it! I just got home. Did you watch it? Was it as cool as I thought it was?? |
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,798
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Aug 13, 2015 2:25:42 GMT
My question is why are they black and not white? Black absorbs heat. Seems to me that the black balls would heat up the surface and speed evaporation rather than prevent it. Need to go read the article I guess.
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Post by lucyg on Aug 13, 2015 2:33:18 GMT
Heads up! Chris Hayes' show on MSNBC is covering shade balls tonight. Just started. The show, I mean, not the shade balls story yet. That comes later. anxiousmomOh darn! I missed it! I just got home. Did you watch it? Was it as cool as I thought it was?? It'll be on again at 11:00 pm your time. I missed it because talky people in and out of my house, annoying me. |
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Post by anxiousmom on Aug 13, 2015 2:34:27 GMT
Oh darn! I missed it! I just got home. Did you watch it? Was it as cool as I thought it was?? It'll be on again at 11:00 pm your time. I missed it because talky people in and out of my house, annoying me. Thank you! I will check it out-I drank a cup of coffee at book club and will likely be up until the wee hours. |
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Post by librarylady on Aug 14, 2015 14:05:41 GMT
My question is why are they black and not white? Black absorbs heat. Seems to me that the black balls would heat up the surface and speed evaporation rather than prevent it. Need to go read the article I guess. I wondered the same thing. |
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purplebee
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,790
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Post by purplebee on Aug 14, 2015 14:14:33 GMT
Really interesting. Thanks for sharing, anxiousmom.
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Post by gailoh on Aug 14, 2015 14:28:38 GMT
I really hope this helps out there...I feel for the people and the wildlife ....I keep praying for study rain , not downpours for them out west...Prayers couldn't hurt so they are in mine daily...
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smartypants71
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,816
Location: Houston, TX
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Post by smartypants71 on Aug 14, 2015 14:48:12 GMT
My question is why are they black and not white? Black absorbs heat. Seems to me that the black balls would heat up the surface and speed evaporation rather than prevent it. Need to go read the article I guess. I wondered the same thing. I imagine it is because light would pass right through the lighter color. |
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Post by lucyg on Aug 14, 2015 21:17:36 GMT
That question came up in the story and I already don't remember the reason why, but the guy did say the black balls were more effective for whatever reason.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 6, 2024 6:35:17 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2015 22:41:21 GMT
I think it's a great idea! The inventor is brilliant.
The name, though. Shade spheres? There is nothing shady about a sphere that there is about a ball.
But heck if they work it's fabulous!
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Post by pierkiss on Aug 14, 2015 23:03:59 GMT
I think it's a really neat idea! I hope it works like they want/hope it will
I am wondering though. Is there any concern for chemicals from the plastic to leech into the water? Are they BPA free?
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Post by theroadlesstraveledp on Aug 14, 2015 23:09:38 GMT
The article is funny. The different versions of it are funny too!
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Mary Kay Lady
Pearl Clutcher
PeaNut 367,913 Refupea number 1,638
Posts: 3,082
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Post by Mary Kay Lady on Aug 14, 2015 23:29:31 GMT
My question is why are they black and not white? Black absorbs heat. Seems to me that the black balls would heat up the surface and speed evaporation rather than prevent it. Need to go read the article I guess. They're black because of an ingredient that was added so that it wouldn't break apart in the sun. I'm thinking that they're about the size of balls found in a ball pit. What a great idea. |
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Post by hop2 on Aug 14, 2015 23:31:34 GMT
$0.36 x 96 million, they are doing fine.
I like that the company hires veterans.
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Post by kellybelly77 on Aug 15, 2015 0:37:07 GMT
I have nothing to add but my dd's and myself could not stop watching them dump into the water. It was the coolest looking thing!!
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Post by lucyg on Aug 15, 2015 1:34:55 GMT
I think it's a really neat idea! I hope it works like they want/hope it will I am wondering though. Is there any concern for chemicals from the plastic to leech into the water? Are they BPA free? They are supposed to be safe and not leach anything into the drinking water. I'm sure they're BPA-free. They will last 10 years and then they need to be replaced. |
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Post by papersilly on Aug 15, 2015 2:16:26 GMT
if the color black draws heat, why would they not use white balls to deflect heat from the water? Isn't black counter productive? Sorry, I haven't read the articles or watched the news pieces. Maybe someone can give me a quicky answer.
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