Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

They grow tropical type prawns in hot spring water in New Zealand

I would think that the reason people aren't living on the moon or mars is because it would seriously suck....... I wouldn't want to live there even if you could, and I think that's the basis of things in this discussion. Just because it is possible to do something, doesn't mean that it's efficient, desirable, or recommended.

Yep

Bulldust. I can spend all day bucketing water from ft to gb and be off electricity all together.

Can I call on you VLT when there is a power outage at my place?

Depends if you can wait the 6 months it would take me to walk over.

I my self think it is possible to run an AP system off grid. I just think some of you look at it in the wrong light.

Heating can easily be achieved using solar water heaters. Basically a radiator in reverse. Some have even tied them into radiant floor heating systems with good results. They could also be used to heat(more like maintain a temp) in a large body of water(FT,ST) that will hold the heat during the night to keep things warm. The idea there is to use a massive ST(largest you can fit into the building w/o losing FT or GB room and line the entire bottom small pipe/hose attached to the solar water heater. Large bodies of water take longer to change temp which why it would be the most efficient way to heat a small structure.
Dig the building deeper into the ground so it will use the earth to insulate. Cheap and effective way to insulate.
The biggest problem in his plan is the building he pictured. He needs a greenhouse. That would cut down massive on the need for solar electricity. Search for earth walled greenhouse, they stay warmer then a typical greenhouse because they reduce the number of low r-factor walls in the structure.

I have the same goal as him but intend to do it in a low cost manner while unemployed and in college.
I plan to use a 10,000+ gallon natural swimming pool divided in half using one half as a FT. Then a 20ft x 45ft(give or take) greenhouse with about a 1000+ gallon ST built into the north wall of an earthwalled greenhouse.

Heating using solar has been discussed many times on this forum. Basically they only heat the water during the day and the tank gets cold again over night. This just creates a larger swing in temperature which could stress the fish.

I am not sure how large of a volume of water you would need to negate this.

I still don't think you can be totally 'off grid'.

Power is easy - just requires money.

Water is easy - rain water tanks.

Plants - collect seed.

Fish - for us in Australia: Trout and Barra wont breed in a tank. You may be able to do it with Tilapia.

Fish food - while you could have a BSF Pod they are not a complete diet for Trout or Barra. You will still need to buy in food.

Wow that was a strange video.



The reason we are not living on the Moon or Mars: they are harsh environments. So harsh, we have nothing to compare them to. Even the antarctic or the top of mount Everest are better environments. Not saying we shouldn't go, just saying it isn't easy (or cheap).

Look all I am saying is that just because it is not mainstream science, it does not mean that it is not possible. Think about who that "law of physics" benefits...

Two videos for you to consider...

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOGAkRkCWfA
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGRsQZx6zWA

I didn't know "$=Possible" was a law of physics.

Right, the laws of physics allow it but the laws of economics don't so much.

I just got confirmation from two solar companies that what I am doing is possible, even in low light conditions as long as I provide a battery backup. I am not moving onto phase two of the operation.

To those that supported me in my endeavour, I will personally send you a copy of the blue prints after I am finished. Thanks for your support, even though I just arrived, and I hope for further positive support in the future.

Too all the sceptics, you know where you can cram it...



I doubt what your saying highly. If someone put a resort in space, billionaires from around the world would be visiting it on a regular basis. The look out your window would cost a much a 300 foot yaught.

Keyword there, he said live, you said visit. Of course people would want to visit. Wouldn't want to stay too long. Yes there are people who "say" they want to live on mars. Ask them if they still want to live there after they've been there for a couple years. You're basically living in a bubble. No fresh, outdoor air. Very low light levels (not for those like myself that get winter depression). Cold. Very cold. If it wasn't for the fact that you would get to experience an alien world, Mars would be no playground.

Nothing wrong with skepticism. If you weren't skeptical of anything, you'd believe everything every person every told you. Don't confuse skepticism with criticism. No one here is criticizing your ideas, but we have every right to be skeptical. People jump onto the forum all the time with tons of claims and ideas. We can't believe them all. However, please feel free to prove to us your ideas. We would love it.