Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

A memorial for Cheyenne

The longest day of my life was this past Monday, when we viewed my baby daughter for the last time and laid her to rest. I would never have thought that something could take so much out of a person as to have to burry a loved one – the sense of loss and pain is something I would never wish upon another human being, no matter who they are…

Since the funeral I have spent long hours wondering what I should do next, as she died so suddenly right there next to my nursery and aquaponics system… she loved helping me weed the pots (she however pulled the plants out and left the weeds), was attracted to my AP system and had hundreds of hours of fun in and around the pool area – looking around the area I can picture everywhere, doing all sorts of things!
My first instinct was to shut it all down and shift it all to a far off location… but that would be running away and throwing away reminders of our beautiful child…

Instead I have come to an agreement with the college that the area where my nursery is will be fenced off from the rest of the pool area. It will then be known as the Cheyenne Memorial Nursery – which will house the aquaponics system as well as the nursery.

In the far end of the nursery I will be building a memorial pond and water fall for her – this will be appropriate for her as she LOVED water and any manner of water fall (and yes, I too realise the irony). It will be nestled in a corner with a bench where I, and others, can sit and be at peace or contemplate issues.

As it is so very far away from a power point I am trying to get a solar powered pond pump to run the waterfall and pond – but as of yet have not been able to purchase one – I keep bidding on them on Ebay, but I get outbid every time (funds are very tight so my budget is small – and will be for a while). If anybody knows where I can get a good solar powered pump cheap (like the ones on Ebay), PLEASE let me know as I can only manage between $40 and $50… for now I will just keep bidding on Ebay.

I still have to properly plan the waterfall, but I think I will go to the local streams and rivers, collect river washed rocks and stone, then use them to develop an idea. All I have in my head for now is : it will be solar powered, I will use river rock/stone, it will have a nice pond with small fish in it and it will have a bench to sit and gather one’s thoughts… the ideas will hopefully form and gather as time passes…

Below are some of my fav pics of my darling angel - she was so vibrant...

Mr Mad, that is a beautiful idea. Will her tree be there too?

I wish we could help you out with the pump, but alas we have no solar gear at all (not since I sold it)

I'm sure some marvellous, big-hearted person here will be able to help you though.

The nose-pick is a great photo!

Jaymie, Alex, Garion and Bethany

such a cheeky lil grin hey , once again my love to you and your family

AM, do you have a link to the type you mean?

Below is one I have not been outbid on... its only 400L/H - I dont seem to be able to find one with a bigger pumping capacity
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/HEAVY-DUTY-SOLAR ... dZViewItem

If there are other types which are better etc please let me know - I wont/cant plan my waterfall untill I purchase my pump as I need to work around the head heights etc.

I'm not sure how we'd do this, but I'm sure we can round up enough between us to get AM the squirtin'est pump ever - cash is probably tight for all of us, but if there is an account I can donate something into for this purpose I'll be happy to contribute to the Chey Memorial System. Maybe a check or money order in the mail direct to AM is easiest. Waddya reckon ??

i was secretly going to buy it for him on ebay and put his mailing address down.

But thats a good idea big mick.

AM, you dont get a say in it cheque or money order sounds good.

At least that way AM, you can get yourself a DECENT 12V pond pump and source an appropriately powerful solar panel.
Bigger water falls mean bigger splashes, and every one likes splashes

How do you want to gibe out your email addy? maybe if people PM you for it?

I came on here to help me focus of something other than what was threatening to rip a hole in my chest - and ask for advice, now this - I cant express my thanks...
Steve, you said "DECENT " pump, is the one in the link DECENT ?

Pm me sounds best I guess...

David....if you set up a Paypal account I will contribute to the cause as others may do as well..... that way you can bid with confidence! If you already have a Paypal account, please provide the account name in a PM or post it here.

...and those pictures, what a happy camper!! Thanks for sharing.

AM, what is your PayPal account ? Just post the email address for your PayPal account and we will just see what happens....
Ok AM, get onto it mate!!!!!!
No mucking around !!!
Muzza

AM, ebay listing specs have a way of being technically true, but dissapointing on delivery, for example i wouldnt be surprised if the pump there shat a 3mm spray 3m in the air ok, but flow? dunno!

Just sit tight.

Aquamad... I sit here with tears running down my face. I to have lost a child to drowning in a pool. He was a beutiful 2 year old boy. Although I do not know your personal grief, I do know the road that you and your family are now on. If you would like to talk, pm me or my email is (email address removed) - There is much to be aware of as you travell through grief.

Here if you need me

Brian Hobbs
(Aussieponic)

That is so true Steve. My 4500 litre an hour pond pump that I purchased from ebay the week before last, which is meant to pump 3500 litres an hour at 1 meter head is in fact pumping 600 litres at 1 meter head. That is a fair bit different to what is promised.

Dave - I'm not sure ebay is going to be the place to get this pump. Make a call to a local pump place in Cairns and find out what is available to make a real waterfall (as opposed to a trickle) and also that will last the test of time. I'm sure we will then be able to do something about getting it.

For those who want to help by making a donation, so that David (Aquamad) can build the memorial pond and waterfall, donations can be made here:

http://backyardaquaponics.com/cheyenne/cheyenne.html