Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello Everyone,

I have been interested in aquaponics for some time now, having lost a great deal of sleep over the topic when I read about it in 2005.

I got extremely fired up about aquaponics , for all the reasons it deserves, minimal foot print, reduced water use, localized food production, appropriate to a wide variety of climates, etc.... and I planned on building one.

We received a copy of The Book, and I poured over it for days (I still put the movies on when we have students in our house for "movie night").

I am a director of a small NGO in Belize called Maya Mountain Research Farm. We are working on the intersection of agriculture and the environment, strengthening food security through biodiversity, and training people in agroforestry and renewable energy, especially photovoltaic lighting systems and photovoltaic pumping. Aquaponics fits in well with what we are doing, both by creating food, and reducing demand on wild fish.

The problem in paradise came a wee bit later when I realized I would need a substantial battery based renewable energy system to power it..... which would have added a HUGE cost to the system, with a large array of panels, a big battery bank, etc, etc, etc, and we decided that we would have to build a pond, instead.

I became less actively interested so as to avoid being perpetualy disappointed when we decided we wouldn't be able to build a system soon.

Well, a year and a half has passed, we have yet to get around to the pond, focusing, as it were, on a new classroom, a state of the art double vault composting latrine, and a goat pasture. So the pond is, as yet, not built.

We will still build a pond, but... I think we can use grow beds with plants to act as biological filters for the pond, which will be small, and use a small solar system to power the aquaponics .

My question is: has anyone built an aquaponics:wav: system that ran off of a battery based photovoltaic and/or wind system? If so, I really need to talk with you!

It is nice to see how large this place has grown, and how quickly aquaponics has taken off. You should be really proud of yourself, Joel!

More power to you all, and Up, Up, Joel!

Happy new Year,

Christopher

I think photovoltaics and wind power would be great for pumping water around and aeration of a pond.

It will be interesting to see how your project develops.

I think that there are people here who have experience with PV and I notice also that there is some recent discussion on direct mechanical wind power for pumping and aeration and electricity generation from wind.

I cant really help but I`m sure if you surf through the threads you will find what you need.
Tim C might be able to help with the solar as I think he is heading that way.
Happy new year Christopher

aeldric uses a PV powered pump and nothing else I think.

hey christopher,

good to see you around. just wanted to say i have read many of your posts at the permi foum and i'm a huge fan of your work. i would love to see you around these boards more. you have some great ideas.

catch ya round.

hey BF... seen a few references to the permi forum, what's the address

Hi RupertofOz try here
http://forums.permaculture.org.au/
cheers
Pete

Ta Pete

Christopher - can't help you with the solar, but good to see you haven't given up on the AP thing. Can't say I've missed that bloody AP wave thoug :-)

Good to see another NGO out there helping the people. I am working in Indonesia with an orphanage and appropriate technologies. Right now i am lucky as we have power for the pumps but when my wife and i move to Sulawesi it is uncertian what kinda power we will have.

We have thought about using water wheels to power manual pumps (will be trying this in the village soon). And are looking at other ways to make the systems as independent of grid electricity as possible.

I had a look at your website and thought it was really great. My wife and I are planning on building a similar training institute here in Indonesia on the Island of Suluwesi (for a starter). Keep up the good work

Hey guys ..

I worked as a aid worker ...

have you been in touch with NRI ... UK?

Natural Resources Institute .. Chatham .. UK ..

Used to be called overseas development administration (ODA) of the British Government ...

They have had research regards best practice in regard to aquaculture in developing countries .

google it .. and get back to me ...

Didn't Jaymie mention some lady that just dumped buckets of fish water on the plants every once in awhile? I've also seen a "system" that was just pits dug in the ground and the pumping would all be done by hand with buckets. Human power is an alternative energy source too!

I saw that too, just plastic sheeting layed in shallow ground level beds with the 'tank/pond' dug out of the ground and lined too - there is a link to it on BYAP SOMEWHERE , just dont ask right now ... way toooo many posts to wade through

Wow, thanks for the warm welcome! I am excited to be here!

Bio-farmer, thank you. Do you post over there at PRI?

Veggie Boy, yeah, I know what you mean with those little guys. Real pests! They followed me here, I think. Dangdest thing! Whenever I say "aquaponics", out they come (sound of running feet "You rang, guv?") I'll have to beat them with a stick and treat them bad to keep them away....

JT, that is important work, working with orphans. Luckily there are not a lot of orphans here.

Water wheels would do the job you talk about, but there is a device called the "water motor" which I think would be fantastic, made in.... Peru... Bolivia..., not sure, that can act as both a hydro generator, making electricity, or, by switching the belts, can become tool, a table saw, a grinder, etc. I tried googling it, but my google skills failed me. I have it in a magazine, somewhere (nI never throw these things out), and I'll look for it.

I have to admit I wish I had one of these.... but we lack ssufficient head and flow to make it happen, and use photovoltaics and a wind turbine to power our house, very boring in comparison.

These types of generators require substantial drop and flow, which may not be appropriate for your location, but if they are, they are the cadillac of renewable energy systems, and cost a tiny percentage of what a solar system would cost. Since I am unable to do this mydself, part of my suggesting it is that if you do it, I can live vicariously through your exploits (life here can be dull).

I will be watching this thread for any more info, and going over older threads to see what info I can glean.

Best wishes to all!

C

no i don't but i'm a long time browser of the boards.

i love your closed system approach. using one part of the system to benefit another. a symbiotic relationship between all parts to make the sum greater.

i hope you can put the ideas into action some day.

all the best for your future endeavors.