Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Janet, let me know when you want to travel this way! We will put the kids on the floor and make room. We can visit a tilapia operation and see a freshwater shrimp farm. I am thinking of putting some in the AP system. San Salvador is a hub for most major airlines. Bring the whole family.

Wow, what an offer, DT!! Give me some time to save up my pennies, though. Although I've been to various islands in the Caribbean, and Cancun, I've never been to Central America. That would be cool.

Janet & Christopher- I think it was simmo that had the stair-step system (stepped autosiphons). I am thinking of building into a hill that I have to landscape anyway, that would give me 5' of tiered beds (3 levels, dual alternating siphons on each level giving a flood cycle every 10 minutes on the top beds, every 20 min on the second set, and once every 40 min on the bottom beds. I want to do this to reduce the amount of water I'm pumping out of my fish tank(s) and still get the 2:1 ratio. I'm currently planning on 8 1/2 barrel grow beds, and 2 barrels of tank space. This gives the 2:1 ratio, but only pumps about 20-25gal of water out of the tank at any one time.

Woohoo! Go for it Greenedo!!!

I'll have to update my design on my thread....when I get some time....

yeh please do Greenedo, I'd be really interested in a bit more detail, particularly with the siphons

Greenedo, sounds great! I would like to see that! I think that multiple beds, gravity fed in series would offer lots of advantages, especially if you were on sloped land to begin with...

DTHawk, Yes, we have Rotoplast here, but only rainwater tanks. Also we have Tuff Tanks from Trinidad (Caribean-grower has what looks to me like Tuff Tanks in his system), which we use here for both rain wate and spring water. I would love to hear what Rotoplast has. Thank you for telling me about this.

I asked in another thread where you are in El Salvador. Are you in San Salvador? I would love to stop in and see what you are doiung, and you definitely have a place to sytay here if in the neighborhod (that goes for you, too Janet, and pretty much anyone), but we don't have an AP system yet.

I'd probably take the boat from Punta Gorda, Belize and then the bus from Puerto Barrios to Guatemala City, catch another bus to El Salvador.... maybe in May? Or see what a flight costs on TACA. I have flown them to Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama via San Salvador, but never had time to explore the country....

Hi DTHawk,

I found out that Rotoplasts are Mexican... which is too bad as on a clear day I can see Guatemala (and Honduras) from the ruin up the hill... and it would be much easier and cheaper to ship them from Puerto Barrios than truck them down from Chetumal. But I am really inspired by the feed and water troughs at the bottom of the bebederos page.

What are you using?

C

There is a plant in Guatemala too but not sure what is produced where. I whould know more tomorrow. I live in Jucuapa, on the eastern side of the country about 20 minutes from San Miguel. I am about 1.5 hours from the airport and the Tilapia farm is on the way so we can stop in there when I pick you up.

There was a young man here, an Aquaculture student, that made a very cheap system on a slope. Basically just a run of pond liner for the bed that flowed into a run of pond liner for a pond, very small pump.

I was stunned, he did it all for less than $100. I'm sorry I forget who but another member may well know, or he may surface to join this thread. I want to go big later in the year, the cheaper the better, though being in NZ I'll also want cover (greenhouse).

Hey AA whereabouts in Aeoteroa are you??

that was daniel

I just homed in on this topic and have found what looks like an alternative for Rubbermaid for us Aussies; www.gough.com.au/feedsmart.htm - I haven't gone further than looking so I can't quote prices. NEway have a look. Don

nice find, now how to get prices...................

They're in bloody Townsville. Good for Jaymie, but not for anybody else - and as if she needs any more tanks