Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Lol, Was that the reason we missed mars on that probe? Dodgey math. Nice setup G.

But that doesn't rhyme, Greenedo.

I thought we missed Mars because half the team was doing metric, and the other half was doing English.

Yep thats it JP.

The meter is pretty bad too, but I guess that trying for too much precision can cost a bit in the artistic portion. And people can always complain that 18-20 figures isn't enough, that's why mathematicians just use PI.

Steve's idea of aluminum foil covered insulation is what I used for my walls and ceiling. The foil is 98% radiant heat reflective (infrared reflection). I describe my walls on my system forum. That and cases of caulk have made my greenhouse very cosy on the coldest day.

Cosy is good, can just emagine what it would be like sitting in that hot tub with a glass of wine and loving every moment.

We have two Oak Rockers in the greenhouse. First the wine/cheese/crackers in the swirling water, then some conversation in Terry cloth robes on the rockers in front of the radiant heater. Life is full of hassles, but you can still make things pretty good, if you try! ...and I DO try

Great place to shed the burdens of the day for sure.

Yep greenedo...that is just how far I have it memorized. Comes in handy for my space missions. Here on earth I 'measure with a micrometer, mark with chaulk, and cut with a dull ax' which is close enough for government work. The table looks real functional and I will settle for that any day. Gee, now I can not post any more of my photos for fear of extreme criticism

2, 4 ,6, 8
photo's we appreciate
3, 5, 7, 9
who needs pi when there's crackers and wine!

Hi,

I suppose this stuff is revenge for the couple of thousand times that I've gone off topic, huh?

Gary

It used to get my knickers in a twist, but now I just go with it, these folk are funny, you must admit.

ps - your system looks great I love the satellite pots and run to waste ideas, they make koi ponds a viable alternative as you have

a) massive biological filtration PLUS

b) water changes from the run to waste

Very good, top marks!

I feel remorse for going off topic.....oh good, it is passing now and I feel much better!

Back on topic, I really like your setup Gary. It is seriously practical at growing food...and for me that is a large goal. You mentioned the convenience of moving the trays and the ability to augment feeding and use chemicals as ncessary. That is very practical.

Because I am starting my system with small fish, I do not think I will have adequate nutrients to start. My idea was to use a soil/compost mix in the net pots so the plants would see some food other than the weak fish tank nutrient. Then people woke me up to the Pythium disease problem with deep flow tanks and soil combinations. Now I am thinking of feeding fish emulsion by foliar spray. You have solved that by going open loop. Do you have enough plants in the closed loop to get rid of the nitrates? I have been told the ratio of fish to veg should be low (more plants). What do you think?

Doug,
I've been reading some of Nick Savidov's stuff and other AP research. It was stated (somewhere in my reading) that for every pound of fish harvested, you can expect 7 pounds of veg. That rather blows my mind--still coming to terms with it. I think it might be fun to weigh everything coming out of the system and see what I get.

Those numbers (or close) have come from several sources including Dr. Racocy at UVI. I would say Dr. Racocy and Dr. Savidov are one and two in North America for deep knowledge and experience in aquaponics. As you know, our cousins in Australia have really taken the lead and they have quite a few experts with this level of ability. Dr. Racocy's system uses 2 100' x 4' grow beds in series for every fish tank. He states that the greatest profit and productivity is in the plants.