
Welcome to the AP channel, broadcasting from the country of Texas. I Was attracted to the site after I ran into one of helomech's posts and noticed the tall pines and red dirt that I call home. I dont personally know anyone with an aquaponics system here in Texas, though after lots of research on the internet it seems many people are very successful. I have already begun clearing for a small 10x15 foot greenhouse and will be building as soon as possible.
I have lots of knowledge with hydroponics and began digging into organic gardening last year with mixed success. After witnessing the power of hydroponics and vermicomposting I had planned to marry the two until I kept running across this word called Aquaponics. After I began to grasp aquaponics and biodiversity I decided that I was going to give it a shot and maybe this time next year bring my food bill to ZIP.......and none too soon, with all the GMO's, rising food cost, and the scam of 'Organic' labeling I ask myself everyday why I even bother going to the grocery store. I guess because I've been programmed to.... That will end, with the birth of my aquaponics greenhouse and begin a new, healthier chapter in my life.
After moving back home from Austin, and getting settled, I started growing red wigglers again from kitchen scraps. I stumbled upon a native strain of duckweed and have been cultivating it indoors in an aquarium tank with two happy mystery snails and a fiddler crab. The crab enjoys the duckweed, and somedays can clear quite a large section of it. Ive noticed the snails indulge from time-to-time but stay pretty busy with all of the organic debree still in the tank from various dead duckweed parts. I have run a few tests on the duckweed just for re-assurance and will post the results once i gather pics for a report.
Now that I have two great sources of food, I would like to add fish to the equation! Does anyone have some extra tilapia fry this time of year? If not, I will just have to start with goldfish, as my aim is to produce enough fish waste to begin growing some winter vegetables, and be extra ready for expansion in the spring-time.
Deuces