Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I am asked by many others and I find myself at times asking subconsciously, “Am I an AP expert?” I have never thought of myself as an expert in any area, just ask my wife and she will tell you she wishes I was an expert in marriage relationships.

Let me try introspecting it on a rating scale where do I stand on those dozen characteristics that are exhibited by real experts. I just hope my own self-rating makes sense and comes out close. I may be wrong. Correct me with what you think.

Credentials/education: 3/5
Knowledge: 3/5
Experience: 2/5
Communication Ability: English - 2/5, Local language - 4/5
Connectedness: 3/5
Curiosity: 5/5
Learning (desire to): 5/5
Commitment: 5/5
Authenticity: 5/5
Openness: 5/5
Open-mindedness: 5/5
Clarity: 5/5

The sad fact in the AP world is, there are a lot of people out there passing themselves off as experts who aren’t experts at all. Those who may not even have a working hobby/commercial AP system and are giving information in areas they have no business speaking on.

Although some posts may seem like put downs or discouragment, I believe that it is either mainly constructive criticism or cautionary views. You have to understand that we dont want to see anyone fail and trust me there has been many that have come to this forum with huge aspirations and dreams only to fail horribly and not only take with them investors money but also the people involved. In some situations, these people have been highly skilled in numerous areas to make it viable. Its not a nice thing to watch unfold.

Having said that, I dont think there has been anyone here that has said you will fail, we just want you to have the right information and direction before you get too involved, or get others too involved more so. I think your commitment alone will see you do good things as long as you take all information on board. It would be a great thing to see the people of your area feeding themselves or at least having access to nice fresh produce at decent prices.

The AP experts, as you describe them, are actually very knowledgeable members from years of exposure to many different aquaponic, hydroponic and recirc aquaculture systems and designs. Commercial experience can be measured at so many different levels becuase there are so many different pieces to the pie and thankfully you do fill many of those pieces but unfortunately one of the critical ones which is aquaponic experience, leaves a few members uncomfortable.

I think I speak for most of us when I say I wish you luck, just keep your excitement at a controlable level and get it right and do your family and people proud.

Hi EB



Well if that is the concern/point that can be expressed without rediculing belitleing and general bashing, in particulare from a narrow group of oldtimers, even including, some of the mods, of the forum IMO

The "tone on the forum" thread being posted do to the above matters, a few egar newcommers have been cha,ised of the forum for not following the pack, is my observation over the few years I'w been here.

A "big" AP guru from AU had a go this year at introducing AP in India what a blummer

NA is on a mission (selfe proclaimed) 20/20/20 and, has choosen AP, as the tool to achive, the last 20

He has : the local knowledge needed, on all available resources, power/water/pipes/...............
Further, he's got land, time, money, dedication, theatching/buisniss exsperience, social posistion, honnor to nurse (reputation), so he,, might fail (like a lot others) in his AP-mission but he can not afford to be a cheat, -read: take the money, and walk out. with some ignorant excuses.

So, he put it all out in the open, THIS IS ME & MISSION to sucseed (I hope he will)
I understand that some of it is "AU humor" or I'w been explained so, and thats fine. But some is not

NA "with the right kind suport" from all over, can bring AP to another level "The Indian Way" ,and that might be good thing if not, I have a feeling he will still be on his mission, to fullfill the last "20" for the better of his comunity.

If people here are conserned about "the people" not affording to attend, or be a part of the journey, "those that really need it" ?? as some here put it. I often wonder what such statementes are based on ?
AP might be a opurtunity fore some folks, in India, more so, if there is a local knowledge base, so you don't have to go to Florida/Collorado/Wirgin Isles/Alberta/UK/...... with airfares, lodding,etc........ to pay for, and bringing home, exsperience, from a differente climate and infrasructure.

I share some of the technical consernes exspressed by ROS and others on fish densieties/FCR/ ...... and hope we are wrong, if we are right I hope that NA will detect and adjust, in do time, to prevent fish kills etc.
(he dosen't apear stupid IMO)

Sorry if I offended some, I, just had to vent some thaughts on "the tone of the forum"

cheers

Thanks mucho, Charlie. I am rereading your post and have noted down all the points. Well said.

Have good news to share. Power, fish feed, fingerlings, plant seeds, etc., are going to be FREE for the AP farmers and a subsidy on purchasing pondliners and pumps - a government official in Kerala/India just now confirmed. It looks like one big achievement, cost-wise.

Good news Vijay , well done
Hope your enthusiasm carries you thru...
A bit of local knowledge may see success were others have failed.

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. So is a lot.

A.Einstein.

Oops wrong thread...



Oh and what Charlie said.

A view that many of us have been expressing consistently for a long time...

And a view that's usually compounded by most of those promoting themselves as "commercial experts"... usually start doing so... without, as you say.. having a working hobby/commercial system...

And/or.. almost universally promoting themselves as "commercial" trainers... within months of building their "operation"... almost always before even having harvested/sold a single plant... or fish... indeed most don't even sell their fish...

Perhaps you might be beginning to see why many have responded to yourself.. in the same light... and the concern we might have accordingly...

I don't have a problem with your promotion of "aquaponics"as a concept at all... or even as a disseminating conduit of collected knowledge about aquaponics...

Thanks for this response, Rupert. I always wanted to look at you as an AP mentor, on a positive note. I would also like to tell you that I read all your posts spread all over the internet not only in BYAP forum but several other AP forums where I have been simply a lurker.

BYAP is the only forum in the world where real AP discussions happen and help is provided to AP beginners instantaneously, FREE. Kudos to Joel and mods team, they try to manage personal differences very well.

We'd like to personally thank all contributors at BYAP. If our AP efforts in India does some good in the Aquaponics world, I hope all individual contributors at BYAP feel a measure of satisfaction from knowing that they were instrumental in all of it.

Have good news to share. Power, fish feed, fingerlings, plant seeds, etc., are going to be FREE for the AP farmers and a subsidy on purchasing pondliners and pumps - a government official in Kerala/India just now confirmed. It looks like one big achievement, cost-wise. [/quote]


That is great news! I would like to make one more recommendation. Work on getting corporate sponsorships from the companies that make the pumps, pondliners, plumbing suppliers, and fisheries. Use that money to sponsor your meetings for the lesser privelaged that would not otherwise be able to afford to attend.
It would be great for you to have some small scale demonstration systems to show people that they do not have to have a commercial system to help put food on their families tables as well. I think you are on the right track and have good intentions, but your over-enthusiasm sometimes makes you come across in a negative way.

That is great news! I would like to make one more recommendation. Work on getting corporate sponsorships from the companies that make the pumps, pondliners, plumbing suppliers, and fisheries. Use that money to sponsor your meetings for the lesser privelaged that would not otherwise be able to afford to attend.
It would be great for you to have some small scale demonstration systems to show people that they do not have to have a commercial system to help put food on their families tables as well. I think you are on the right track and have good intentions, but your over-enthusiasm sometimes makes you come across in a negative way.[/quote]
Thanks mucho for sharing these! Points noted... We've never thought about these before.
Small scale demo systems? Can you briefly explain what you mean by this?
Enthusiasm is infectious, isn't it?

Thanks mucho for sharing these! Points noted... We've never thought about these before.
Small scale demo systems? Can you briefly explain what you mean by this?
Enthusiasm is infectious, isn't it?[/quote]


Maybe you could incorporate a small backyard system into your classes. Something that the common man could acquire parts for and build a small system. Something similar to Nat's or mine that are cheap and easy to build. I feel that it is important for people to know that they don't have to have a larger system like yours to supplement their diet.

Sure.. pl have a look at the attached picture. We are cycling this demo micro system for that purpose, 300L tank and a raised gravel grow bed. No external filter. It has an aquarium aerator and a water pump.

is that enough bio filter for fish in that tank?

Probably OK for a couple of goldfish...

Jay, it is lightly stocked for now... 15 tilapia of 40 gm each.