Aquaponic Gardening

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Green Acre Aquaponics

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Green Acre Aquaponics

This is a group for those that want to stay connected with Green Acre Aquaponics. At Green Acre, we are focused on optimizing commercial growing with the newest techniques and technologies for integrated system growing.  Recognizing the value of integrating media bed growing into raft (DWC) technology, this hybrid aquaponics design optimizes nutrient density by allowing the additional metabolization of valuable solids typically removed from DWC systems. Why remove the most valuable element in an aquaponic system when it can be utilized to produce better and more abundant growth?

Website: http://www.greenacreaquaponics.com
Location: Brooksville, FL
Members: 225
Latest Activity: Jan 30, 2018

Discussion Forum

Green Acre Update!

Started by Gina Cavaliero. Last reply by Aquaponik Berater Sep 5, 2013. 1 Reply

Hi there!  We have been so, sooo busy here at the farm that there is little time to check in here or update about what we've been doing and what has been going on and there has been lots!  Our latest…Continue

Tags: commercial, Acre, Green, aquaponics

Biosecurity in Aquaponic Systems

Started by Gina Cavaliero. Last reply by Peter B. Fogg Feb 23, 2013. 15 Replies

In light of the recent conversation surrounding worms in an aquaponic system and the potential of the introduction of contaminants, I had a discussion with Jim Rakocy about it.  After having visited…Continue

Tags: biosecuity, e.coli, safety, food

What Criteria Must be Met to be Aquaponically Grown?

Started by Gina Cavaliero. Last reply by Linda Sunshine Haynie Mar 24, 2012. 19 Replies

Is any product that is grown with fish effluent water qualified to be considered aquaponically grown?  For instance, a plant in a pot filled with peat and vermicompost or other media and placed in a…Continue

Tags: standards, certification, aqauponic

Farmers Market Tips and Tricks!

Started by Gina Cavaliero. Last reply by Chris Schup Dec 7, 2011. 19 Replies

Part of being a community connected small farm is having a thriving Farmers Market presence.  After a lot of trial and error and also getting some great tips from Ann Forsthoefel's presentation at…Continue

Tags: marketing, selling, market, farmers

Comment Wall

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Comment by Averan on January 5, 2012 at 1:53pm

The cool thing with koi is that they're pretty to look at....if giving tours is part of your biz model then building a beautiful koi pond instead of a tank might be something to consider!

Comment by Gina Cavaliero on January 5, 2012 at 1:47pm

I definitely agree with the microclimate theory.  We happen to be in one of those cold pockets.  Perhaps it has something to do with elevation.  We definitely don't have that nice feature that Dave has!  Certainly another plus to living by the beach, huh?!   I just talked to my farmer friend again that lost 90% of her crops.  Her family has been farming in Brooksville for close to 80 years and she has said that the last 4 winters have had harsher freezes then any she can remember.

I'm certainly not saying that just any aquaponics here requires a structure, however I think  growing commercially in this area or farther north would be a huge risk without one.  We were again below freezing last night for 8 hours, but heating the structure made a huge difference.    While it was 25 outside, we kept it above 32 inside.  We also have a new design that is very economical to build and is actually integrated into the system.  Simple and feasible to do and it affords plenty of insurance against loss provided you heat on very cold nights!  We won't make that mistake again.  

It just makes sense to exercise caution when making statements or generalizations about growing commercially in Florida relative to weather conditions as Florida has some radically different climates depending on the location in the state.   It stretches close to 500 miles from south to north with a 28 degree temperature differential in winter lows and places that never even come close to 32.    

Dave, how are your Tilapia doing at 58?  A bit sluggish, I bet!  We are actually going to transition to Koi and Catfish.  Being we are not marketing our Tilapia, it doesn't make sense to cultivate a fish that is not cold tolerant and risks mortalities at 55 and below and as a result just incur a cost from having to heat the water.  

TC and Sahib, know of any good bulk suppliers on either?  Thanks!

Comment by Averan on January 5, 2012 at 9:55am

My little outdoor system is not insulated at all and completely exposed to the elements.  In order to slow down heat loss at night I take the cap off my siphon to convert my flood and drain bed to a constant flow.  Every little bit helps, right?

Comment by Sahib Punjabi on January 5, 2012 at 7:53am

I agree with your explanations TCLynx and David Lindemann. We have insulated our tanks and have seen temps in the low to mid 50s. Lost the basil and a lot of the summer crops. We have covered the tomatoes (although probably a little bit late...we will see in a day or two), and a few other plants. The Papayas remain uncovered and so far seem OK as do the Banana plants. The both of these, you usually see the damage a few days after the warming trend begins.

A greenhouse, actually a "hoop house" would certainly be a wonderful addition to any system and yes essential for any commercial growing. There you have too much to lose.

God bless

Comment by wes on January 5, 2012 at 7:46am

Oh I forgot to mention we are in Vero Beach so we are just about exactly in the middle of the state right on east coast so temps werent as bad as they could of been.

Comment by wes on January 5, 2012 at 7:44am

Wes here we are on the east coast of fla about 5 miles from the beach and we had more frost this thurs morning than wed morning. I covered my outside grow beds with tarps and our green house was hunkered down, we made out with no losses so far. I keep the water warm with on of those homemade 110 watt 1200 volt water heater elements and my water temps have been staying at 68 degrees steady so far so good.

Comment by TCLynx on January 5, 2012 at 7:44am

Yep, a flood and drain media bed is a really powerful heat exchanger.  My systems are all media based and mostly flood and drain so my water temps dropped quickly when the cool off happened.

Comment by David Lindemann on January 5, 2012 at 7:41am

I completely agree that there are a lot of microclimates and major differences in climate in different parts of Florida.  We all know that the thermal mass of water holds heat very well and that includes all of those ponds, lakes, retention ponds, and even sewer pipes.  But most importantly, it includes those huge blue parts on the map that we call Oceans.

I currently have a completely outside system and my system water temperature at 9:00am today is 58 degrees.  Everything that holds water is insulated and covered.  The outside temperatures dropped into the 30s for the last three nights, but daytime sun and warmth kept the water temperature up. The temperatures are much warmer near the coast than in Central Florida.  

Another consideration is the type of system.  A flood and drain system will lose heat much faster than a raft system, because of the greater surface area of the water contacting the air.  

Comment by TCLynx on January 5, 2012 at 7:26am

Mine actually came back from some cold in the past but a hard freeze while they are getting too much water will kill em and frost does them damage.

I had one in a pot that I was planning to protect from freezes but it didn't get covered so I fear I killed it.

Comment by Dave & Yvonne Story on January 5, 2012 at 7:08am

Papaya.. I started several plants last summer. one is doing very good, has fruit.

It seems to me that these are very susceptible to the cold   <40f

Am I correct?

 

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