Chris Smith

Male

Kailua Kona, HI

United States

Profile Information:

How did you find us?
internet search
Are you an aquaponic gardener already?
yes
If so, what type of system? (pick all that apply)
flood and drain media, Friendly-style raft, combination, I have two systems located in Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Both systems are modeled after Friendly Aquaponics designs. I am using deep water troughs. The two systems have a total of 800 square feet of raft space and approx 2000 gallons of fish rearing tanks. I have about 200+ lbs of tilapia in the various tanks.
How old is your system?
1 - 2 yrs
What type of fish do you grow with? (select all that apply)
Tilapia
How big is your fish tank?
2000 gallons between 5 tanks
Please tell us something else about yourself.
We have been selling our produce to our neighborhood on Tuesday, Thursday afternoons, and Saturday mornings. We give our neighbors an alternative to the over priced, poor quality produce that is sold in the local grocery stores. We now have a lot customers now and get new customers every week by "coconut wireless".

Comment Wall:

  • Sylvia Bernstein

    Hi Chris,

    Thanks for joining the Aquaponic Gardening community! I hope you find it a fun place to explore aquaponics. There is a real blend of experienced and new aquapons in this community, so please don’t hesitate to join in. Always thrilled to have experienced growers join us – please post some photos of your system!

    If you are interested in a forum or blog topic, but don’t want to join in right away, just check the “follow” box to be notified whenever there is activity on that subject.

    We have just one rule - keep it cordial (no flaming!).

    Thanks again for joining us, and I look forward to getting to know you.

    Sylvia

    May 3, 2010

  • Shawn

    Aloha Chris! Finally another member from the Big Island! Your system is amazing- and Kona has the perfect climate for aquaponics. Here in Volcano rainforest we tend to be somewhat 'insolation deficient', but I'm trying not to let that stop me. Give me a shout if you ever find yourself headed for Volcano and we can talk story...

    May 3, 2010

  • Shawn

    Ha! Sure enough, that was me. Small world, Big Island. Interesting idea on growing Wasabi- I googled it and it looks quite fascinating. Worth a shot, for sure- I'll try to get my hands on some.

    May 4, 2010

  • David Hart

    Hi Chris. I was checking out your pictures.....very nice set up ! What really caught my eye was the picture where you were setting up new DWC grow beds. The picture shows 2 of 4 beds set up and ready.
    Looks like you laid ground cover cloth down and built on top of it. Did you use "PT" 2 X12 's and drive rebar in to hold up the sides ?
    This may sound like a silly question.....do you have termites in HI ? The reason I ask, I'd love to copy your design....but here in FL, we have 'lots' of termites. I was considering raised DWC beds, but it would be a lot more work and cost.
    Thanks for the great idea(s) Chris. Take care.
    David Hart

    May 8, 2010

  • David Hart

    Hi Chris, Thank you very much for the pointers.
    Now that I looked closer at the pictures....I can see the 2x4's at the top and the ply behind.
    2 questions if I may....how deep/tall are they ? The ply looks to be between 8 to 12 inches (?)
    Also, what is "Sickens" ? Is that a brand name of water proofing for wood ?
    Again, thanks so much for the info.
    David Hart

    May 8, 2010

  • David Hart

    Hi Chris, thanks for the quick response.

    OK, that's what I was picturing....that you were cutting the ply at different heights/angles to match the ground level.

    I have to agree, deeper water is more temp stable. Here in central FL, we are (semi)tropical, but this past winter we had a few weeks of freezing temps.

    Thank you for the information Chris....have a great day.
    David Hart

    May 9, 2010

  • Seon Casimir

    Hi Chris, i am reallt impressed with your set up, it looks very good.

    I have one question for you, what is the material you use for the grow beds, for support and water containment.

    Seon

    Jun 24, 2010

  • David Hart

    Happy Birthday Chris !

    Oct 6, 2010

  • Shawn

    Hi Chris- Just wanted to say congratulations on that big tilapia in your new profile pic, and on expanding your operation with a new website and all! Well done!

    Nov 15, 2010

  • Shawn

    No clogging at all yet- the worms seem quite happy and always see lots of babies when I dig into the bed. I'm using black cinder for media. Never found ant wasabi plants- the one source on the mainland that said they would have some available in the spring, never produced. I haven't really looked since then.

    Nov 16, 2010

  • Jay Wolf

    Good Morning Chris,

     

    I have some pretty basic questions about a system that I am trying to start in MN and I was wondering if you had a little time to discuss.  Sylvia told me that we would be a good fit.  One more question, do you know Peter Amelotte?  He lives in the same city as you and he is my father in law.  Small world I know.  Thanks again!

     

    Jay Wolf

    Jan 11, 2011

  • Green Acre Aquaponics

    Hey Chris, we are wanting to get the product Botanigard for an aphid problem.  Have you used the ES, the liquid form or the 22wp, the powdered form?  Thanks.

    Jan 20, 2011

  • Green Acre Aquaponics

    Aloha Chris!  Thanks for the quick response.  I think you are right that the root of our problem is weak and unhealthy plants and the best solution may just be to get them out of the system.  We had some major problems at start up, mostly because we made a huge mistake!  Lol.  But it stressed our fish and stressed our plants and we are still trying to recover from it.  At the very least, we certainly learned from it!  Thanks for the congrats on both the system and the training.  We are super excited about both and can't wait to start sharing and teaching what we have learned.  I will get some new pics up soon.  I've been promising Tim pictures for weeks too!  Your system is awesome and thanks for sharing so much of your knowledge here.  Say hey to your Mom for me!  We had corresonded a little a few months back.  Did she ever get a system started up?  Take care, Gina

    Jan 20, 2011

  • rashid

    hi chris, your greenhouse looks good. i wish to have one soon. i love that

    Feb 16, 2011

  • Vlad Jovanovic

    Ciao Chris,
    Thanks for your reply. You really got me thinking about the cost/benefit of having the rafts on the ground...Thanks.
    Also, I just realized that when on your page you say that your system is based on "Friendly's design" you mean Friendly Aquaponics in Hawaii (and not some guy that you know :).  So I was thinking about ordering their construction drawings/guidebook for their 'Family system', and was wondering if you could tell me how helpful or how detailed their packages are? (Of course I will still want to skip the net filters/mineralization and use gravel beds like you are doing). 
    I guess I'll wait for you to work out those proportions, or just I'll just gestimate, the more gravel the better :)
    Btw...your garden is absolutely beautiful !..

    Feb 19, 2011

  • Nate Storey

    Hi Chris, 

    I love your photos. . . I'm really envying your climate right now.  It looks like your plants want to grow. . . mine, well, I have to talk them into it. Keep up the good work.

     

    Nate

    Feb 19, 2011

  • Sylvia Bernstein

    hey Chris...you won the photo contest!  Check out the home page...

    Feb 21, 2011

  • Sahib Punjabi

    Namaste

    May you all by safe and protected from this International disaster is my prayer to the Supreme Lord.

    God bless

    Mar 11, 2011

  • David Miner

    Hi Chris, Did you ever find the need to modify or add to the solids removal portion of your system after adding the gravel bed?

    You have a great operation.

    Thanks

    David

     

    May 18, 2011

  • Bob Segraves-Collis

    Chris, I found a post from you under a discussion regarding aquaponics business plan.  It was of specific interest to me as I am trying to start an aquaponics business in North Carolina.  Is it possible to get a copy of you latest business plan?

    Jun 13, 2011

  • Carey Ma

    Thanks for adding me as your friend. Is it ok for me to use some of your pics as a good example of small home system? I love the pics with your daughter eating that big red strawberry. Too cute.

     

    Cheers

    Aug 7, 2011

  • Carey Ma

    Hi again. Thank you so much for your cooperation. I too would like nothing more than to develop this market. 

     

    I would be glad to help in any way I can.  I'm not being negative or standoffish but my plate is a bit overflowing as is. In fact, this site has become a form of relaxation/ respite from reality. But if you have the OEM (original equipment manufacture), we might very well be able to do smaller shipments and make/save some coin on the side.

    Aug 7, 2011

  • Carey Ma

    Dude, you had to mention fishing didn't you. Oh how I envy your situation. I haven't dipped my pole in over six years... so catch one for me buddy! Grill it up and take some pics,; then at least I can dream and drool.

    Cheers

    Aug 26, 2011

  • Jed Davis

    Hi Chris, what exactly is the tower made out of. It looks like a downspout, but much larger.

    Oct 22, 2011

  • Damon Polta

    glad to see you doing so well! it's been a while since i was in your back yard, seems you've grow quite a bit! congrats on your success.

    Nov 17, 2011

  • David Schwinghamer

    What kind of fish eat algae and are good with large tilapia?

    Oct 8, 2012

  • Chris Smith

    My tilapia eat ALL algae that grows in my systems. If algae grows in the FT they eat it down to a green sheen on the surface. They will graze on it as it grows. If I am busy/lazy for a while and algae grows in the troughs then I scoop it out and put into the FT and the tilapia eat it. I have never considered introducing another species other than tilapia and koi to the system because they do all I need.

    Oct 9, 2012