Frank De Block-Burij (hygicell)
72, Male
Drongen+De Pinte
Belgium
Profile Information:
- How did you find us?
- aquaponics group
- Are you an aquaponic gardener already?
- yes
- If so, what type of system? (pick all that apply)
- 7 x 24 m greenhouse, alas neglected
- How old is your system?
- 1 - 2 yrs
- What type of fish do you grow with? (select all that apply)
- Other
- How big is your fish tank?
- 4 x 1000 l + 1 x 300 l
- Please tell us something else about yourself.
- After four years of study (nickname hygicell) and a small experiment I have made up a business plan, found a bank to finance me, designed a greenhouse that I wanted to build in De Pinte, where our family owned a farm with, adjacent to it, a 7 ha lake on which waterski was performed.
Beatiful surroundings, and excellent location for a commercial setup.
Family problems (inheritance fight lasted 7 years) forced me to erect it, smaller, in Drongen instead.
See pictures on my website http://www.aquaponics.eu
Last year I finally bought the farm and wanted to immediately start a new project.
Then started an unexpected fight with the municipalities: in their deployment plan stood that they wanted to prohibit waterski (my basis income), wanted me to tear down the clubhouse, and planned to ban greenhouses.
With all the money invested in the farm I had to concentrate fully on trying to avoid this disaster. I had to neglect the first greenhouse.
I studied for days, weeks, months all the fine print and the laws, drew up argumentations , contacted high schools, universities, sports federations, politicians, experts, lawyers... , I had to completely rethink and redesign my greenhouse to make it acceptable.
I seeked support everywhere I could and found it . I gathered over 160 protests.
I lost some battles, but continued fighting and won the final war.
Februari 1st the township publicised new texts, that allow continuation of waterski, the clubhouse can stay where it is, and the greenhouse ban is lifted.
But now I'm left without money. It will take me months again to get a building permit, chances are that I will lose this season too.
But I will not give up.
The forced rethinking of my greenhouse and the experience with the first one has allowed me to reach a better design: it will be as good as passive.
I will post the drawings.
Harold Sukhbir
Hi Frank,
i was wondering if you'd like to join the discussion here http://aquaponicscommunity.com/group/feeding/forum/topics/self-sust...
I saw your website and know you have a valuable knowledge base which can benefit us all
Jul 30, 2011
Ellen Roelofs
Jul 31, 2011
the mad german
Thanks for the compliment Frank.
and the tip on the root chimney.
I built the system to show friends and people into square foot gardening to show that you don't need a lot of space to build or maintain a selfcontained system or an AP system.
Where I live there really hasn't been much attention paid to or given to AP. Millions of acres of flat tillable farmland with so much more potential it truly does make 1 sad.
Well that and I got tired of pulling weeds for hours on end in my regular garden, I won't spray because I believe we have enough pesticides and herbicides in our foods and bodies.
Plus I wanted this thing to be able to be moved anywhere and power free. Its not what I had in mind, but appeases me enough before starting my next one which I believe will incorporate a pond.
Your greenhouse photos....now thats what I'm talking about! Ive always wanted to build my own selfsufficient, selfcontained greenhouse for cold weather climate for year round production.
Aug 12, 2011