Gary Lanning's Friends

Gary Lanning's Groups

If you found us through a referral or a newsletter, which was it?: aquaponics@townsqr.com

If so, what type of system? (pick all that apply): I am a high school biology teacher who has been playing with aquaponics on a small scale for a number of years. Mostly just guppies and foliage plants. Two years ago I got serious about converting an unused 10'X12' room into an aquaponics room for my Advanced Biology class. This is now the source of yearlong research projects for each student. We have a systme consisting of a 4'x8'X3' wooden tank with a rubber liner. We keep between 50-100 bluegills in here. Water is pumped from here into a 250 gallon poly tank overhead and gravity flows back down over a small waterfall for aeration and over net bags filled with plastic shotgun wads that serves as media for bacteria. Some of the water gravity flows into 48 linear feet of plastic eaves trouph filled with gravel. This supplies more media for bacteria as well as a place for plants to root. Finally, some of the water gravity flows to 3 4foot x4foot plastic trays filled with hydroton. This water is controlled by valves and a timer to flood and drain 4 times daily. We raise primarily heirloom tomatos but also some basil and have tryed a few other things.

Please tell us something else about yourself.: The exciting news for me is that the school board likes what they see and want to allow for expansion. They have promised me a greenhouse in 2012 and want me to design it. This is my one big chance so I don't want to blow it. I want the greenhouse to be specifically designed with aquaponics in mind. If anyone can help out please let me know.

At 7:20am on October 7, 2011, Two Jay said…: Gary, My uncle is a Ag teacher, here in Cedar Springs, he has had aquaponics, hydroponics etc. systems setup in his class room for many years. If he would accept, do you want to speak with him? He may have some insight or ideas to aid in your project.

TwoJay

At 11:30pm on August 8, 2011, Carey Ma said…: Hi Gary, I'd love to hear more. Please feel free to e-mail me (send message button under my pic) or direct at: pepsi1628@yahoo.com

At 11:42pm on August 6, 2011, Carey Ma said…: Hi Gary,

I was wondering if you have any class plans and or curriculum for your classes you are able to share. I am starting a "Farm School" and public education forum but have little time to finish before September and desperately need help.

Thanks in advance for your time and consideration.

At 4:10pm on May 29, 2011, Ellen Roelofs said…: Are your pods going to be closed systems? It's an aquaponics lab! Very cool. What time of day is good for a visit?

At 5:01pm on September 23, 2010, Sylvia Bernstein said…: Hi Gary,

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!

A great place to start is to read the How to Use This Site link on the upper right corner, “Start Here” section of the Main page.

Thanks again for joining us, and I look forward to getting to know you. I'd love to help with your exciting greenhouse project too...we should talk.

Sylvia