Rick Stillwagon's Posts - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-29T10:50:43ZRick Stillwagonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RickStillwagonhttps://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2796910435?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1https://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profiles/blog/feed?user=119tci1u7jtr1&xn_auth=noWhat I have been doing as of late.tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-02-08:4778851:BlogPost:5463642014-02-08T17:26:11.000ZRick Stillwagonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RickStillwagon
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806450972?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806450972?profile=original" width="640"></img></a> I have been in the midst of the red tape cutting and development of a micro distillery. </p>
<p>When I started my exploration of greenhouse cultivation and aquaponics, I wanted to heat it all efficiently. The wiseway pellet stove set many other tangents un heating and energy into motion. The steam engine, hydronic heating systems, bio-mass usage, and…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806450972?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="640" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806450972?profile=original"/></a>I have been in the midst of the red tape cutting and development of a micro distillery. </p>
<p>When I started my exploration of greenhouse cultivation and aquaponics, I wanted to heat it all efficiently. The wiseway pellet stove set many other tangents un heating and energy into motion. The steam engine, hydronic heating systems, bio-mass usage, and distillation.</p>
<p>What I quickly discovered is to heat a large greenhouse to the level I wanted, in the climate I live in, is not a small investment.</p>
<p>So, I began my quest for a cost effective means of heating. I settled on bio-mass for a myriad of reasons, and also the pellet type of fuel.</p>
<p>When I discovered the Wiseway pellet stove and spoke with it's inventor Gary Wisener, I found him to be very receptive to my ideas. He allowed me to adapt and modify his stove, with their help, to accommodate my plans for heating water and the greenhouse.</p>
<p>Along the way I discovered I could create steam with the heat exchangers, and began my study of water distillation. I had a local still maker Anthony Zaca of Rainier Distillers, build me a column that would distill water with the appliance configured as I had it.</p>
<p>During our discussions, he mentioned that if I can distill water, ethanol could also be distilled as it has a lower boiling point. The stove and its column were designed to operate in a continuous fashion, which was perfect for the production of ethanol as a fuel. So I filed that away in my mind for a bit.</p>
<p>As I continued with my greenhouse development and AP experiments, I was not getting the efficiency I wanted out of my heating system. So I started looking at other potential sources of energy. The bio-digester intrigued me as it produces methane as a fuel, but it also produces fertilizer.</p>
<p>Since I was also working with a permaculturist, Jeb Thurow, I started study of this technology as well. But it needs a fairly large amount of raw material on a regular basis, and also needs to be kept warm to work efficiently.</p>
<p>So, I started linking all these things together. Greenhouses, AP, Permaculture, fermentation, distillation, bio-digestion, CO2 collection, water conservation and filtration, ethanol, steam, biomass, composting, vermiculture, (a few other things that I am sure I am forgetting) and realized that I could put them together as one system. </p>
<p>A distillery produces a great deal of water that contains minerals and beneficial organic material once processed that would be great for the soil and plants, CO2, that would be useful in enriching the atmosphere of the greenhouse, solids to feed a bio-digester, and waste heat to heat a greenhouse, fish tanks, and the bio-digester.</p>
<p>The filtration would allow me to reuse a great deal of the process water and send it back to the distillery. The solids removed would be composted. This would reduce my water usage greatly. The bio-digester and greenhouse would allow me to process all the wastes in house reducing and potentially eliminating my entire organic waste stream.</p>
<p>The distillery earns the money that would not only support the entire system, but also myself. The rest of the system manages the waste stream turning all the liabilities into assets, and producing nutritious vegetables in the process.</p>
<p>No small undertaking, but it should be a very interesting project when completed.</p>
<p>We are now finished with all our licensing and permitting. We are also producing at this time and will have our products available in the next few weeks.</p>
<p>The next task is to begin the plans for the process water treatment, bio-digester, and solids composting systems. I hope to start the greenhouse soon after that. The bio-digester will be housed in the floor of the greenhouse where all the waste heat of the distillery will be used to heat the bio-digester, fish tanks, and the greenhouse.</p>
<p>Anyone that is interested in this project and that might like to be involved in some fashion should get in contact with me. I am looking for creative individuals to partner in various aspects of the system.</p>
<p>We have been assigned a grant writer for this project by the state of Oregon in pursuit of a federal SBIR grant. The state feels that it is a worthwhile project and is assisting us in our project any way they can.</p>
<p>It is an exciting and interesting project. I look forward to sharing it with others along the way.</p>Nutrient Cycletag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-05-27:4778851:BlogPost:4802022013-05-27T23:49:28.000ZRick Stillwagonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RickStillwagon
<p align="center">Nutrient Cycle The BIG Picture</p>
<p align="center"> </p>
<p>At some point, and sooner than later, we will have to face the fact that we are the biggest producers of nutrient dense waste. We desire to eat nutritious food, often eating it to excess. Our bodies only use what it can in that moment and the rest passes through. So, with our rich diets comes an abundance of nutrient rich waste.</p>
<p>For centuries, and even today, human waste is used for agriculture. You may…</p>
<p align="center">Nutrient Cycle The BIG Picture</p>
<p align="center"> </p>
<p>At some point, and sooner than later, we will have to face the fact that we are the biggest producers of nutrient dense waste. We desire to eat nutritious food, often eating it to excess. Our bodies only use what it can in that moment and the rest passes through. So, with our rich diets comes an abundance of nutrient rich waste.</p>
<p>For centuries, and even today, human waste is used for agriculture. You may have even purchased some of it without realizing it. Many retail "garden center" outlets sell processed human waste for use on lawns and flower gardens. It is usually discouraged for use on food crops.</p>
<p>In our ever increasing pursuit for sanitary and sterile living environments we have sought out ways to separate ourselves from our waste. Our success in doing so has reduced diseases connected with unsanitary environments dramatically. In fact, we have created such sterile environments that we now face increased sensitivity and allergies to everyday natural substances.</p>
<p>At the same time we are finding our farmland soils are becoming so depleted that the produce we seek is less nutritious than that what was grown decades ago on the same ground. The connection is obvious. We bury our waste in septic fields far from our croplands, and our dead go in hermetically sealed boxes in beautiful cemeteries.</p>
<p>Thousands of years from now our descendants will find these incredibly nutrient dense pockets of ground that they will be able to grow fantastic produce. Provided we haven't destroyed everything before they get a shot at it.</p>
<p>So, those minerals and nutrients are still out there, we just don't want to use them. Unless we start looking at our antiquated practices and making changes that we are technologically capable of. We are terribly afraid of nasty pathogens that cause very uncomfortable and debilitating illnesses. But these can easily be dealt with as it is already being done in our sewage treatment plants. </p>
<p>"The Living Machine" is another excellent example of water and human waste that is first used to grow vegetation in an effort to separate the nutrients from the water to reclaim that water. But they are currently not allowed to grow food crops of any sort, that is, here in the US.</p>
<p>Many other countries have found creative solutions to reclaim those nutrients that we do not use and get them back into the food chain. Where we, for a large part, sequester them in the ground for future generations to discover, I guess.</p>
<p>Food for thought. We are concerned with "nutrient dense" food. We eat that nutrient dense food. We deposit our waste where it is largely inaccessible. Then we want more of that food. But we are not completing the cycle. It has been a linear system for too long. It needs to become a circular system again if we want to truly change things.</p>
<p>I have made several points here that I hope will stimulate a discussion. Please respond with your thoughts and opinions. I believe to begin change we have to start with a change in popular opinion. "<a href="http://thinkexist.com/quotation/every_truth_passes_through_three_stages_before_it/159319.html">Every <b>truth</b> passes through three stages before it is recognized In the <b>first</b> it is <b>ridiculed</b>, in the second it is opposed, in the third it is regarded as self-evident</a>”</p>Aquaponics & Economicstag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-05-20:4778851:BlogPost:4775452013-05-20T21:59:10.000ZRick Stillwagonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RickStillwagon
<p>Aquaponics is a fascinating method of growing. Creating a micro-eco-system (can you double hyphenate?) is a challenging, interesting, and often expensive endeavor. I enjoyed the research and the fruits of that labor. But, in the Northwest, I found it to be a greater challenge to make it economically practical on a small scale. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Perhaps if I were to use native species of fish and allowed the system to go dormant during the cold and dark season, it may have been more…</p>
<p>Aquaponics is a fascinating method of growing. Creating a micro-eco-system (can you double hyphenate?) is a challenging, interesting, and often expensive endeavor. I enjoyed the research and the fruits of that labor. But, in the Northwest, I found it to be a greater challenge to make it economically practical on a small scale. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Perhaps if I were to use native species of fish and allowed the system to go dormant during the cold and dark season, it may have been more practical. But I wanted to grow year-round and grow whatever I wanted. This turned out to not be financially practical. Heating and lighting were expensive no matter the method.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>My original goal was to build a system at a cost, size, productivity, simple to run, and level of labor consumption that was practical for the average household. I was relatively successful other than cost and productivity.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>In the Northwest, we receive the lowest amount of BTUs of sunlight in the continental US. So in a greenhouse, supplemental lighting and heat were essential. Bio-mass or wood/pellets is pretty much the least expensive fuel. But electricity is still necessary to move the water and operate the lights. So operating costs for our 12 x 15 greenhouse and 1000 gallons of water was about $200 - $250 a month for October through March/April.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Therefore for seven months or so out of the year there were significant costs to operate and little return. Some of that is due to experimenting, and choices of produce. But most of the deficiency was due to inadequate light. To increase the light to the levels recommended for optimal plant growth would have doubled our operating costs, not to mention equipment costs.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I think some of that could have been remedied by plant selection again, but I wanted to grow what I like to eat. The reality is that to have changed the plants to that which would have grown would mean growing a low dollar crop in a high dollar environment. So it still wouldn't have made economical sense.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>From the perspective of nutritional value reaped, it would make more sense for me to support a commercial greenhouse farmer and get the produce I wanted for less cost than what I was producing. This is based on fresh produce grown out of season in a high dollar environment.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If I were to dedicate enough time and space, I could grow all I would need in a soil garden in a seasons time. Provided I was willing to can, freeze, and dry that food that would spoil before used. This could all be done at a fraction of the cost of that produce grown aquaponically. BECAUSE I have an abundant amount of fresh water, good soil, a mild climate, and the space to do it in. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>For those without access to produce at a reasonable cost, or those that have a poor, scarce, or an expensive water supply, surrounded by depleted and/or toxic soil, lack access to soil, and have a warm climate aquaponics may be a part of the solution. I also think that aquaponics is viable on a very large scale. Hydroponics has already proven itself profitable, aquaponics is not that much of a leap.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Environments where space or resources are shared may be another solution. Adding a solarium to the home where heat is shared, industrial waste heat, access to geo-thermal, etc. may also remedy some of which made it difficult.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I will be producing a considerable amount of waste heat and organic nutrients with my new business. I will take advantage of that with my new greenhouse.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I write this for the new aquaponic enthusiast so they look at all the costs and evaluate them critically before starting. I write this for the experienced practioners so they may evaluate what they are doing, and if they have found solutions to some of these issues to share them.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I am still enthusiastic about aquaponics. But I believe there are a number of issues to be addressed before it will replace conventional methods. Also year-round production on a small scale needs to be evaluated to make sure you are getting better nutritional value for your dollars spent. Those of you that enjoy what you are doing and care less of the cost should ignore all that I have said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>This is only my opinion and my experiences in my region, with my limited resources. I realize other regions, financial depth, experience, expertise, and perspective will greatly affect what can be done. I welcome your thoughts and comments. I hope this will develop a positive and engaging dialogue. I do not want to offend anyone or dampen their enthusiasm.</p>The Journey Continuestag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-05-06:4778851:BlogPost:4724002013-05-06T20:46:48.000ZRick Stillwagonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RickStillwagon
<p>Greetings again Aquapons! I have been on an interesting journey the past couple of years. It all started with a better filter for my koi. Researching bog filters inspired the notion of growing edible plants in the bog, which through my research I stumbled upon aquaponics.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Through my research and desire to find an economical means of heating my system, I stumbled upon the Wiseway pellet stove, which I became a statewide distributor for their company and recently sold that…</p>
<p>Greetings again Aquapons! I have been on an interesting journey the past couple of years. It all started with a better filter for my koi. Researching bog filters inspired the notion of growing edible plants in the bog, which through my research I stumbled upon aquaponics.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Through my research and desire to find an economical means of heating my system, I stumbled upon the Wiseway pellet stove, which I became a statewide distributor for their company and recently sold that distributorship in pursuit of another off shoot. While working on the heating system with the pellet stove I discovered a way to distill with the stove. Water purification was my initial goal, then through my research in distillation, found that I could also produce ethanol with the same equipment. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Ethanol can be produced from many material sources and ultimately, I concluded ethanol as a beverage is far more valuable than as a fuel. Thus, my current endeavor into the micro-distillery industry.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Distilleries create hazardous waste products. Although it is only hazardous because it hasn't been processed. It is all organic material going in but due to the process, the waste requires biological processing and dilution before it can go back into the environment in a useful manner. Bio-digesters render the effluent of the distilling process into an organic fertilizer that when diluted, is beneficial to the plants, soil, and microbes. I believe a nearly zero unused waste output should be attainable.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>A by-product of the bio-digester is methane. Methane is a relatively clean burning gas, and can be used to heat the greenhouse, the distillery, and home.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>So now my goal is to create a system that uses the waste heat of the distillery to enhance the greenhouse environment, use the waste effluent to create a fuel for heating, fertilizer for my outdoor crops, provide a resource for the local farmers excess fruits, provide them with an organic fertilizer, and hopefully create a few jobs for local people in my area.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I was a bit ambivalous on making spirits for consumption. But I will be providing a high quality product and at a higher end of the spectrum in pricing, making it out of the high quantity drinkers price range. I do not want to contribute to the demise of those with addictive natures. But for those that drink in moderation, I can provide them with a quality spirit and a competitive price.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Hopefully, with this new venture, my original goals in aquaculture, greenhouse gardening, alternative energy, and aquaponics will become affordable for me to continue my exploration. Amazing when I look back how one thing lead to the next. Also amazing is how they will all ultimately tie together.</p>Fall & Winter Projectstag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-10-26:4778851:BlogPost:4114632012-10-26T21:45:16.000ZRick Stillwagonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RickStillwagon
<p>We have recently finished moving things around in the greenhouse. Jeb a friend and cohort in research in PNW gardening, is working on his degree in permaculture and horticulture with a focus on our climate and region. He will be conducting several studies using my greenhouse and the one we completed for him this Summer. Those studies will be in passive and low energy input (his greenhouse) and a heated greenhouse using supplemental lighting (my greenhouse.) These studies will include…</p>
<p>We have recently finished moving things around in the greenhouse. Jeb a friend and cohort in research in PNW gardening, is working on his degree in permaculture and horticulture with a focus on our climate and region. He will be conducting several studies using my greenhouse and the one we completed for him this Summer. Those studies will be in passive and low energy input (his greenhouse) and a heated greenhouse using supplemental lighting (my greenhouse.) These studies will include variety trials to determine those best suited for our climate in both systems. Also results of different methods of growing: media bed, wicking bed, and soil beds. This will give us a spectrum of plants and growing methods suited to the plant and the environment.</p>
<p>Jeb's greenhouse is the white one in my photos. His will be only passively heated by the sun, heating the deep soil beds as a thermal mass. My greenhouse as many of you have seen, is heated with a pellet stove. Water temps stay about 70 and air temps vary. He will use no supplemental lighting, I will have lighting for those plants that need the day length to flower and fruit. Our goal is to provide a spectrum of varieties, growing conditions, and growing methods that would suit any gardener in the PNW that wants to grow something year round.</p>
<p>The media beds are 12" deep overall. They have a 4" lava rock base and about 8" of pea gravel for the primary media. This is to give a good place for the bacteria to colonize, we will get a small amount of trace minerals from the lava rock, the pea gravel is a cost effective, affordable, and readily available in abundance in our area. The media beds are a flood and drain using bell siphons.</p>
<p>The wicking application is using the media beds, but adding a nutrient rich compost based soil in pots that the plants reside. The beds are only flooded to the point the pots receive the nutrient rich water. We did this last Spring and this Summer with terrific results, but no comparison with a soil only and media only control group. The plants rooted through the pots into the media beds. There were tomatoes, peppers, a potatoe, and several other varieties that did superbly.</p>
<p>One of the major issues for our region is the fact that we get the least BTUs of sunlight in the entire continental US other than possibly Alaska. So varieties that have adapted to this condition and those that are suited will be determined and tested in both systems to see how they produce. Supplemental lighting will be kept to a minimum just to extend the hours of daylight to set fruit on those varieties that need it. For those that want to keep energy costs down, always have the option of seasonal planting.</p>
<p>We will have other examples of Northwest systems we have built running in the next few weeks. Two of which are in Portland, photos of their greenhouses are posted in my pictures as well. They are members here and I am sure will be reporting in their results as time goes on. Both are media based systems, although they will be experimenting with some vertical growing, rafts, and other variants.</p>
<p>We are working on a system that will be a series of insulated coldframes and a heated space for the fish tanks. The goal here is to reduce the footprint and the necessity for permitting a greenhouse. It should also be more economical to build and heat than a greenhouse. I will update as we go.</p>High School Systemtag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-10-15:4778851:BlogPost:4012302012-10-15T01:04:18.000ZRick Stillwagonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RickStillwagon
<p>We had a great morning visiting with the science teacher of Spanaway Lake High School. The have recently acquired an aquaponics system and have asked us to help set it up. We visited their spacious 30'x60' greenhouse. Lots of room and amenities to allow for a great set up that will be productive and educational.</p>
<p>We initially concluded their out of the box system was going to be inadequate. They do have a nice 500 gallon tank, and a marginally sufficient bio-filter. The small raft…</p>
<p>We had a great morning visiting with the science teacher of Spanaway Lake High School. The have recently acquired an aquaponics system and have asked us to help set it up. We visited their spacious 30'x60' greenhouse. Lots of room and amenities to allow for a great set up that will be productive and educational.</p>
<p>We initially concluded their out of the box system was going to be inadequate. They do have a nice 500 gallon tank, and a marginally sufficient bio-filter. The small raft that came with the system was woefully under-sized.</p>
<p>So, we are going to set them up with a couple of sumps, several large media beds, possibly some towers, as well as probably a heating system for the water.</p>
<p>We will also hopefully get them set up with a good composting and vermiculture program. We will also try to incorporate some of Jeb's deep soil raised beds.</p>
<p>It is an awesome potential for a really great system for the kids and the community to learn about how to grow year-round with an integrated AP / Permaculture system.</p>Aquaponics Conferencetag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-09-29:4778851:BlogPost:3969502012-09-29T15:04:37.000ZRick Stillwagonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RickStillwagon
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_50670ca1b85bd4421219876"><span class="font-size-4">While in Denver for the Aquaponics conference, two of the great opportunities I had were meeting Dr. James Rakowcy and Murray Hallam. The "Father" of aquaponics shared his 30 year experience developing the UVI system. I felt very akin to him as he described his trials and tribulations in developing his system. Blunders and intervention by Mother Nature making it a challenging…</span></div>
<div id="id_50670ca1b85bd4421219876" class="text_exposed_root text_exposed"><span class="font-size-4">While in Denver for the Aquaponics conference, two of the great opportunities I had were meeting Dr. James Rakowcy and Murray Hallam. The "Father" of aquaponics shared his 30 year experience developing the UVI system. I felt very akin to him as he described his trials and tribulations in developing his system. Blunders and intervention by Mother Nature making it a challenging experience. </span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed"> </div>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed"><span class="font-size-4">Murray Hallam, in my opinion, took aquaponics in a direction more in concert with my efforts. The individual growing food for his or her own family. He continues to innovate and is also a pleasant and inspiring man to meet and learn from.</span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed"> </div>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed"><span class="font-size-4">The whole conference was a reminder that it is in many ways a fledgling concept, but many individuals have developed proven methods. It is well worth the time to do your research into what the pioneers of aquaponics have established. You will save a great deal of time and money.</span></div>Summer is Endingtag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-08-31:4778851:BlogPost:3884312012-08-31T14:59:10.000ZRick Stillwagonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RickStillwagon
<p>We had a very busy Summer. We built several greenhouses, a couple of aquaponic systems, and much more. We have had a few of our Greenhouse and Aquaponic Gardener meetings and I learned that more information is still needed. We experimented extensively, and have developed a couple of new applications for the Wiseway stove. I have been working on some new greenhouse designs and we shall also be renovating our R&D greenhouse to reflect some of the new ideas.</p>
<p>Our solar efficient…</p>
<p>We had a very busy Summer. We built several greenhouses, a couple of aquaponic systems, and much more. We have had a few of our Greenhouse and Aquaponic Gardener meetings and I learned that more information is still needed. We experimented extensively, and have developed a couple of new applications for the Wiseway stove. I have been working on some new greenhouse designs and we shall also be renovating our R&D greenhouse to reflect some of the new ideas.</p>
<p>Our solar efficient greenhouse has been a popular model. We are completing the third of its design this week. Photos of this are on our website at zephyrgreenhousesystems.com and on Facebook. Either in recycled glass or polycarbonate it should prove to be a well received and enduring design.</p>
<p>Water heating has been a focus of mine, as it is necessary in our climate for an aquaponics system to work well. We have been working with several systems that include the use of the Wiseway pellet stove, natural gas appliances, and electric appliances. Unfortunately, all still require electricity to move the water through the system, leaving us with this conundrum of what to do when power is lost. We are working on a backup power system, hopefully one that will be relatively economical to provide to our customers as well as to run. Other than these issues, our AP systems are working well.</p>
<p>Our meetings with gardening enthusiasts and those that wish to get started have been well received. Our contact base is growing and we are gaining insight to what people want and will begin addressing it in our new products and education program. Simple to use, systems and economy seem to be of importance, as well as increased nutritional value and versatility. Variety in cost options will be a focus on our greenhouses. We will be adding a sturdy hoop house as a lower cost option as well as a good choice for larger operations. Although, our focus will always be on helping the individual and small groups to become more independent in growing their own food.</p>
<p>Education will always be a big part of what we do. Without educating our customers and those that are interested in what we offer, there will always be a steep learning curve for the beginner. This is unnecessary and expensive. It is also good business sense for us as the advantage of quality and well designed products will save them time and money over making costly mistakes in trying to imitate a system with little experience and equipment.</p>
<p>The Wiseway pellet stove is becoming more versatile all the time. Heat is its primary function and it does this in a class all its own. Without the requirement of electricity it will heat a large space, be it a home, shop, greenhouse, tent, etc. effectively and economically. In addition to this, we have refined its use as a water heater for use in our greenhouses, and also for use in conjunction with other systems of hydronic heating in a home or anywhere else. Recently we have added a distillation unit as one of the Wiseway stoves components. Water distillation, essential oils, and ethanol can be accomplished and produced with this stove WHILE heating your home or greenhouse. The Wiseway stove is also EPA approved and UL listed for use in your home or anywhere else it is needed. This has been a major thrust this Summer and now our goal is to make it available to everyone.</p>
<p>We will be introducing new products soon as well as showing those interested, our advancements and newly acquired knowledge. If you can come to our meetings they are very informative and completely free. If you have any issues, questions, thoughts, or ideas that you may wish some help with, please feel free to contact me. I will do my best to be of service.</p>Raising Tilapia Frytag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-06-16:4778851:BlogPost:3509372012-06-16T05:41:30.000ZRick Stillwagonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RickStillwagon
<p>A friend recently gave me about 30 Tilapia fry. It has been an interesting experience raising them from about 1/8" - 1/4" fry to seeing them double in size in the last week or so. He also gave me a formula to feed them with: egg yolk, yeast, tropical fish food, and a little water. Seems to be working so far!</p>
<p>A friend recently gave me about 30 Tilapia fry. It has been an interesting experience raising them from about 1/8" - 1/4" fry to seeing them double in size in the last week or so. He also gave me a formula to feed them with: egg yolk, yeast, tropical fish food, and a little water. Seems to be working so far!</p>Finally back to my greenhouse.tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-01-31:4778851:BlogPost:2859762012-01-31T23:44:08.000ZRick Stillwagonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RickStillwagon
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2730307437?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2730307437?profile=original" width="512"></img></a></p>
<p>We are finally getting back to my greenhouse. We are putting the heating system in. This is the modified pellet stove/water heater. We are working on a design to manufacture our own, but this was a great deal faster to test the idea. The pellet stove will heat the air and through a hydronic raidiant heating system will heat the fish tanks as well. No water that…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2730307437?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2730307437?profile=original" width="512"/></a></p>
<p>We are finally getting back to my greenhouse. We are putting the heating system in. This is the modified pellet stove/water heater. We are working on a design to manufacture our own, but this was a great deal faster to test the idea. The pellet stove will heat the air and through a hydronic raidiant heating system will heat the fish tanks as well. No water that is in the heating system comes in contact with the AP water. The heat simply radiates from the poly coil that will be in the tanks.</p>
<p>We almost have all the components for the back up power as well. We still have to acquire the battery bank and inverter and then we will be ready to install that as well. With the storm we had last week, we would have had a system crash. We were without power for 4 days and below freezing every night. This is normal for our area every year.</p>
<p>We should have it up and ready to teat the heating system and start cycling water through the system in a couple of weeks!</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2730309562?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2730309562?profile=original" width="720"/></a></p>Micro-Aquaponics unittag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-10-25:4778851:BlogPost:2373562011-10-25T02:12:10.000ZRick Stillwagonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RickStillwagon
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2730272521?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2730272521?profile=original" width="512"></img></a> I just about have the micro-unit complete. It still needs to be tested, add the light support and light, pumps etc. I have already found several things to change aesthitically and functionally. There will be half-panels on the sides and an opaque or textured glass divider to hide the sump. Fish tank will be removable unit. I will add a base molding to widen the appearance of…</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2730272521?profile=original"><img width="512" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2730272521?profile=original" class="align-left"/></a>I just about have the micro-unit complete. It still needs to be tested, add the light support and light, pumps etc. I have already found several things to change aesthitically and functionally. There will be half-panels on the sides and an opaque or textured glass divider to hide the sump. Fish tank will be removable unit. I will add a base molding to widen the appearance of the base so it will look balanced proportionally. The fish tank will have a lid and light. Possible addition of small apron or flip up tray to sides. Some units will have raised panels, might also do a version with wrought iron legs and base. This is sort of a "Mission" or "Craftsman" style. I will do some designs in a tradtional, modern, old world, etc. I am looking for your input and thoughts as well.</p>
<p>Specs: Cherry hardwood and veneers, Oil stain and polyurethane finish, 27"wide x 26" deep, 39" high. 38 gallons in the tank, 25 gallons in the bed. bell siphon, flood and drain, continuous running pump, aeration is aquarium pump in FT. Hydroton in bed and FT for appearance. Not sure what overall weight will be. Let me know what you think! Thanks</p>Stimulating interest and awarenesstag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-10-21:4778851:BlogPost:2354192011-10-21T14:34:29.000ZRick Stillwagonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RickStillwagon
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<p>I am not surprised at how many people have never heard about "Aquaponics." Up until about a year ago, I was running on a nearly parallel path until I decided to look online and see if anyone else was doing something like this. As I mentioned before, many of you have done much of the leg work and I am now catching up to speed. But I am surprised at the wariness and stigma that many have of hydroponics, therefore, aquaponics by association. So I am doing a little project to see if I…</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I am not surprised at how many people have never heard about "Aquaponics." Up until about a year ago, I was running on a nearly parallel path until I decided to look online and see if anyone else was doing something like this. As I mentioned before, many of you have done much of the leg work and I am now catching up to speed. But I am surprised at the wariness and stigma that many have of hydroponics, therefore, aquaponics by association. So I am doing a little project to see if I can win over some people in a cross section demographic experiment.</p>
<p>I am building several mini-aquaponics units, about 2'x2'x3'high. I will be building them to a furniture grade aesthetic standard (here is where I get to put that 25 years of cabinet making to use), using a custom made glass tank, some in oak, and some in a cherry wood, that would blend attractively into any home. Then I am going to place these in several middle and upper class households, (I have several volunteers) to see the response and results given by various shades of green thumbs.</p>
<p>I have access to hoards of free glass, so the tanks are free, and I have years of scrap wood accumulated from my days as a commercial and residential cabinet maker to clear out of the shop. So the cost is basically that of the liner in the media bed, a little plumbing, pump, and aerator. I want to see what their overall impression is and of course see if it leads to a greater interest, or remains at the novelty level.</p>
<p>Someone questioned, "Do aquaponics systems have to be ugly?," so I think because of the stage of the industry, and the little importance that aesthetics play to some people, and because "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" giving AP a makeover that would blend into any living room or kitchen might change the attitudes of some individuals.</p>
<p>I will post pics of the units that I will be producing, looking for your critique. I want your aesthetic and mechanical opinions so I can refine the ones that will go out to "the public." I have aleady started cutting out the glass for the tanks, and will be machining the cabinetry this morning, so I should have some production pics in the next day or so. The units will be a flood and drain system, fish tank for viewing in the front, and a sump tank to the rear that is relatively obscured from view. The whole unit is on wheels, and will disassemble in seconds for accessibility to all components and ease of cleaning and maintenance.</p>
<p>I appreciate your assistance, with this little project, and hope, with your assistance, to bring some awareness to our passion.</p>The project continues....tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-10-17:4778851:BlogPost:2329132011-10-17T01:19:07.000ZRick Stillwagonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RickStillwagon
<p>It has been a very interesting week. Meeting people, sharing ideas, and finding the scope of a successful business model. Meeting and talking with Carey Ma generated many ideas in developing marketable products for this economy. Talking with a potential client has developed new ideas for marketing and visibility that I hadn't explored. Showing an engineer friend my steam engine has invigorated my plans for reproduction and acquired his professional help. Not a great deal of progress on…</p>
<p>It has been a very interesting week. Meeting people, sharing ideas, and finding the scope of a successful business model. Meeting and talking with Carey Ma generated many ideas in developing marketable products for this economy. Talking with a potential client has developed new ideas for marketing and visibility that I hadn't explored. Showing an engineer friend my steam engine has invigorated my plans for reproduction and acquired his professional help. Not a great deal of progress on my system this week, but forward momentum in general for business is definitely improving.</p>
<p>I hope to network with others in our area as well as try to inspire others into exploring aquaponics and other hybrid methods of growing that increase yield, produce year round, promote water conservation, and provide healthier more nutritious food. I think the CSA and farmers markets are key to getting this system and its produce out to the local populace as well as making it possible for the growers to make a living.</p>
<p>To make this economically feasible, creative solutions to heating that are practical to implement have to be explored and made available to the grower. Seed varieties specific to our climate need to be identified and made available. Cost effective and quality structures need to be available and affordable to the grower. This is where the network of people growing and learning, need to get together to share these ideas and prevent wasted time by making their discoveries and failures available to the group. By doing so an industry will evolve that is viable and will be supported, by the public and industry, making it less expensive to pursue and more profitable.</p>
<p>Next week I should have my greenhouse structure complete. The heating system will be the next project. We have to redesign the pellet stove for water heating and plumb it into the greenhouse. We will also increase the hopper capacity to hold at least 48 hours of fuel. Then the beds and variety of growing methods will be begun to be built. I think a combination of media beds, towers, and other nutrient flow systems will be incorporated. From what I see, read, and hear a variety methods will give me the best versatility in plant variety and system function. And it will make for a fun and interesting environment in the greenhouse. I think there will also be room in the "basement" for growing mushrooms too.</p>
<p>I hope to here from more of you in my area and would love to get together and see what you are doing. I also, of course, enjoy talking and sharing with all of you from around the country and the world and sharing thoughts and ideas as well.</p>My project part 2tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-10-03:4778851:BlogPost:2267642011-10-03T16:21:38.000ZRick Stillwagonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RickStillwagon
<p>The previous post explains in overview what I have been trying to accomplish. I want an economical, sustainable, and self-contained system. Not only food production but heating and powering my home and business as well.</p>
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<p>The greenhouse/aquaponics unit is my experiment and will eventually tie into everything on my property. The biomass boiler will provide steam that will be plumbed to all buildings (just like they did in the old days) for heat, and will be intermittantly…</p>
<p>The previous post explains in overview what I have been trying to accomplish. I want an economical, sustainable, and self-contained system. Not only food production but heating and powering my home and business as well.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The greenhouse/aquaponics unit is my experiment and will eventually tie into everything on my property. The biomass boiler will provide steam that will be plumbed to all buildings (just like they did in the old days) for heat, and will be intermittantly used at high pressure to generate electricity to charge batteries and operate the machinery that makes the fuel for the boiler (hammermill and pelletmill.) I want to be, and show others we can be, more self-sufficient.</p>
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<p>My business model is to be able to, by example, show and teach others how to be independant. By producing what we consume we will have a neutral impact on society economically, and a positive impact socially. But it wont work to tell people this. They have to see it and "discover" it for themselves. Guilting others into change isnt working. There has to be a fiscal, or physical benefit. Saving money on their food and energy bills will motivate a freat amount of people, if it isnt to laborious.</p>
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<p>Recently, in Tacoma WA, a group was given a grant of $300,000.00 from one of the founders of Microsft to grow food for the food banks in the empty city lots. Tacoma then matched the grant with another for $100,000.00 and a renewable grant for $80,000.00 to hire a manager to oversee the project. This is a great deal of money for a very seasonal project. I think it would have been much better spent on a project such as an aquaponic installation that would provide food on a year round basis rather than for a couple of months.</p>
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<p>Until there is an example of a local installation in the Northwest, or a similar climate that is economically viable, it will be difficult to promote the idea for such project grants. Through the efforts here in this community I hope to be able to learn and share a method of self-reliance and food production that will help to alleviate some of the economic conditions we experience in our area as well as anywhere else it may help.</p>My Project.tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-10-03:4778851:BlogPost:2268732011-10-03T14:46:24.000ZRick Stillwagonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RickStillwagon
<p>I tried to write this out once but it sounded a little preachy so I removed it. So, here it is again....</p>
<p> </p>
<p>My project started originally with aquaculture about 6 or 7 years ago. I wanted to be able to raise my own fish in a pond that I have on my property. I was having trouble with filtration. I visited a facility called the "Living Machine," (I posted a diagram a few weeks ago.) Anyway, I dug another pond that I was going to put a greenhouse over and try using the water to…</p>
<p>I tried to write this out once but it sounded a little preachy so I removed it. So, here it is again....</p>
<p> </p>
<p>My project started originally with aquaculture about 6 or 7 years ago. I wanted to be able to raise my own fish in a pond that I have on my property. I was having trouble with filtration. I visited a facility called the "Living Machine," (I posted a diagram a few weeks ago.) Anyway, I dug another pond that I was going to put a greenhouse over and try using the water to grow plants in and filter the water for the fish... Then I thought, "I bet others have been tring to do this...." So I looked up a variety of searches on the internet and lo and behold, "Aquaponics" popped up. I was imediately excited, and realized I was on the right track but going about it the wrong way.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Economics was my biggest stumbling block. How was I going to afford this? Heating a huge mud pond was going to cost a fortune. (20,000 gallons) Then, we also have an expensive and unreliable power source. So, I though why cant I generate my own electricity? I studied a bit about solar, and discovered our area is not very productive with cloud cover most of the year. Then I thought about steam. Steam heats, is under pressure so it can move things, and can be produced with inexpensive fuel. The cheapest sort of fuel here is wood pellets. Then I began to wonder is it possible to produce my own fuel. Then I discovered there are manufacturers of biomass pellet mills. Wood pellets burn cleaner but require the harvesting of forests. I found out the difference between all biomass pellets and wood pellets is that you will use about 20% more and have to clean the ash bin a little more often. I can live with that.</p>
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<p>Unfortunately here in the US we are way behind Europe and Asia in the use of biomass. There are about two companies currently in the US that manufacture boilers that burn biomass and over a hundred I have found so far in Europe and Asia. Also the cost of foreign equipment is one third or less of the US equivalent. We are talking over $100,000.00 here and $30,000.00 or less in the rest of the world. These are commercial units. I was a little disheartened. But then I thought, "this isnt rocket science," steam has been around for about 400 years in practical use, about 1000 years as a novelty.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>So, I began my quest into building my own boiler. This is where I discovered how difficult it was going to be to get a practical, workhorse, steam engine. I found several companies that build very attractive boiler/engine combos in the old timey sense, but not very practical from a 24/7 perspective. Commercially, they manufacture very efficient automated boilers and turbines that produce megawatts. But nothing on a micro-scale. So, I decided to expand my search. I found a company in India that makes micro-power plants. But his boilers are wood and coal burning and would be very difficult to import due to EPA standards. But his engines were no problem because their exhaust is steam...hot water.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I bought his engine. That is the one you see in my pictures. The boiler I have settled on having to build, and have put that end of the project on the back burner. I bought the pellet stove you have seen in the pictures I have posted and will retro that to heat water for now. I have a generator, a few solar panels, and will purchase some batteries and an inverter for my backup system. So I have gone back to the greenhouse design and construction.</p>