When I first set this unit up, it comprised bites and pieces from a first trial unit that worked very well, but had to be moved.  It covered a larger area than what I had space for at home, thus the initial birth of my “cube quest”.  The system had a 1000 litre IBC and four gravel media beds in the new configuration.  The one media bed got used for all kinds of things – a DWC bed, a guppy fry tank and then back to raft before it got turned into the sand bed.  The other three have always been…

Part 1: Understanding what I am trying to achieve.

In a number of blogs and posts on the mixed design forum I have often made statements regarding why I am pursuing a mixed system as my choice for a compact home unit.  In order to take a break from running out to the unit and trying to make small alterations in the limited time I have available at present, I thought it sound to first review everything I am working through and towards in order to make sure that I achieve the…

Caution mindless rambling not related to Aquaponics follow. Inspired by the John Todd post I replied to. 

Let me cut to the chase I completed one of my early quests when I found the Holy Grail.  Here is the secret.

"You and the earth are one." My organic medicated brain can't seem to remember if it was a line from one of those 70s Arthur legend movies or just a moment of enlightenment. You know an AHa moment or profound revelation etc. 

I have always…

Okay, here is an update on my system. I planted a 48"X16' above ground pool in the ground 24"s, filled it with well water which I added a lot of lime ( my well water is so acidic that mosquitoes wont even lay in it) let it perk for three weeks then tested it and added 500 catfish fingerlings on March 19 2011. They were tiny and got lost in all that water.

The next step was to build a trough 25' long X 32" wide by 10" deep (Finished the trough about the middle of may, only had spare…

In a little over a year, we have had over 500 people visit our farm and answered countless emails and phone calls from those interested in starting a commercial aquaponic farm.  The questions are varied, from how much did it cost to start up, to how much money can you make to how many fish do I need.   Interestingly though, people often ask what we would have done differently when setting up our system or starting our business.  I never have an earth shattering answer.    There are…

I was wondering if anyone had tried to start the process using reverse osmosis water, and customizing the minerals.  I know it would be a lot of water to generate to start, after that not so bad.

I have heard of 'Ocean in a Bag', what about 'River in a Bag' or something of the sort?

So, here we are, in mid-August and I haven't posted a thing!  There hasn't been much to say since the AP project got put on hold due to work and family demands. I've decided I need to make some changes in my personal life... primarily in my line of work.

I put myself through college (B.S. Geography) working as an engineering technician; it was good work experience and I wouldn't trade that for anything, but I graduated in May and am now working in an asphalt lab... gross. I need to go…

Nature has set the rules and as a steward of her lands, I abide. Thus it is, in these times, I feel the necessity to change the way we think and live. Gone are the days of wanton spending. Gone are the days of gilt free bliss as oil extracts the real cost.

Imagine if white men did not conquer the Americas but learned to live in harmony. What wondrous sciences we would have achieved with that kind of knowledge combination; with wisdom, a sense of spiritually and respect,…

Hello  I am new to this but, have a very "blue" thumb"   If you have fish issues  feel very welcome to pm or email me questions I do not mind.  I was curator of aquatics at a major aquarium,, and run a pond and aquarium service here, in Jacksonville fl.  Today I will set my 410 gallon tank and in 2 weeks will put in 2  8X4 rafts untill I can increase the fish size.  inittially I will have tilapia and irridesant sharks ( I can sell the irredessant shark/catfish, if any one would like…

As the days go on the plants continue to thrive. The habaneros are getting larger. The tomato is growing like crazy. I continue to weave it down and within a couple days the plants are stretched out reaching towards the window. I feel they want better light than the shop light with aquarium bulbs.

The fish are feeding voraciously. I try to make sure to give enough flakes for 5 minutes of feeding. I still am doing this twice a day. I am going to switch to a different feed here…

I am in the process of getting information to start an aquaponic garden as a hobby. Hopefully it will be a success and I can progress to a higher level as I am nearing retirement and will need activities to keep me busy. I have a back ground of hobby gardening and I have an extensive back ground in aquariums. I am interested in putting the two together and see what the future brings. I am looking to building a small green house so I can start an aquaponic garden and make it through the first…

What do I fear? The same thing that may give us a chance at restructuring the way we (humans) do things…or throw us back into serfdom and the new Dark Age: Global unrest and the collapsing of governments.

Food security seems to be an issue that escapes most people, even those within the industry. It seems that a lot of people with good intentions and ideas are too focused on their own little whatever to be able to cooperate and conclusively draw a plan of action and most…

Hello my fellow eco-friendly peeps!

I put in a composter, and all things were happening nicely. Then one day examining the contents, it seemed quite dry, no worms , no moisture. Inspection revealed a large ficus root coming up the center of the unit and dispersing many hairlike rootlets, which was taking all the nutrients including water.

Said, ok, I will now put down a concrete slab that was obtained at Home Depot. Same scenario, all seemed well for first few months…

Concerned about GM crops ?   Here's a twist on that idea. The article starts out with this........

 Researchers say they have created the first ever animal with artificial information in its genetic code.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14492948

Nature doesn't need 'our' help. It can make changes all by it's self. Here's another article where nature…

What a strange sensation I had today.  Scrolling through some of my social media links, I came across a post on aquaponics – “10 rules of” no less.  It was by Dr Rakocy from UVI.  I will state upfront that the papers from this individual initially got me interested in aquaponics and I have used his detailed work a great deal since.  I am therefore comfortable with attributing my entry into aquaponics to a large extent to UVI and Dr Rakocy.  Many people on this forum can say this.  Whether it…

Here is a repeat of a discussion I started in the mixed design group to interest some people that may not have joined this open group.

The last couple of weeks have been really interesting in terms of reading up on some of the ideas and ideals of aquaponic systems, their designers, and in some cases, their rabid followers (shall I dare say worshippers?).  The Australian forums again supplied a bevy of examples of spats and howls around the mention of anything that does not…