Aquaponics as Therapy for your Over Worked Mind and Body

[Raychel A Watkins]

I came home from work this afternoon totally exhausted.  I have to do all the chores before I can consider lying down.  Dogs to feed, cat to feed, two pot bellied pigs to feed just to name a few things.  I have to run to the neighbors and pick up compost material, some one is coming at 630 pm to get some duckweed Oh and I forgot 19 tanks of fish to feed along with 4 nets of fry to feed.  All pumps have to be checked as well as all water levels, look at the plants and see how they are progressing.  Oh there is baby fish in tank 8, get the net scoop them out put them in net 4.  Then take a long time just to stare at the 1 in black and gold beautiful baby fry in net 1 and compare them to net 2 who were hatched  2 weeks later.  I am totally excited that the fry in net 1 have eaten 1 oz of duckweed in 24 hours.  I measure out 1 oz more and give it to them knowing that before I go to work in the afternoon tomorrow they will have eaten it.  

I wander over to system 19 and look at the beautiful fish swimming in the clear water because David Waite told me how to put my pump in a bucket and the stuff gets pumped to the grow beds.  The five grow beds of volcanic volcanic ash have been planted just a month yet we picked 2 bean off it today, we have been eating swiss chard, mint, and cucumbers for a week.  It is LIFE right before your eyes.  I marvel at how Glen's bucket siphon works without a flaw.  I think of the delight my son in law got in building it.  It is all made of recycled material but as strong as ox.  My son in law had a large tumor of the lining of the brain taken out 2 years ago and he is finding therapy in aquaponics.  

I check out Matt's engineering miracle tanks 14-17.  We have just redone the beds.  We removed all gravel and put the back end of the bed on blocks so it won't keep tipping.  We changed the gravel for cinders with a little gravel (much lighter).  We replanted all beds.  The vegetables are thriving We even took out the basil set it aside and then put it back in.  The leaves never flinched and the beat goes on.  I look down into the four tanks, the water stays crystal clear and the fish are thriving.  They are so beautiful you can just watch them forever.  People talk about bully fish, I never see that happening.  I change out there hyacinths for fresh ones.  The destroy them as they eat all parts,  I see all of these things and I marvel.

Oh here come the people for the duckweed.  They walk around with me and examine all the systems.  I never get tired of showing people around.  They get their duck weed and I give them a little azola also.  They offer to pay but my biggest joy comes in sharing with others.  I just made a deal with my tree trimming friend that he trim all my big trees that overlap my land and keep my trees from growing for keeping his family in fish.  When he brings me  wood chips his 3 year old is always with him he asks his dad if they can get some pish.  What a blessing to see that little boys eyes light up when you catch a few fish for them.

Yes aquaponics is therapy for the mind and body.  I am ready to return to the house totally refresh even though I just did 3 hours of chores amazing.  Oh I forgot to feed MR Slow that is what my grand son call the turtle.  My advice is to spend some time with your fish watch them swim through the water, watch them compete for the food, sit and listen to the falling water it is good for the soul.  Look at all the vegetables growing, Think how good they taste and how you can share with others.  Plant a few roses in your beds or troughs and look at the flowers amongst the vegetables.  

If you can come away from this with anger or depression I feel sorry for you.  I only come away filled with enthusiasm and ideas running through my head about what to do tomorrow.  I hope all of you get the same feeling and share it with your friends so they can have their own therapy session along with some food.

[Raychel A Watkins]

We will give them work on our aquaponic farm

[Raychel A Watkins]

We will top it off with a polynesian dinner with all the trappings

[Raychel A Watkins]

We will add side trips to the beach 2 miles away

[Raychel A Watkins]

ok here are the accommodations for the bed and breakfast.  It is located in the heart of the aquaponics land.

[Jake Schneider]

Or....an aquaponics bed and breakfast retreat!  They get to play farmer for the weekend, learn some cool AP stuff, get to eat what they helped grow, and pay you for the relaxing mini vacay!

[Jake Schneider]

Ok, so this gives me a totally cool idea. Aquaponics therapy and spa.  Zen people out while getting labor that they pay you for!  Throw in some refreshments and a massage, and viola!  Instant celebrity retreat!!  Raychel you'll be a millionaire!

[David Waite]

Hey by the way if you need me to build you a venturi and send it to you let me know. I send you a message a while back on it.

[Gina Cavaliero]

Love it Raychel!  Therapy session along with some food.  It is amazing how the trickle of the water, tending the plants and watching the fish can take the stress away.  I was having a horrible day a couple days ago and had to get away from my computer and left my phone inside too.  That I never do.  But I went out and played in my greenhouse, listened to tunes, singing the whole time and was happy as a clam.  Its amazing what it can do.

[David Waite]

Great read Raychel. You go girl. I am more relaxed just by reading this hehe.

[Sahib Punjabi]

Namaste Raychel,

 

Just wonderful. So nice to see that I am not the only one that gets natural stress relief in this way of life.

 

God bless,