Aaron: I am not a educator per se but have been asked to come help at an advanced students high school nearby. What type of system would you first set up? I personally have a flood and drain with bell siphons and have access to a CHOP1 system. thanks, Paul

Hi Aaron,

We are Self-Sustaining Enterprises, Inc. and independent ministry doing community development in a rural area in Nigeria. We also run a water well drilling enterprise here; we drill in rural communities to bring clean water and sanitation and hygiene training. We have drilled about 80 community wells in the past 3 years. Our website is www.sseinc.org. Thanks for asking and I hope you and your wife have a chance to reach out to those who need it the most.

Hi Aaron-

You can check out the podcast, more pictures, videos and workshop links at www.coloradoaquaponics.com

We are having an online introduction to aquaponics workshop tomorrow and wednesday april 4th and 6th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm MT if you are interested.

As for the growingpower style 2 tiered system. It is not sunk into the ground because of where is it located and it stands about 9' tall which is a little much for planting and harvesting the top bed. We have a few lights in the middle growbed and they would be necessary if you want production in that bed. We are currently growing a ton of watercress and about 20 trout in that system. The trout will need to come out in the next few weeks as water temps are getting warmer than they like. That system would be better with a single, deeper growbed as it lacks proper filtration that you would get from media beds that are 12" deep. We built it exactly as specified by GrowingPower, but would modify it if we ever built is again as I mentioned. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Tawnya Sawyer

Colorado Aquaponics

I finally had a chance to watch this...excellent!  Posted on the home page.  Thanks

Thanks for the order, Aaron.  You're going to like the video!

Hi Aaron.  Murray's new DIY DVD is a 2 hour DVD with 2 distinct sections - a 1 hour DIY section, and a First 12 Months section.  It was originally going to be two separate DVDs, but was ultimately combined into one, along with a downloadable PDF of plans for the IBC system he builds on the video.  Confusing, I know, but it is excellent.

Same here very little background, but certainly willing to learn. I have plans for a large home system which would be built in 2 phases to help learn as I go. I would also love to have an in class system to help teach as apart of my introductory unit. Until I buy my first house this is all on hold unfortunately.

Hey Aaron. I am a teacher in a small public school north of the lehigh valley. It great to see other advocates for ap getting the word out. Still working on getting a project in my classroom.

lol.  i hows the science project coming

I did some training with Morning Star Fishermen in Florida and a lot on my own, I am hoping to go to the Virgin Islands in March to do some additional training. If you ever plan to be in Belize again please let me know, hopefully we can connect.

We are visiting the EcoComplex next Thursday at 9am - I will ask the tour guide about future visits on your behalf, as well.  Hopefully we'll be able to take some photographs.

 

Best,

 

Kristine

Thanks. I used the same form for both the bed and tank, just duplicating/stacking for the tank. I have the fish tank filled about half way so far to test it and everything is holding well, but I will take your comment into consideration if there are any problems- thanks.

Hey Aaron, yeah I did. I could not find a prefabricated tank that would be large enough, so duplicated my grow bed design (7Lx3Wx12inH wood frame with pond liner). I now have a ~300 gallon tank that also supports the grow bed. I just added the liner to the tank and moved the bed into place today, so don't have everything figured out yet or pictures taken (tomorrow) but I do have these to share-

I have a quick post on the tank here (http://kmgx3xi.wordpress.com/) and will be adding another tomorrow with pictures and a video.

This is the design- grow bed on top (~7x3) and combination of 2 grow beds on the bottom to form a tank (69" x 42"). The size allows for access to the tank and combination allows for future adaptation if I find a pre-made tank, the current tank can be taken apart and become two more grow beds, only needing a bottom support.

 

I hope this helps with your design, and I just have to say I wish I was in your science class :)

 

 

Hi Aaron!  My boyfriend and I are trying to organize a field trip to the EcoComplex of Rutgers University.  They have limited resources for providing tours but do seem willing to host a small group.  We number about 4 - any chance you would be interested in joining us?  We don't have a date set as of yet but I know the availability is Mon- Fri, preferably in the a.m.  I see that you are a h.s. teacher so I'm not sure if this is possible with your schedule but, perhaps ..... let me know!

Thanks Aaron, sorrry I could not get back to you sooner, but for some reason my internet has been giving some problems since the new year. Have you been to Belize before?

I am currently talking to agirls home about setting up a commercial AP system to be used to fund the childrens home, we are only at the beginning stages of the discussion but if it happens they could be on their way to being self sustainable.

 

thanks.. yeah im gonna try the gravel and see how it works.

Hey Aaron!  Thanks for dropping me a line!

 

I am really excited to get going on this.  I've changed my plans a little... going to put the trout tank in the unfinished basement and run the plumbing to the greenhouse and to an outside bed.  I found a decent Koi pump on EBay which should do the trick.  Having a basement tank will help keep the water cool in the summer, and warm in the winter... sort of like a geothermal set up.  Good luck with the tilapia!  I'd like to hear how that goes for you.

 

Best,

 

Adam 

Welcome :-)

Happy New Year