Organic

[M Cosmo]

Lets discuss all or our concerns, process, research and solutions for Organics.  I know many of us want to practice the three Rs. Reduce Reuse and Recycle.  We have concerns about the ethics and risks of using petrochemical derived products. Rafts, Liners and other plastics.  Lets look for some viable Appropriate technology replacements that we know are better for the planet. 

What about additives, nutrients and stuff we put in our tanks. 

Feed and where it comes from. 

Packaging material for produce delivery. 

[M Cosmo]

I am working with a company that is researching the use of their products in Aquaponics and Hydroponics. They have asked me not to discuss who they are yet as they don't want a deluge of requests on this testing. So for the moment I am the point person on this testing. It is 100% Organic.
First Rafts. The product they are manufacturing today is available in sheets and other shapes. I would like to find a few of you to test some of these small raft pieces in your system. You will have full disclosure of what it is and who makes it.
Second. They would like to develop a replacement for net/slit pots that could be composted after use. First we need to know how Aquapons use these pots. Do they clean and recycle them after every use. Do they throw them away? How much labor is involved in the cleaning and reuse process? What do you pay for them? How long do they last? How do you dispose of them? Would you be willing to test some of them if they are manufactured for evaluation?

[Sahib Punjabi]

Thank you for the opportunity.

I have just completed my research aquaponic garden (well about 70%), and I have been researching various materials for the rafts other than the 2 inch Dow Square Edge (that is what I have purchased to start). I am just starting the planting season for my 48ft DWC bed and my media beds (as well as in the planning stage for installing some NFT pipes). I would love to be considered for a test person :-)

Michael Cosmo said:

I am working with a company that is researching the use of their products in Aquaponics and Hydroponics. They have asked me not to discuss who they are yet as they don't want a deluge of requests on this testing. So for the moment I am the point person on this testing. It is 100% Organic.
First Rafts. The product they are manufacturing today is available in sheets and other shapes. I would like to find a few of you to test some of these small raft pieces in your system. You will have full disclosure of what it is and who makes it.
Second. They would like to develop a replacement for net/slit pots that could be composted after use. First we need to know how Aquapons use these pots. Do they clean and recycle them after every use. Do they throw them away? How much labor is involved in the cleaning and reuse process? What do you pay for them? How long do they last? How do you dispose of them? Would you be willing to test some of them if they are manufactured for evaluation?

[Two Jay]

Mr. Cosmo, Anything new happening with the organic test products?

I am very interested in using something of this nature as I am still skeptical of all other various material possibilities. Ideally there would be a product, that one could be quite confident in, that either would be highly compostable or at the least very durable without any compounds being leached into the AP system.

My brain hurts from thinking about all these issues...

Michael Cosmo said:

I am working with a company that is researching the use of their products in Aquaponics and Hydroponics. They have asked me not to discuss who they are yet as they don't want a deluge of requests on this testing. So for the moment I am the point person on this testing. It is 100% Organic.
First Rafts. The product they are manufacturing today is available in sheets and other shapes. I would like to find a few of you to test some of these small raft pieces in your system. You will have full disclosure of what it is and who makes it.
Second. They would like to develop a replacement for net/slit pots that could be composted after use. First we need to know how Aquapons use these pots. Do they clean and recycle them after every use. Do they throw them away? How much labor is involved in the cleaning and reuse process? What do you pay for them? How long do they last? How do you dispose of them? Would you be willing to test some of them if they are manufactured for evaluation?

[Sahib Punjabi]

Hello Mr. Cosmo,

Have you already selected your "sample group"? As stated before, if there is an opportunity, I would like to be part of this group.

God bless,


Two Jay said:

Mr. Cosmo, Anything new happening with the organic test products?
I am very interested in using something of this nature as I am still skeptical of all other various material possibilities. Ideally there would be a product, that one could be quite confident in, that either would be highly compostable or at the least very durable without any compounds being leached into the AP system.
My brain hurts from thinking about all these issues...

Michael Cosmo said:

I am working with a company that is researching the use of their products in Aquaponics and Hydroponics. They have asked me not to discuss who they are yet as they don't want a deluge of requests on this testing. So for the moment I am the point person on this testing. It is 100% Organic.
First Rafts. The product they are manufacturing today is available in sheets and other shapes. I would like to find a few of you to test some of these small raft pieces in your system. You will have full disclosure of what it is and who makes it.
Second. They would like to develop a replacement for net/slit pots that could be composted after use. First we need to know how Aquapons use these pots. Do they clean and recycle them after every use. Do they throw them away? How much labor is involved in the cleaning and reuse process? What do you pay for them? How long do they last? How do you dispose of them? Would you be willing to test some of them if they are manufactured for evaluation?

[Two Jay]

Sahib, looks like it's just the 2 of us... we are the guinea pigs. jk ( :

[TCLynx]

Cosmo has just been building his raft tanks so perhaps he will be ready to arrange the test samples soon when he goes to get his.

[M Cosmo]

Sahib and Two Jay.

I just completed my first DWC float bed. I am in the process of arranging some more material for testing. Can you email - send me some pics of you system and a short explanation of your system. Please include the age of your system and the State- location. What experience you have had with DWC. I really only need about 4 test sites. Preferable in various climates.

[Sahib Punjabi]

Hi Mr.Cosmo,

I too have recently completed my research aquaponic fish farm (well almost 75%), and have a DWC grow bed that is 48ft x 4ft x 1ft and am currently using Dow Square Board rafts that has been cut in 32inch lengths and has a combination of 2 & 3 inch holes (mostly 2 inch). I will be also installing a NFT system as well as additional DWC grow beds using Hydroponic trays (.4ft x 8ft x 8inches).

Photos have been posted and shared with members. However I guess that as I am based in Central Florida, so in a similar climate to you, I would not be a good candidate for your "test" group as you are seeking test sites "Preferable in various climates" (:

Michael Cosmo said:

Sahib and Two Jay.

I just completed my first DWC float bed. I am in the process of arranging some more material for testing. Can you email - send me some pics of you system and a short explanation of your system. Please include the age of your system and the State- location. What experience you have had with DWC. I really only need about 4 test sites. Preferable in various climates.

[TCLynx]

Sahib Punjabi said:

Photos have been posted and shared with members. However I guess that as I am based in Central Florida, so in a similar climate to you, I would not be a good candidate for your "test" group as you are seeking test sites "Preferable in various climates" (:

Ah but Sahib, you have such a perfect research system set up that they would be nuts not to send you some samples for you to run comparisons with some other materials. You have the perfect layout for that sort of thing I would think.

[Sahib Punjabi]

Thanks :-)

TCLynx said:

Sahib Punjabi said:

Photos have been posted and shared with members. However I guess that as I am based in Central Florida, so in a similar climate to you, I would not be a good candidate for your "test" group as you are seeking test sites "Preferable in various climates" (:

Ah but Sahib, you have such a perfect research system set up that they would be nuts not to send you some samples for you to run comparisons with some other materials. You have the perfect layout for that sort of thing I would think.

[Two Jay]

Mr Cosmo,

I am only in the building stages. The system will be quite large, housed in a 30' x 96' GH, and is being built as a commercial venture. I have posted some pics, a few versions of what we are thinking about, on the forum. The Growing Power / Sweetwater Organics style of trench is already in, actually 2 of them.

We are up in Michigan, we do experience the various temperature ranges. The one big thing that appeals to me, about the products you have mentioned, is that they are 100% Organic! We are going for Organic certification not only in the GH but also on the rest of the farm.

[Two Jay]

I should have also mentioned that we are semi-working with a few Universities in Michigan and I am talking to a few local schools, not only for demonstration purposes but as I mentioned before, the economic purposes too.

We will be tracking nearly all aspects of our system including the various labor activities, seed cost, energy cost, fish, vegetables, market prices and the list goes on and on... Once we start gathering enough real data our intentions are to share it all open source with whomever can benefit from it.

Please keep me posted as to the progress of the products... Thanks in advance for you efforts.