A Community and Forum For Aquaponic Gardeners

Northwest Aquaponics and Greenhouse Network

I would like to create a network of Aquaponics and greenhouse enthusiasts to share knowledge and skills related to growing in our area. I think it would greatly decrease the learning curve and save many people the expense of making the same mistakes. Everything is getting more and more expensive. I would like to find out how we can decrease costs and improve growing year round as cost effectively as possible.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ian Broussard on December 6, 2011 at 11:05am

I would love to get together some time. I have been rather busy but we need to set up a time, it is very important to develop and work with others so we can avoid those problems that some us I am sure have already encountered, others have yet to and generally share our knowledge. Sorry I am fairly new to the aquaculture but have studied horticulture/hydro/organic growing/soil science and pond building so I do have some knowledge in the general area of interest. Yes I agree with heating being a primary issue. Right now I am in the base development stage- We are wanting to run a bed and breakfast from our home- live in the garage- we are on a 1/4 of an acre and want to promote sustainability and comfort can go hand and hand with a fair share of work- which isn't work if you love what your doing! I just dug the duck a ponic pond- its gonna be covered by a hydro table which runs back to a small fish pond for the ducks to occasionally enjoy. (We cook our food thoroughly- they are ducks and love muck!) We are gonna grow them duck weed- rice- oats and other stuff in the hydro table above them. Seeing as how we are in the city are ducks are in a old dog kennel coverted to protect them from racoons, cats and other animals. Just getting started on the digging of our crayfish pond- we bought a bunch of pondliner- I got some free old carpet underliner to put under it. Would love help with ideas on affordable greenhouse ideas for our soon to be aquaponic area. We have rabbits which have been suggested to use to heat the greenhouse- this is a project considering having to worry about their ammonia release in the greenhouse- I know there are some ways to deal with this issue though. ANyways... Glad were all on the same note of making this work and bringing the food back to our lands. =) CSA sounds great I know we can't do everything here and love the barter system =)

Permalink Reply by Anne Phillip on February 17, 2012 at 1:21am

I am very interested in the idea of a local group of people who have aquaponics systems up and running. I am just beginning, so it would be excellent to hear about everyone's experiences. I am in Portland, OR and would love to visit anyone in town who has a system. Rick, I would be very interested to see your operation, especially your new heating system- I bike and bus to get around town, but maybe if there was a meeting of some sort, I could organize a car as well. I think the idea of forming a local network is a great one.

I would like to help it materialize if possible

Permalink Reply by Jeremey Locken on February 27, 2012 at 8:59pm

Hello All

New to aquaponics and the PNW, getting a house this summer and going to have an AP setup. I would like to network with fellow aquapons in the area. I am very handy and have some basic tools if anyone is building a setup I would gladly help out just for the experience. RICK! Im in Des Moines, WA and would gladly drive to ROY to help/see your setup, and talk shop. My work has me diving all over OR, and WA if anyone has a setup they would like to show let me know. I've read several books on the subject and countless hours on the net researching this subject. I could use some hands on. Thank you.

Permalink Reply by Rick Stillwagon on February 28, 2012 at 8:26am

Hi Jeremy,

You are welcome to come out any time. We are working on a project that will be in Portland that you may be intereted in seeing as well.

Jeremey Locken said:

Hello All

New to aquaponics and the PNW, getting a house this summer and going to have an AP setup. I would like to network with fellow aquapons in the area. I am very handy and have some basic tools if anyone is building a setup I would gladly help out just for the experience. RICK! Im in Des Moines, WA and would gladly drive to ROY to help/see your setup, and talk shop. My work has me diving all over OR, and WA if anyone has a setup they would like to show let me know. I've read several books on the subject and countless hours on the net researching this subject. I could use some hands on. Thank you.

J

Permalink Reply by claude saunders on February 28, 2012 at 12:15pm

Hi All,

I'm an aquapon in Chicagoland right now, but planning on moving to Portland with my wife in about 1 year. Hopefully you will all still be at it then, because I would love to join in. The hardest part about moving will be having to decommission my system for several months :)

Permalink Reply by Rick Stillwagon on February 28, 2012 at 3:18pm

Hi Claude,

You will have to meet Oma and Lindy when you get to Portland. Great people, and Oma has a very green thumb! I look forward to chatting with you some time.

Permalink Reply by Anne Phillip on February 28, 2012 at 4:03pm

I agree- Oma and Lindy are great! I hope to see your greenhouse when it's all completed Rick.

Claude, have you checked out Growing Power and Sweet Water Organics in Milwaukee? If not, it might be a great trip for you. Both places are inspiring in their own ways.

Permalink Reply by Jeremey Locken on February 28, 2012 at 9:49pm

Thans Rick

I can be out there Saturday (3-3-12) late morning. My email is jjlocken@hotmail.com send me your address and any other related info. Im working in south Oregon right now and going through Portland thursday or friday.

J

Rick Stillwagon said:

Hi Jeremy,

You are welcome to come out any time. We are working on a project that will be in Portland that you may be intereted in seeing as well.

Jeremey Locken said:

Hello All

New to aquaponics and the PNW, getting a house this summer and going to have an AP setup. I would like to network with fellow aquapons in the area. I am very handy and have some basic tools if anyone is building a setup I would gladly help out just for the experience. RICK! Im in Des Moines, WA and would gladly drive to ROY to help/see your setup, and talk shop. My work has me diving all over OR, and WA if anyone has a setup they would like to show let me know. I've read several books on the subject and countless hours on the net researching this subject. I could use some hands on. Thank you.

J

Permalink Reply by Rick Stillwagon on March 9, 2012 at 8:08am

We should get together and do a tour of Greenhouse and Aquaponics systems in the area. It might stimulate some ideas and growth in a network of people in the Pacific Northwest.