tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69775914966236528872024-03-13T03:02:41.716+00:00Aquaponicitytimxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07906163084335439894noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977591496623652887.post-58256595800284923502017-06-07T21:31:00.000+01:002017-06-07T21:37:37.941+01:00After nearly five years - An Update!<div class="MsoNormal">
I decided that it was time to get this blog out of
mothballs, blow off the dust and bring it up to date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact is that regarding my aquaponics
project, which I first started planning seven or eight years ago, that
inevitable obstacle of funding delayed any practical moves towards
realization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hence the sale of my house.<o:p></o:p></div>
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First the refurbishment.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then the ‘For Sale’ sign.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then, after a considerable wait, the sale – which rather
inconveniently occurred during a long planned visit to Tasmania and New Zealand
to visit friends and family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My visit
took place between November 2013 and January 2014, with the house sale being
completed in January. Thus, much needed funds were liberated!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Keeping it brief, I was able to come to an agreement with
second son, which helped him to buy a large enough property to provide space
for me to live, and develop the aquaponics – although the funds necessary to
get started were still not immediately available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is, however, a large garden, a section
of which became mine to deal with – completely overgrown with bramble, nettle, buddleia
and convolvulus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all took over the
property in September 2014.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Next steps: <o:p></o:p></div>
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We refurbished the old static caravan for my accommodation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New floor, some walls, rebuilt inside to my
specification,<o:p></o:p></div>
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and cut back top growth in garden plot (about 35m x 15m).<o:p></o:p></div>
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I couldn’t yet afford the planned insulated greenhouse for
the aquaponic system, so work began to get stuff growing in the garden. We cut
down some trees, and shifted some earth about with a digger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I laid out some beds, using our cardboard
removal boxes for weed suppression. Imported about three tonnes of compost from
local authority recycled garden waste.
Put up a small greenhouse I brought from the last place.</div>
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I refurbished an old cedar greenhouse which had been left
derelict for 10 or 15 years – stripping the ivy from inside and out, having new
roof vents made, replacing glass which the ivy had broken, and digging out a
sycamore tree which had self seeded in front of the door. Total cost for an
excellent 8ft x 12ft cedar greenhouse, £600!</div>
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I started serious food growing in a small way in 2015, while
continuing to break in what was effectively virgin ground (although it had once
been a fine productive garden).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It soon
became clear that rabbits would be a problem, so rabbit fencing had to be
installed round all beds. Rats became very interested in my compost bins!<o:p></o:p></div>
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By spring 2016, I had a proper garden, although brambles,
docks and nettles continued to be a nuisance.
Constant strimming of the areas between the beds allowed grass to take
over from docks, nettles and brambles. </div>
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Then came the next step towards the aquaponic
project.<br />
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I was at last able to release enough money to purchase an 8m
x 6m insulated <a href="http://www.kedergreenhouse.co.uk/" target="_blank">Keder greenhouse</a>. Before its arrival, I had built a sunken sump
tank with concrete blocks, setting them on a concrete base about 1m below
ground level. </div>
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Then with ongoing help from second son and a hired digger, we
prepared the site for the arrival of the installation team. The greenhouse was installed in a couple of
days, at a cost approaching £7000. (You can see why I had to sell my
house!)</div>
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The greenhouse arrived partly on a pallet, and partly on the roof of the fitters' truck.</div>
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It was difficult to envisage a 8m x 6m greenhouse emerging from this lot!<br />
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Meanwhile I needed to stay on top of the gardening outside
and in the two small greenhouses, and as winter approached and the weather worsened
(the site proving pretty windy) I found my desire to continue with outside
activities somewhat diminished!</div>
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Entering summer 2017, my garden is in reasonable shape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am forced to admit that I am no longer able
physically to achieve what I might have done even 10 years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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However, the sump tank is insulated, lined
with board, and fibre-glassed (this by an expert).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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The fish tank, which used to be the water
tank in the roof space of a demolished school, is in place, after some manhandling through the 2m wide entrance.</div>
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It is glass fibre
and insulated. It has been filled and tested for leaks, as has the sump
tank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The fish tank will hold in excess of 2000litres of water, and the sump tank more than 1000litres.</span></div>
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I have laid the first of two 3m x
1.2m concrete pads which will be the bases for the grow beds. I have purchased some IBCs which will be
cannibalized to make the grow beds. I
have also purchased six ready-made auto-syphons, for the flood and drain system
in the grow beds.</div>
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Meanwhile, so that the big greenhouse is starting to earn
its keep, I have made a raised bed down one side, where I am growing cherry
tomatoes, roccoto chillies, cape gooseberries and Lord Nelson sweet peas
(because I like them and they will attract pollinators!) I also have tubs with more tomatoes, carrots,
spring onions, lettuces, parsley and coriander, as well as three citrus fruit
trees. Next I must lay the second concrete pad, and build the block piers to
support the grow beds. </div>
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Soon I must have
second son install mains electricity, and to follow, a heating system for the
fish tank, using partially mains supply and partially a solar thermal
panel. The mains supply will eventually
be supported by solar PV panels which currently connect to the main house.</div>
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I have yet to buy the pump, the heart of the system, and the
air pump for the fish tank.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Just to be clear; if this was to be a commercial exercise I
would be building a different system which would be designed to produce a large
quantity of a few profitable plants – salad leaves and herbs. But I have
different goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to provide a
wide variety of food for the family in as sustainable way as possible, and
also, perhaps, to demonstrate the possibilities for the system as a community
project, as climate change tightens its grip, with an inevitable impact on food
production and cost.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So far so good!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
hope to have the system running this year, but without fish while I cycle up
the system, developing the bacteria in the grow beds (which convert fish waste,
i.e. ammonia, into nitrates which the plants can use) and balancing the pH in
the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be growing plants
during this phase and would hope to order fish next year: I will be growing
Tilapia, which is the reason for heating the fish tank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am hoping that the fish tank and sump totalling
about 3000 litres of warm water (about 25 degrees C) in the <a href="http://www.kedergreenhouse.co.uk/" target="">insulated greenhouse</a> will help me to a longer
growing season, particularly if in winter I supplement the natural light with
some grow lights.<o:p></o:p></div>
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That’s it – up to date for the moment. More to follow as and
when.<o:p></o:p></div>
timxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07906163084335439894noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977591496623652887.post-85934794909394452752012-08-02T21:29:00.000+01:002012-08-02T22:22:45.328+01:00Black Soldier Fly Farm ConstructionWhat follows is almost completely based on the instructions written by Jerry in the <a href="http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/bsf-bucket-composter-version-2-1/">Black Soldier Fly Blog.<br />
</a><br />
Parts:<br />
1 x 25 litre lidded bucket with lid £9.99<br />
1 x length 40mm PVC pipe (black is cheaper) (1.5m) £1.64<br />
1 x length 22mm overflow pipe £1.99<br />
1 x ‘T’ joiner £0.99<br />
1 x straight coupler £1.49<br />
2 x 22mm 90deg elbow £1.20<br />
1 x 35cm plant pot saucer £3.49<br />
1 x length 22mm clear Plastic Pipe £3.98<br />
3 x small plastic flower pots (70mm high) £0.18<br />
1 x piece weed suppressing membrane .. .. ..<br />
1 x Water butt tap £3.37<br />
PVC cement, silicone sealant, PVA glue .. .. ..<br />
<br />
Total £28.32<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PXknAzbCMxE/UBrmuM4mB7I/AAAAAAAAAEo/JN6G9A8SXUI/s1600/Main%2Bparts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PXknAzbCMxE/UBrmuM4mB7I/AAAAAAAAAEo/JN6G9A8SXUI/s320/Main%2Bparts.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Taking my lead from the <a href="http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/bsf-bucket-composter-version-2-1/">BSF blog instructions</a>, but with a couple of my own variations, I purchased a 25 litre lidded bucket from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kernowgrow">Kernow Grow and Brew in Penryn</a>, plumbing bits from <a href="http://www.wickes.co.uk/?utm_source=affiliate_window&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_term=Skimbit&utm_content=textlink&utm_campaign=textlink&awc=1563_1343939079_57e5434928909ed122db6ca217a7b78d">Wickes</a> (following the cheapest route), plant pot saucer from The <a href="http://www.therange.co.uk/">Range</a>, clear plastic tube from <a href="http://www.chacewateraquatics.co.uk/">Chacewater Aquatics</a>, and the water butt tap from eBay. Everything else comes from my own personal junkyard!<br />
<br />
I first cut the 40mm pipe, two pieces for the top of the vent and a short piece to go through the lid, then I used a hole saw on the lid. The straight coupler goes on the underside of the lid, just to secure the vent in the hole. All this is assembled with PVC cement, and that is the lid complete.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OeIb_fLvSaM/UBrlCxOFgFI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/egXacXVF6pg/s1600/Vent%2Bin%2Bbucket%2Blid.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="134" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OeIb_fLvSaM/UBrlCxOFgFI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/egXacXVF6pg/s200/Vent%2Bin%2Bbucket%2Blid.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BiKvas6VOiY/UBrl2OZsYbI/AAAAAAAAAEc/AorZWw9nm4g/s1600/Trimming%2Bthe%2Bedge%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bsaucer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="134" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BiKvas6VOiY/UBrl2OZsYbI/AAAAAAAAAEc/AorZWw9nm4g/s200/Trimming%2Bthe%2Bedge%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bsaucer.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Next, I used a small hack saw to trim the saucer to size, so that it sits 70mm from the bottom of the bucket and tight to the sides, with the edge turning upwards to contain soldier grubs and compost away from the edge and for better drainage.<br />
<br />
I drilled several holes in the saucer (and caused two or three cracks to appear) and cut a piece of membrane to size. The membrane is glued to the saucer with a number of blobs of PVA glue – I’m not sure how effective this will be – I may have to rethink the filter!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G9rxEYBATn4/UBrnP2V2PDI/AAAAAAAAAE0/6XoOc4NLyzU/s1600/Membrane%2Bglued%2Bin%2Bplace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="134" width="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G9rxEYBATn4/UBrnP2V2PDI/AAAAAAAAAE0/6XoOc4NLyzU/s200/Membrane%2Bglued%2Bin%2Bplace.JPG" /></a></div><br />
The three flower pots are held in place, upside down at the bottom of the bucket, with silicone, to support the filter.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2bzj9ROYelw/UBrn3BmYBxI/AAAAAAAAAFA/n01LxUgDPVY/s1600/flower%2Bpots%2Band%2Bescape%2Bhatch%2Bfixed%2Bin%2Bplace%2Bwith%2Bsilicone.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="134" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2bzj9ROYelw/UBrn3BmYBxI/AAAAAAAAAFA/n01LxUgDPVY/s200/flower%2Bpots%2Band%2Bescape%2Bhatch%2Bfixed%2Bin%2Bplace%2Bwith%2Bsilicone.JPG" /></a></div><br />
For the exit point for the mature grubs I drilled a hole for the 90deg elbow, which needed to be 25mm and just under the lip at the top of the bucket. Unfortunately I found drilling a clean hole in the soft plastic of the bucket difficult, so this is a bit of a dog’s dinner. It is held in place with silicone, but not well – but this doesn’t matter as the joint doesn’t need to be watertight. I have connected the other elbow to it outside the bucket with 45mm of 22mm pipe (I had to buy 2 metres!). A second length of the 22mm pipe comes down from the elbow, and will lead into a container for the mature bugs to become flies. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X1K5AXVQCgQ/UBro2aEDYJI/AAAAAAAAAFM/6BGsE0oQ2Oc/s1600/Exit%2Bramp%2Band%2Bfilter%2Bfitted.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="134" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X1K5AXVQCgQ/UBro2aEDYJI/AAAAAAAAAFM/6BGsE0oQ2Oc/s200/Exit%2Bramp%2Band%2Bfilter%2Bfitted.JPG" /></a></div>I cut a shovel shape from a milk container to be fixed to the bottom of the escape tube, and have used a piece of the clear plastic to lead the mature grubs to the top of the bucket.<br />
<br />
The ventilation slots were cut, as suggested by <a href="http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/bsf-bucket-composter-version-2-1/">Jerry</a>, by drilling a hole at each end of each slot, and cutting through with a hacksaw blade. The water butt tap required a 25mm hole to be drilled near the bottom of the bucket, and I fixed the tap on its side, to allow the hole to be as low as possible. Of course I could put the bucket on a stand of some kind and set the tap properly – but it really doesn’t matter!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tP7DVT0fVZs/UBrqBrTvigI/AAAAAAAAAFY/SpAmlOA1TeM/s1600/Exit%2Bpipe%2Bfixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="134" width="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tP7DVT0fVZs/UBrqBrTvigI/AAAAAAAAAFY/SpAmlOA1TeM/s200/Exit%2Bpipe%2Bfixed.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I await the arrival of my <a href="http://www.rickslivefood.co.uk/vmchk/Phoenix-Worms/View-all-products.html">soldier fly larvae</a> (I have ordered 100 small ones) which cost £5.15 including postage.<br />
<br />
Wish me luck!<br />timxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07906163084335439894noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977591496623652887.post-84920556319156411792012-07-18T23:09:00.000+01:002012-07-20T22:16:29.687+01:00The Great Food ConundrumIf you listen closely to the various pundits on the subject of impending global food shortages, you will be forced to recognise that they all contradict each other!<br />
<br />
World population is ever growing – <i>or is it?</i> Several countries are reportedly worried about their falling birth rates, and some say that world population will peak at 9 billion, an increase of less than a third. Bad enough, but manageable!<br />
<br />
Global food production will have to double (or treble, or quadruple) to cope with increasing demand – <i>or will it?</i> Some say that the problem is one of distribution and that we already produce enough food worldwide to feed 12 billion people.<br />
<br />
It will be necessary to use GMOs to increase productivity or millions will starve – <i>or will they?</i> Just over a year ago a <a href="http://www.srfood.org/index.php/en/component/content/article/1-latest-news/1174-report-agroecology-and-the-right-to-food">UN report on the right to food</a> made it clear that agroecological farming methods, practised by small scale farmers, particularly in poverty-stricken areas, increased productivity dramatically; and in this context small scale farmers’ organisations should be supported. Amazingly this report doesn’t mention GM crops, but indicates that large monocultural agribusinesses are definitely not the way forward.<br />
<br />
The crazy thing is that anyone who takes an interest in food production, or grows their own food, knows all this instinctively. But big business has the big bucks and big bucks buy influence. So even if a few politicians ‘get it’ they are not as powerful as ‘Big Agro’, and can do nothing to redirect food production into more sensible avenues.<br />
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But there are more and more individuals and small community organisations that do ‘get it’. People like <a href="http://www.tamargrowlocal.org/">Tamar Grow Local</a>, for example; a CIC which promotes and supports the growing and sale of local produce in the Tamar Valley. And as fuel and fossil-fuel-based fertiliser gets more expensive, maybe the penny will drop with consumers, who may start to realise that it is local food producers who will be the cheapest, as well as providing local jobs and keeping us healthy. And more and more of us will be growing our own food – provided the right kind of support is given by local authorities and central government.<br />
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There are so many great opportunities out there; aquaponics of course, community supported agriculture, allotments, community gardens – not since the war years have so many people started to think for themselves about how to feed themselves and their communities. It will take time for the momentum to build, but build it will!timxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07906163084335439894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977591496623652887.post-21779689975139944832012-05-28T14:53:00.002+01:002012-07-10T19:19:32.312+01:00At Last!My house renovation is finally finished, and I have a For Sale board outside.<br />
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It's true that future projects, and in particular my aquaponics project, depend on finding a buyer, but I am closer to that point than before, with no further obstacles to a sale - and though I say so myself, it is a very pleasant little property!<br />
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Now that the hard work is done, I have time to continue researching. If all goes well, I am planning a trip to Australia and New Zealand to visit family and friends before I start building my system, so construction of insulated polytunnel (<a href="http://www.kedergreenhouse.co.uk/Default.aspx://">Keder house</a>), and installation of heated fish tank and growbeds will not start before 2013. Meanwhile, as I follow the activities of practising aquaponics people in America and Australia, my thoughts and ideas continue to mature. (Impatient as I am to get started, until I can move house nothing else can happen!)<br />
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Thus it was that I started to look into the possibility of growing mushrooms as part of the project. I spotted a video clip of Will Allen growing mushrooms in his greenhouses, so it is clearly possible - but it is a matter of finding the most appropriate method for my situation which is cost effective and productive in the long term. (A single flush of mushrooms lasting a week or two is no good to me!) <br />
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For the moment, though, it is a frustrating waiting game, waiting for that enthusiastic house buyer to knock at my door!
Here is a link to my selling <a href="http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-23473326.html">agent's</a> detailstimxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07906163084335439894noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977591496623652887.post-52883964992328535312011-10-11T11:15:00.001+01:002011-10-11T11:18:32.576+01:00Birthday Present for Myself!I had my birthday on Sunday. Some family members made more of a fuss than I thought was warranted but it was very enjoyable - I was given a very useful digital SLR camera - something I always assumed that I would never be able to afford - and a pleasant lunch and a delicious supper. <br />
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But for myself, I bought two books. One was a recipe book by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall called <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/River-Cottage-Veg-Every-Day/dp/1408812126/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1318328009&sr=1-1">River Cottage Veg Every Day</a> and consists of recipes which do not include either fish or meat. It is not written specifically for vegetarians; it is simply an attempt to get people eating more vegetables. I can see it becoming my cooking bible once my aquaponic unit is up and running.<br />
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The other book I bought was one I pre-ordered months ago: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Aquaponic-Gerdening-Step---Step-Vegetables/dp/086571701X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1318328078&sr=1-1">Aquaponic Gardening</a> by Sylvia Bernstein. This has only just come onto the market, and I would consider it essential for anyone interested in the subject but particularly the beginner. It is written in an easy-to-read and entertaining style, which is not in the least patronising, and as far as I can tell so far, covers every aspect of setting up an aquaponic system making due allowance for different climates and for those of us used to working with metric measurements.<br />
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Although I don't expect to get started with my set-up until next year, I am finding this book interesting and instructive, and as a result of reading it I expect to be better equipped to get going as soon as I have the premises!timxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07906163084335439894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977591496623652887.post-49642888157745737782011-08-04T10:14:00.002+01:002011-08-13T10:19:27.158+01:00Spreading the wordAs you might expect, I have been talking about my plans with some enthusiasm to anyone prepared to listen. My son has had an offer accepted on the house he currently rents, and so we have discussed how to turn the garage into an annex for me to live in, complete with an outside area, where I hope to put up my 4M x 3M <a href="http://www.kedergreenhouse.co.uk/Default.aspx">Keder greenhouse</a>. There is a slight conflict at the moment because he is hoping to build an extension which could encroach on the greenhouse area - but I hope this can be resolved.<br />
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However, assuming that problem can be resolved, the situation looks promising and the deal can go ahead as soon as I have finished renovating my house so it can be sold.<br />
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Meanwhile, I went to a conference on renewable energy the other day. There were many presentations, most of which I had heard before, and there were a quantity of exhibition stands, which dealt with wind turbines and PV panels for the most part, with a smattering of solar thermal and biomass products. I saw nothing on wave or tidal energy, which in Cornwall, with sea on three sides, is disappointing. I was interviewed briefly by a couple of 'media' students who were being paid for by the sponsors (the local authority) to gather feedback, and was happy to say that I thought the conference was very worthwhile if only for the opportunity it presented for spreading the word about environmental matters and green energy.<br />
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On the matter of spreading the word, I was mentioning my aquaponics plans to a friend and her colleague, who suggested that I should share my ideas with the local <a href="http://www.transitiontruro.org.uk/">Transition group</a>. She and her colleague are both active in the Transition movement, and seemed unconcerned that I have, as yet, no practical experience whatsoever! But I am quite capable of talking about aquaponics at length, and can intersperse my chat with various video clips, so I will be happy to accept the challenge!timxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07906163084335439894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977591496623652887.post-50036492255581230702011-07-17T21:53:00.001+01:002011-07-18T09:15:04.376+01:00IBC tanksI have spent a bit of time on line, particularly Ebay, looking for a source for IBCs at a reasonable price, reasonably close by my home, and not contaminated with something nasty. I am planning to build my system on a shoe string, as well as looking for the best use of space in a 4M x 3M <a href="http://www.kedergreenhouse.co.uk/Default.aspx">Keder house</a>, and I reckon I can use an IBC for the fish tank, a plastic water tank for the sump (planted in the ground and packed in insulation sheets) and five second-hand bath tubs for grow-beds. The sump will be covered so that it can be walked on, thus saving space.<br />
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But as for the IBCs, I got sick of looking! I was talking to a friend of mine who <a href="http://www.carleys.co.uk/">processes organic food</a>, and mentioned my frustration - whereupon he said that he gets them all the time, and that his have only been used for sunflower oil. And they are only 5 miles away! <br />
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I spoke to my son about all this, and he told me that our local all-purpose hardware store also stocks them, quite cheap!<br />
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We are inclined, these days, to assume that the internet provides us with all the answers. Perhaps if we looked closer to home at the outset, fewer small businesses would be going out of business!timxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07906163084335439894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977591496623652887.post-54316891355139297512011-06-26T22:17:00.004+01:002011-06-26T22:35:47.357+01:00Breeder ColoniesI have been reading about a breeder colony: in other words a separate tank in which to breed new fish. <a href="http://tilapiafarmingathome.com/default.aspx">The website</a> where I found the information, <a href="http://tilapiafarmingathome.com/default.aspx">Tilapia Farming At Home</a>, is a US based website, and the suggestion is that by producing hybrids from a male O. Hornorum and about half a dozen O. Mossambica females, you produce 98% male offspring, thus avoiding the problem of over-breeding in the fish tank. In this website, photographs indicate that the offspring are a reasonable size and shape!<br /><br />I need to get a second and third opinion about this, as well as checking availability of these varieties of Tilapia - but it sounds like a plan!timxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07906163084335439894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977591496623652887.post-46807943125371027992011-06-20T22:27:00.004+01:002011-06-20T22:49:08.742+01:00System DesignI've been thinking a lot about how to design a system in a 4m x 3M Keder house. I am coming around to the idea from Murray Hallam, that perhaps a sump is a good idea, mainly from the point of view of relative levels. The fish tank could sit on the ground, and the grow beds could be fairly low (which I would prefer, for access to climbing plants) especially if the sump was sunk into the ground. It could be completely insulated to help maintain temperature, and the growbeds could be insulated too. Another plus is that much of the pipework could be run underground, which, especially if lagged, would also help to retain temperature.<br /><br />I needed to find out how big the sump needs to be, so I asked Charlie Price about the medium/water ratio in a grow bed. (He said it's about 2/3 to 1/3) I have worked out that if I have five bath-tub growbeds, I would need a sump with a capacity of around 450 litres.<br /><br />I have asked Murray Hallam if I would be able to use the sump as a breeder tank - which could solve the fish stock problems. I read that you can have a breeder tank for Tilapia, and if you have a male of one type (specified) and I think five females of a different type (specified), the offspring are 98% male, and it occurred to me that these could live in the sump!<br /><br />Now I have to find a source for a 500 litre tank of the right shape, preferably without buying two IBCs!timxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07906163084335439894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977591496623652887.post-77932868266964323182011-06-16T10:33:00.006+01:002011-06-16T11:08:49.447+01:00How Safe is Aquaponics?The recent e-coli scare in Europe (the scare, but not the infection, has spread to the USA) has pointed up the question of safety in vegetables.<br /><br />Over a couple of years, in the States, a comparison between green vegetables purchased in grocery stores, and those grown aquaponically, showed that the latter were pathogen free – in other words, the aquaponically grown vegetables were 100% safe.<br /><br />However, ironically, again in the USA, aquaponically grown food cannot qualify for a Food Safety Certificate. The reason for this is the book of rules, and specifically two parameters which cannot be complied with. The disqualifications arise because of the presence, first, of animals in the growing area, and second, of untreated manure in the growing area. The book of rules does not take into account the fact that manure from cold blooded animals cannot transmit these diseases.<br /><br />In the UK we have the Soil Association, and here we come across a similar contradiction – food cannot be considered organic if it is not grown directly in, and harvested from, the soil. And yet most of us are aware of organic farmers who would not eat their own produce, because of the pesticides they <em>are allowed</em> to use, and which would certainly kill the fish!<br /><br />Is it time to re-evaluate? Well, I guess that’s up to the Soil Association. But I confess to feeling that the current definition of ‘organic’ is out of date and therefore lacks credibility. If you are growing in soil, you can gain organic certification without improving the nutritional value of your produce, depending on how you treat your soil; and of course it does not preclude the possibility that the produce could transmit e-coli. If you are growing aquaponically, you cannot do anything which might damage your fish, and if the fish survive, I reckon I will too!<br /><br />So I feel enthusiastic about the proposed <a href="http://aquaponicsassociation.org/">Aquaponics Association</a> in the USA, whose purpose will be to 'preach the gospel' of aquaponics and perhaps persuade the certification bodies to adjust their criteria. Of course, the US, particularly Hawaii, and Australia, are way ahead of the British in the field of aquaponics - but we must do our best to catch up.timxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07906163084335439894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977591496623652887.post-87893538197598450262011-05-28T21:24:00.004+01:002011-06-16T11:12:45.216+01:00Garlic SprayI looked at my one tomato plant in my greenhouse today, and was surprised and annoyed to see signs of blight - so early in the season, and after so little rain. So I decided to try mixing a <a href="http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/pdfs/international_programme/TNP3-Garlic.pdf">garlic spray</a>. I used most of the very small garlic cloves from last year's harvest, mashed them with a pestle and mortar, and followed the instructions - halving the quantities. I still have over 2 litres of the stuff left, and the recipe says it must be used fresh! Also my house stinks of garlic!<br /><br />Whether it will deal with the blight or not remains to be seen! <br /><br />16th June: <strong>It Works!</strong> After removing a couple of slightly blighted leaves and spraying with the garlic, there have been no further signs of blight! Next question - can the liquid be frozen and keep its fungicidal properties?timxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07906163084335439894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977591496623652887.post-52287564640586869872011-05-18T10:45:00.007+01:002011-05-18T16:57:42.573+01:00Fish Stocking LevelsI have found a lot of very useful information at <a href="http://theaquaponicsource.com/">The Aquaponic Source</a>. In particular, though, I was looking at fish stocking levels, and found an apparent difference between the advice from <a http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifhref="http://aquaponics.net.au/blog/">Murray Hallam</a> and the advice from <a http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifhref="http://theaquaponicsource.com/">Sylvia Bernstein</a>, so I emailed <a href="http://theaquaponicsource.com/">Sylvia</a> to get some clarification. These two ‘aquaponistas’ bridge the gap between Australia and the US, and Sylvia explained that there is no difference in the two sets of advice, one being based on numbers and the other on weight. I watched Hallam’s video (the short version) again and realised that his ‘1 fish per 10 litres’ refers to fingerlings. Problem solved.<br /><br />I have often noted that aquaponics is not a popular practice in UK. In my search for information, I have not found a UK centred aquaponics book. (perhaps Stirling University could look at filling this gap!) What I did find, last time I checked with Amazon UK, was <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Aquaponic-Gardening-Step---Step-Vegetables/dp/086571701X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1305710782&sr=1-1">‘Aquaponic Gardening: A Step-By-Step Guide to Raising Vegetables and Fish Together’ by Sylvia Bernstein</a>, and having browsed her website, <a href="http://theaquaponicsource.com/">The Aquaponic</a> Source, extensively, I realised that this is probably the most useful book I could find on the subject although it is based on US practice. Sylvia was surprised when I told her I had ordered it as it doesn’t come out until October! But I have pre-ordered it and will have to be patient!<br /><br />One reason I have for looking at stocking levels in particular is because I have seen a house where I may end up living, and there is slightly less floor space than I had hoped for. The situation would otherwise be pretty good but I have to work out how to fit in my aquaponics project – hence the calculations! But I am sure it can be done!timxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07906163084335439894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977591496623652887.post-50645624421929305882011-05-11T18:15:00.004+01:002011-05-19T14:55:37.152+01:00UpdateI followed up the rhubarb pesticide question with the <a href="http://www.ecologicagardens.com/#">website</a> where I found the recipe. This was the emailed response:<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />I would imagine that a high enough concentration of rhubarb leaf pesticide in a small volume of water could harm fish but in a garden-pond scenario with a small dose that there would be little risk. However, by avoiding spraying the pesticide into the water itself you will avoid any risk to the fish.</span><br /><a href="http://www.ecologicagardens.com/"><br /> ecologica</a> di Jonathan Radford<br /><br />So I guess that used with care, it should be OK.<br /><br />I have received the brochure and a sample from the <a href="http://www.kedergreenhouse.co.uk/Default.aspx">Keder greenhouse people</a>, CLM. They look like everything I could want, but the prices are high enough to contract the sphincter muscles! I shall have to downsize my expectations – or possibly live in one! But they look fabulous. Exactly what I need.timxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07906163084335439894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977591496623652887.post-2343968948567009162011-05-11T12:18:00.005+01:002011-05-19T14:54:18.895+01:00Pest Control!The issue of pest control in organic gardening becomes even more important when considering aquaponics. Will the pest control used harm the fish? Will it make them inedible? What pests might harm both plants and fish?<br /><br />Apparently snails and birds must both be kept away from the fish, as they may carry parasites which can also attack fish. Does that include slugs I wonder? What if you feed a slug off your lettuce to the fish?<br /><br />I found a DIY aquaponics unit on Youtube where the legs of the grow-bed stand were stood in containers of water to avoid slugs climbing up. It seems to me that it would be wise to prevent access to the unit for slugs and snails, and under cover, birds should not be a problem.<br /><br />There seem to be a number of pesticides which can be made from plant extracts, and the most widely spoken of is <a href="http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/pdfs/international_programme/TNP3-Garlic.pdf">garlic</a>, which is suggested by Murray Hallam in his DVD. Another is <a href="http://www.ecologicalgardens.co.uk/#/rhubarb-pesticide/4532651354">rhubarb leaf</a>, and I am still trying to establish if this is harmful to fish. My new best email friend Charlie, at <a href="http://aquaponics.org.uk/">Aquaponics UK</a>, also mentions elder, and chilli. I quote here his responses to my email query about the use of rhubarb. <br /><br />I also notice frequent mention of soap spray – with the warning that it should be ‘soft soap’, e.g. washing-up liquid, not detergent. This seems to make life difficult for aphids, as well as enabling any pesticide to stay on the leaves.<br /><br />Of course we should never forget that all this produce is to be eaten by US!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">“Hi Tim,<br /><br /> I’m afraid I’m not sure (even though 6 years of my PhD research was focusing on aquatic ecotoxicology or replacements to organophosphate pesticides), i don’t have a scoody doo, I’m afraid.<br />i have made formulations with rhubarb and elder which both worked great, but i have only used them in soil... but I’d be very interested to hear how you get on, please keep my updated...<br /><br />Garlic, and soap sprays are well proven options... and ones we use with good effect, but you make reference to a Keder house, so I’d suggest making sure they don't get in and if they do, then establish a healthy population of beneficials... “<br /><br /><br />“Yes, we've used garlic, chilli, and soap sprays and they have been fine, ultimately it’s a foliar treatment and providing the surface area of your growbeds, if media, is not wet, which it shouldn't be, then any active ingredient should volatilise before it’s an issue.. if indeed it would be in the first place, similarly with rafts.<br />I would think it would be fine, and next time I get a pest issue, I’ll definitely try it... and keep you posted too<br /><br /><br />best wishes<br />Charlie”</span>timxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07906163084335439894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977591496623652887.post-59231593132839465102011-05-09T11:15:00.002+01:002011-05-19T14:52:23.135+01:00Why Aquaponics?While visiting my dear <a href="http://www.ozearth.org/">OzEarth</a> friends in Holland, for the last time before they move home to their land in Tasmania, I was able to watch <a href="http://aquaponics.net.au/blog/">Murray Hallam’s</a> DVD on Aquaponics, and I was hooked! <br /><br />I have been concerned for years at the bizarre fishing policy of the EU, the <a href="http://www.fishfight.net/">wastage</a> of good fish and the shortage of the popular species like cod; and as a fan of fish for food, I have been annoyed to find that I can’t afford to eat fish very often!<br /><br />Another concern of mine, as we lay tied to life’s railway tracks, watching the approaching trains of climate change and peak oil, and wondering which will hit us first, has been the prospect of increasing food scarcity globally and the increase in food costs locally. To that end I have been growing much of my own food for a few years.<br /><br />However, I am now at a turning point. As I become victim of the inevitable physical restrictions of advancing age, I have decided to make some changes. So I shall sell my house, and provide my son with a deposit for his house purchase from the equity. In return he will provide me with some minimal living space – perhaps a static caravan or granny annex – and some garden space. It is my hope that I shall be able to set up a small aquaponics unit, providing vegetables and fish for the family, possibly selling any surplus over the garden gate, and, after a learning period, running one-day courses for other people who might want to do the same.<br /><br />That decision taken, I am now at the research stage (as well as the renovation stage, to bring my house up to saleable standard!) and to that end I start this blog, for my own benefit, to record the stages of my learning process as well as listing useful links on the subject of aquaponics.<br /><br />What has become clear is that in UK this is very much an embryonic discipline. Most home aquaponics practitioners, as well as experts like <a href="http://growingpower.org/">Will Allen</a>, are in the United States. There are a few in Australia, home of the inimitable <a href="http://aquaponics.net.au/blog/">Murray Hallam</a>. There are almost none in UK, with the only link to expert advice I have been able to find being <a href="http://aquaponics.org.uk/">Aquaponics UK in partnership with Stirling University.</a><br /><br />So, not being able to start doing it yet, I have been reading, and trying to get answers to questions: What kind of fish? Where can I get tanks? What type of system should I use? Should it be under cover? Endless questions, which in turn lead to more reading and then more questions.<br /><br />My conclusions so far are these.<br /><br />I would prefer Tilapia, because they grow quickly, they tolerate fluctuations in water quality and they are omnivorous. Carp – don’t fancy them! Barramundi – they eat each other (don’t blame them – they are very tasty)! Trout – they take 18 months to get to plate size. <br /><br />So, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/content/articles/2009/02/24/south_east_tilapia_s15_w7_feature.shtml">Tilapia</a>: on the down side, they are rather prolific breeders (although this can be dealt with in two or three different ways) and they need warm water.<br /><br />Now as far as I am concerned, the warm water can be used as an advantage; this I discovered from The <a href="http://www.fieldtofarm.com/recommended/the-polytunnel-handbook">Polytunnel Handbook</a>. Some people (including Will Allen by the way) use water as a means of stabilising the temperature in a polytunnel. If you have a polytunnel with a tank of warm water, it will dramatically increase the length of the growing season, with some vegetables growing all year round.<br /><br />In Australia you can be fined many thousands of dollars for having a Tilapia alive or dead! In the warm river waters of Australia they overbreed and destroy the river ecology. But in our UK climate, there is no risk of that as they can’t survive below about 20°C and flourish at 24°C. Lettuce grows at an optimum temperature of 22°C.<br /><a href="http://www.fieldtofarm.com/recommended/the-polytunnel-handbook"><br />The Polytunnel Handbook</a> contains many useful hints and tips about types and uses of polytunnels (although aquaponics are not mentioned), and I became aware of the <a href="http://www.kedergreenhouse.co.uk/Default.aspx">Keder greenhouse</a>. This is a very sophisticated and good quality type of polytunnel, using a double skin covering with ‘bubble-wrap’ type insulation between the skins. They are strong and carry a ten year guarantee. They are also expensive, so I shall have to wait to see if I have enough money to indulge myself when I have sold my house!<br /><br />What I would say as a summary at this point is that I am very worried about the future of both the planet and the UK. I don’t think that the politicians have come close to addressing the problems. So I want to start the process of increasing the resilience of my family. Of course, at this stage of the game they are pretty uninterested, and not really worrying, but I hope that as our situation starts to deteriorate seriously, they will see the potential of all this, and take sufficient interest to take over the running of it!timxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07906163084335439894noreply@blogger.com4