Aquaponics Diy Air Pump

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Kamis, 12 Mei 2016

How I washed My IBC tote for Aquaponics

   I had washed my tote out the first time, but it was quick wash and rince but no hot water.
I work a lot and didnt take the time. That was a very big mistake. There seem to be a reidue left I think because I had a smell to it and my water stayed cloudy.   It is important to use hot water. I now use a propane cooker to boil water .
   Also I did not know what was in the tote previously. Just because someone says its food grade doesnt mean they know for sure. Lets just say it did not smell like apple sauce. lol.
   HArd lessons learned are always the best lesssons.
   I now have other fish tanks and raft systems made from these totes. Washed them VERY well.

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Jumat, 18 Maret 2016

System Setup

This blog will document the setup, failures and successes of my home aquaponics system. I had to search a lot to find details on how to set the systems up, so I hope this will help others decide how to configure their systems.

Location - Were just outside Colorado Springs, CO. Our elevation is about 7000 feet above sea level, and temperatures can be bitter cold during the winter months, so this will be an indoor project. Ive set it up in the dog room downstairs in our basement. Our house is an older split level, so this room sits at ground level. Ive set it up next to a window in order to get as much sunlight as possible.
Grow beds - The grow beds consist of two 60-gallon ponds that I got at Home Depot. I think I paid about $30-40 for each pond.
Media - Im using pea gravel as media. We had a big pile of gravel out back, so I sifted (to get the smaller gravel) and rinsed it and carried it in one bucket at a time. Took a while, but that was pretty much free.
Fish tank - The fish tank is a 150-gallon Rubbermaid stock tank that we found on Craigslist for $60. The guy I bought it from had used it as a pond, so search for "pond" if you cant find anything under "stock tank." If you cant find one on Craigslist and you have to buy one new, check out Ace hardwares website. They have reasonable prices - I think about $120-160 for 150 gallons. Note that youll want to use a rubber/plastic container for your fish, not metal. You dont want the metal rusting or leaching into the water.
Fish - I will be raising rainbow trout in the tank once the water is ready and I get a chance to drive up to Fort Collins to buy them. Liley Fisheries in Fort Collins, CO will sell small quantities of fish to individuals. So far, Ive only communicated with them via e-mail, but they are very helpful and respond quickly to e-mail. I think they said the fingerlings are about 50 cents each. Tilapia are recommended for beginners, but Ive chosen trout because it gets pretty cold in the dog room in the winter, and I dont want to heat 150 gallons of water.

I will post details on the setup and configuration in future blogs. Heres a picture of the system the first day I started pumping water (20 August 2011)

Selasa, 15 Maret 2016

Green onions and Leeks for aquaponics

Who doesnt like the onion class of vegetables?

I first tried some cuts of green onions. It was soooo simple. I used the tops in what ever I was cooking that night and then I placed the bottom of the bulbs in a net pot with expanded clay and within the next day I seen growth. You amazingly cut the same green onions every 2 to 3 weeks. And even sooner if you like the small ones. The only problem that I have is they grow so quick and absorb the water also if you dont cut them in a reasonable time they will fall over. The green onions get very big around. I usually juct cut a few bunches when I harvest and what I dont use I cut and freeze.

   Then I tried the leeks the same way. And yes I know usually folks want the white part of the leeks.
Well maybe so, but try some of the green part diced up like a regular onion and you will see its a gold mine. Just cut what you want when you want. And they grow very fast too. I have bags full in my freezer so that when I need a lil onion, this is what I use. Does well in a dip too. Growing Leeks in Aquaponics is definitely one of my top to grow.

   And After doing an experiment with chives, Growing chives in aquaponics works pretty good too. They take a lil extra room, because they spread out, and if having the choice I prefer the net pots over the grow grips. The chives dont seem to get as wet on the bottom in the et pots. But all in all thay produce very well and after cutting it all back to put in freezer. I would say within just a couple weeks maybe 3 they are ready to harvest again.

     Growing all these onions is such a great addition to your basic lettuce and basil plants. And they are hardy in most temps. They do like a lot of light but if not they just stay a smaller version longer.

Give them a try. I think you will like it.

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