Aquaponics Digest - Wed 02/18/98
Message 1: Packaging, Storage, Forklifts, Containers.
from crystal
Message 2: Re: Tilapia in MS, TN, AR?
from MajorDad38@aol.com
Message 3: RE: Fish Weights and Lengths
from crystal
Message 4: RE: Fish Weights and Lengths
from crystal
Message 5: Packaging, Storage, Forklifts, Containers.
from crystal
Message 6: Feed grind/mix
from S & S Aqua Farm
Message 7: Re: Tilapia in MS, TN, AR?
from S & S Aqua Farm
Message 8: Re: Lobsters/Red Claw file
from S & S Aqua Farm
Message 9: Re: Chemicals & Powders
from S & S Aqua Farm
Message 10: RE: Fish Weights and Lengths
from S & S Aqua Farm
Message 11: Re: Outdoors?
from S & S Aqua Farm
Message 12: School system, ratios and tank size calculations
from S & S Aqua Farm
Message 13: Evaporation, Watering & Growth Cycles
from crystal
Message 14: Lobsters again
from Brian Gracia
Message 15: Re: Lobsters again
from S & S Aqua Farm
.------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------.
| Message 1 |
'------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------'
Subject: Packaging, Storage, Forklifts, Containers.
From: crystal
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 1998 14:39:01 -0800
Do note that most manufacturing machinery in the world costs a few tens
of thousands ($X0,000s) upwards. A less popular brand, may cost less,
but servicing may only be available from local dealers. A fully-equiped
plant can house several machinery connected by conveyors belts. A few
operators may be all that is need to operate the various machines. Some
stations can be fed by operators manually loading/unloading at each
stage of the process. As always, the sales of the final goods must
justify which station to in/ex-clude.
Otherwise know as investments capital costs.
Alternatively, different jobs can be contracted (regular basis) or done
on an assignment (batch basis) by external companies.
Consider the max loading capacity of the factory floor esp if you're a
tenant in a factory apartment. It is usu rated in KN/m2. (Divide by ten
for Kg). 2nd hand eqipment are cheaper, but you must find a supplier
that has spare parts OR you must be able to maintain, repair & search
for spare parts yourself.
qqq wrote:
> Any source you know of that sells these (containers) ?
Hopes these helps. :)
I'm not sure what you want the containers for, so I included extras like
forklifts and pallets.
You have to find a storage space for the containers, when not in use.
Unless you own a factory site that has a parking lot , you'll have to
either: [A] reserve a parking lot for this (assuming on a trailer) or
[B] pay a rental fee to storage container company.
Best Regards,
Crystal.
===============
<< GENERAL >>
< Pallets: >
In palletizing, the goods are usu sealed in smaller boxes/cartons,
stacked on a pallet and shrink wrapped with a think heavy-duty plastic
stretch film by a machine (faster) / manually (slower).
Then the pallet is stacked with smaller cartons / cargo and the wraping
machine (palletizer) draws the film from a roll and wraps the whole
contraption.
< Conveyors: >
A simple conveyor belt (bare rollers/rods with mat) may be positioned
beside the palletizing station to move the pallets in/out. The conveyors
may be attached so they form a T-juction, with the palletizer at the
intersection. The 3rd path is from a stack of empty pallets to the
palletizing station. The empty pallets are dispensed from the stack by a
machine that drops them directly onto the rollers. The incoming cartons
from another set of rollers can be collected at a 'holding area', just
before the station. and picked up by robotic arms / manually AND stacked
onto the newly arrive pallet (at the station). Wraping starts when the
robotic arm finishes it job (assuming predetermined carton dimensions) /
when the human operator presses the 'on' switch. Then it is rolled out
into an collection area, where forklifts/stackers/lift trucks collect
them - either to a warehouse/container.
Components: low-profile, modular sections, adjustable angle conveyors,
cleated belt, gravity roller, magnetic & vaccum sections.
Approx cost for a single length conveyor: possibly tens of thousands
($x0,000s) up.
< Forklifts/stacker/lift trucks: >
The forklifts can can carry from 1000-7000 kg. Battery powered models
fr. 1-3 tons, diesel/LPG (liquid petroleum gas) models up to 7 tons. A
stacker / lift truck, is something without the driver's seat. From
approx 1-2 tons. (1000kg=1ton).
< Loading: >
If the cargo is not palletized, then manual labour is required to stack
them in the container. A forklift/stacker/lift ruck can still load them
onto the container, but you have to do it piece-by-piece / stacked the
cartons manually on the forks.
< Fastenings: >
I'm not sure about these. Can somebody help?
< Ramp: >
Sometimes, a metal ramp is used so a small forklift can drive inside the
container. This is fast. Otherwise, the pallet must be manually pushed
way back.
< Loading bay: >
Alternatively, the warehouse may have a 'loading bay' ie the height of
the ground floor (with a clear travel path from the cargo lift) is
constructed to the approx level of a mounted container on a trailer.
A forklift/stacker/lift truck may still be used in such cases - provided
the cargo lift has a carrying capacity exceeding the weight of the
machine and a higher ceiling height.
<< BEGIN ANSWER >>
Check out:
Shipping * DAINA CONTAINER SERVICES
containers: 34 E. Putnam Ave.,
Ste. 10x,
Greenwich, CT 06830,
USA.
email: TEU@danicon.com
Tel: 1-888-326-4266
1-203-622-3100
Fax: 1-203-622-3150
* OSHKOSH TRAILERS INC.
1512 38th Ave. East,
P.O. Box 511,
Bradenton, FL 34206,
USA.
Tel: 1-941-748-3900
Shipping * INSTA-BULK INC.
container 4320 Eastpark Dr,
internal Houston, TX 77028, USA.
lining: Tel: 1-713-673-6100
(for using the Fax: 1-713-673-1949
whole container Plastic liners, ocean container lining systems.
as a bin eg: FREE VIDEO + BROCHURE
flour, powder)
Plastic * ORBIS, DIVISION OF MENASHA CORPORATION
pallets: (Formerly LEWISystems, Convoy Plastic Pallets &
Durapak)
128 Hospital Dr., Watertown, WI 53094, USA.
Tel: 1-414-252-5000
Fax: 1-414-262-5841
ASK FOR THEIR CATALOG(S).
Forklifts: * NEWARK EQUIPMENT SALES CORP.
191, Avenue "P",
Newark,
NJ 07105, USA.
Tel: 1-201-589-4800
Fax: 1-201-589-1683
Backhoes, bulldozers, cranes,
excavators, forklifts.
WORLDWIDE EXPORTING.
Carnes, hoists, * AIR TECHNICAL INDUSTRIES
lifts etc: 7503 Clover Ave.,
Mentor, OH 44060, USA.
Tel: 1-216-951-5191
Fax: 1-216-953-9237
Cranes, hoists, lifts,
industrial trucks, robots,
elevating tables.
ASK FOR THEIR CATALOG.
Silos, baging * INTERNATIONAL MATERIAL CONTROL SYSTEMS
equipment: 510E. 40th St.,
Holland, MI 49423, USA.
Tel: 1-616-355-2800
Fax: 1-616-355-2890
Galvanized coated silos,
stationery & portable inplant bins,
screw conveyors (able to shift and
transport granules), box & drum dumpers
& tilters (for packing more compact),
batch mixers, bag handling equipment.
ASK FOR THEIR CATALOG.
Packaging: * Gas-flushed pouches.
This system consist of a plastic pouch
which is filled with an inert gas (nitrogen &
CO2 mixture) that is dispensed by gas clyinders and
pumps.
Sorry, no contacts. Found at supermarket shelves
in major US cities ie with the food.
USED FOR VEGETABLES.
* Vaccum pouches.
Similiar to gas-flushed pouches, except it is (you
guess it) vaccuum sealed.
Also, no contacts. Found at supermarket shelves
in major US cities ie with the food.
USED FOR SLICED UP MEAT & FISH.
* LIQUI-BOX CORP.
6950 Worthington-Galena Rd.,
Worthington, OH 43085, USA.
Tel: 1-614-888-9280
Fax: 1-614-88-0982
Telex: 24 5430
Plastic packaging, pouches &
Bag-in-box (for storing liquids in
pouches).
* INSTA-FOAM PRODUCTS
1500 Cedarwood Dr.,
Joliet, IL 60435, USA.
Tel: 1-815-741-6800
Fax: 1-815-741-6833
Telex: 72-3415
Polyurethane foam in portable & disposible
pressurized aerosol cans (light duty), drums
and pumps (heavy duty), for insulation & packaging.
Machinery - * WARWICK MANUFACTURING & USED EQUIPMENT
buy, used + 150 E. Main St.,
rebuilt: Bridgeport, CT 06608, USA.
Tel: 1-203-334-5678
Fax: 1-203-334-2147
2nd hand equipment.
.------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------.
| Message 2 |
'------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------'
Subject: Re: Tilapia in MS, TN, AR?
From: MajorDad38@aol.com
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 1998 01:54:14 EST
Jim - If you are interested in growing tilapia, I'd suggest you visit a
commercial operation. In north Mississippi there are several not too far from
you in Hollandale, Leland, Aberdeen and Macon. You can get their addresses
and phone numbers off the Database for Aquatic Species web site at
http://www.aquafind.com/. I'd be interested in hearing how you grind/mix your
own feed.
majordad38@aol.com (Dick Bristol)
.------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------.
| Message 3 |
'------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------'
Subject: RE: Fish Weights and Lengths
From: crystal
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 1998 16:43:25 -0800
"Brock, Alfred L." wrote:
> Crystal, where do you get all this information?
The Encyclopedia Britanica (Children's edition).
These are the sizes for fishes grown in freshwater sea farms or caught
at sea. I was enquiring whether it could be applied to an aquaponics
set-up - as currently I've only notice only 500g fish weights.
Best Regards,
Crystal.
.------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------.
| Message 4 |
'------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------'
Subject: RE: Fish Weights and Lengths
From: crystal
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 1998 19:44:05 -0800
xxx wrote:
> Crystal, where do you get all this information?
The Encyclopedia Britanica (Children's edition).
These are the sizes for fishes grown in freshwater sea farms or caught
at sea. I was enquiring whether it could be applied to an aquaponics
set-up - as currently I've only notice only 500g fish weights.
Best Regards,
Crystal.
.------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------.
| Message 5 |
'------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------'
Subject: Packaging, Storage, Forklifts, Containers.
From: crystal
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 1998 19:49:30 -0800
Do note that most manufacturing machinery in the world costs a few tens
of thousands ($X0,000s) upwards. A less popular brand, may cost less,
but servicing may only be available from local dealers. A fully-equiped
plant can house several machinery connected by conveyors belts. A few
operators may be all that is need to operate the various machines. Some
stations can be fed by operators manually loading/unloading at each
stage of the process. As always, the sales of the final goods must
justify which station to in/ex-clude.
Otherwise know as investments capital costs.
Alternatively, different jobs can be contracted (regular basis) or done
on an assignment (batch basis) by external companies.
Consider the max loading capacity of the factory floor esp if you're a
tenant in a factory apartment. It is usu rated in KN/m2. (Divide by ten
for Kg). 2nd hand eqipment are cheaper, but you must find a supplier
that has spare parts OR you must be able to maintain, repair & search
for spare parts yourself.
qqq wrote:
> Any source you know of that sells these (containers) ?
Hopes these helps. :)
I'm not sure what you want the containers for, so I included extras like
forklifts and pallets.
You have to find a storage space for the containers, when not in use.
Unless you own a factory site that has a parking lot , you'll have to
either: [A] reserve a parking lot for this (assuming on a trailer) or
[B] pay a rental fee to storage container company.
Best Regards,
Crystal.
===============
<< GENERAL >>
< Pallets: >
In palletizing, the goods are usu sealed in smaller boxes/cartons,
stacked on a pallet and shrink wrapped with a think heavy-duty plastic
stretch film by a machine (faster) / manually (slower).
Then the pallet is stacked with smaller cartons / cargo and the wraping
machine (palletizer) draws the film from a roll and wraps the whole
contraption.
< Conveyors: >
A simple conveyor belt (bare rollers/rods with mat) may be positioned
beside the palletizing station to move the pallets in/out. The conveyors
may be attached so they form a T-juction, with the palletizer at the
intersection. The 3rd path is from a stack of empty pallets to the
palletizing station. The empty pallets are dispensed from the stack by a
machine that drops them directly onto the rollers. The incoming cartons
from another set of rollers can be collected at a 'holding area', just
before the station. and picked up by robotic arms / manually AND stacked
onto the newly arrive pallet (at the station). Wraping starts when the
robotic arm finishes it job (assuming predetermined carton dimensions) /
when the human operator presses the 'on' switch. Then it is rolled out
into an collection area, where forklifts/stackers/lift trucks collect
them - either to a warehouse/container.
Components: low-profile, modular sections, adjustable angle conveyors,
cleated belt, gravity roller, magnetic & vaccum sections.
Approx cost for a single length conveyor: possibly tens of thousands
($x0,000s) up.
< Forklifts/stacker/lift trucks: >
The forklifts can can carry from 1000-7000 kg. Battery powered models
fr. 1-3 tons, diesel/LPG (liquid petroleum gas) models up to 7 tons. A
stacker / lift truck, is something without the driver's seat. From
approx 1-2 tons. (1000kg=1ton).
< Loading: >
If the cargo is not palletized, then manual labour is required to stack
them in the container. A forklift/stacker/lift ruck can still load them
onto the container, but you have to do it piece-by-piece / stacked the
cartons manually on the forks.
< Fastenings: >
I'm not sure about these. Can somebody help?
< Ramp: >
Sometimes, a metal ramp is used so a small forklift can drive inside the
container. This is fast. Otherwise, the pallet must be manually pushed
way back.
< Loading bay: >
Alternatively, the warehouse may have a 'loading bay' ie the height of
the ground floor (with a clear travel path from the cargo lift) is
constructed to the approx level of a mounted container on a trailer.
A forklift/stacker/lift truck may still be used in such cases - provided
the cargo lift has a carrying capacity exceeding the weight of the
machine and a higher ceiling height.
<< BEGIN ANSWER >>
Check out:
Shipping * DAINA CONTAINER SERVICES
containers: 34 E. Putnam Ave.,
Ste. 10x,
Greenwich, CT 06830,
USA.
email: TEU@danicon.com
Tel: 1-888-326-4266
1-203-622-3100
Fax: 1-203-622-3150
* OSHKOSH TRAILERS INC.
1512 38th Ave. East,
P.O. Box 511,
Bradenton, FL 34206,
USA.
Tel: 1-941-748-3900
Shipping * INSTA-BULK INC.
container 4320 Eastpark Dr,
internal Houston, TX 77028, USA.
lining: Tel: 1-713-673-6100
(for using the Fax: 1-713-673-1949
whole container Plastic liners, ocean container lining systems.
as a bin eg: FREE VIDEO + BROCHURE
flour, powder)
Plastic * ORBIS, DIVISION OF MENASHA CORPORATION
pallets: (Formerly LEWISystems, Convoy Plastic Pallets &
Durapak)
128 Hospital Dr., Watertown, WI 53094, USA.
Tel: 1-414-252-5000
Fax: 1-414-262-5841
ASK FOR THEIR CATALOG(S).
Forklifts: * NEWARK EQUIPMENT SALES CORP.
191, Avenue "P",
Newark,
NJ 07105, USA.
Tel: 1-201-589-4800
Fax: 1-201-589-1683
Backhoes, bulldozers, cranes,
excavators, forklifts.
WORLDWIDE EXPORTING.
Carnes, hoists, * AIR TECHNICAL INDUSTRIES
lifts etc: 7503 Clover Ave.,
Mentor, OH 44060, USA.
Tel: 1-216-951-5191
Fax: 1-216-953-9237
Cranes, hoists, lifts,
industrial trucks, robots,
elevating tables.
ASK FOR THEIR CATALOG.
Silos, baging * INTERNATIONAL MATERIAL CONTROL SYSTEMS
equipment: 510E. 40th St.,
Holland, MI 49423, USA.
Tel: 1-616-355-2800
Fax: 1-616-355-2890
Galvanized coated silos,
stationery & portable inplant bins,
screw conveyors (able to shift and
transport granules), box & drum dumpers
& tilters (for packing more compact),
batch mixers, bag handling equipment.
ASK FOR THEIR CATALOG.
Packaging: * Gas-flushed pouches.
This system consist of a plastic pouch
which is filled with an inert gas (nitrogen &
CO2 mixture) that is dispensed by gas clyinders and
pumps.
Sorry, no contacts. Found at supermarket shelves
in major US cities ie with the food.
USED FOR VEGETABLES.
* Vaccum pouches.
Similiar to gas-flushed pouches, except it is (you
guess it) vaccuum sealed.
Also, no contacts. Found at supermarket shelves
in major US cities ie with the food.
USED FOR SLICED UP MEAT & FISH.
* LIQUI-BOX CORP.
6950 Worthington-Galena Rd.,
Worthington, OH 43085, USA.
Tel: 1-614-888-9280
Fax: 1-614-88-0982
Telex: 24 5430
Plastic packaging, pouches &
Bag-in-box (for storing liquids in
pouches).
* INSTA-FOAM PRODUCTS
1500 Cedarwood Dr.,
Joliet, IL 60435, USA.
Tel: 1-815-741-6800
Fax: 1-815-741-6833
Telex: 72-3415
Polyurethane foam in portable & disposible
pressurized aerosol cans (light duty), drums
and pumps (heavy duty), for insulation & packaging.
Machinery - * WARWICK MANUFACTURING & USED EQUIPMENT
buy, used + 150 E. Main St.,
rebuilt: Bridgeport, CT 06608, USA.
Tel: 1-203-334-5678
Fax: 1-203-334-2147
2nd hand equipment.
.------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------.
| Message 6 |
'------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------'
Subject: Feed grind/mix
From: S & S Aqua Farm
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 1998 08:23:07 -0600
At 01:54 AM 2/18/98 EST, Dick Bristol wrote to Jim S:
I'd be interested in hearing how you grind/mix your
>own feed.
>majordad38@aol.com (Dick Bristol)
We'd all be interested in your current process, Jim, and hope you can find
time to post something to the list.
Regarding earlier opinions of suggested ration mixes/feeding practices, I'd
be happy to send you a copy of the file I've maintained on this
correspondence. (Sorry, still no available archive on the web)
Paula
S&S Aqua Farm, 8386 County Road 8820, West Plains, MO 65775 417-256-5124
Web page http://www.townsqr.com/snsaqua/
.------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------.
| Message 7 |
'------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------'
Subject: Re: Tilapia in MS, TN, AR?
From: S & S Aqua Farm
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 1998 08:26:43 -0600
At 12:40 AM 2/16/98 -0600, Jim S wrote:
>Anyone else on the list in N.Mississippi or similar region?
> I'm thinking about tank raising Tilapia using an aquaponic system and
>would like some local experience info.
> I'm working with our county agent now and he thinks Memphis would be a
>good market for live tilapia. He's very agressive about helping the
>truckfarmers around here, but doesn't know much about tilapia yet.
Jim, don't know if anyone close to you from this list is raising on the
scale (30 acres catfish) you describe. Jack Robinson in Petal, MS is the
only commercial producer we've personally had contact with in that area. I
think, though, that he's at the southern end of the state. Quite a
character, but tons of experience. Might be worth a call/visit. I'm
certain he could assist both you and your ext. agent in coming current on
tilapia raising/market conditions, etc.
Paula
S&S Aqua Farm, 8386 County Road 8820, West Plains, MO 65775 417-256-5124
Web page http://www.townsqr.com/snsaqua/
.------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------.
| Message 8 |
'------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------'
Subject: Re: Lobsters/Red Claw file
From: S & S Aqua Farm
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 1998 08:52:50 -0600
At 09:14 PM 2/17/98 -0600, Brian Gracia wrote:
>Hello,
>
>I am new to this list. I would like to start raising lobsters. I live
>Louisiana where the weather is warm.
>
>I had thought about raising rock or spiny lobsters. Any info would be
>welcome.
Brian - I hope that you receive some answers from the list about lobsters.
Todate our conversations regarding "critters" of this type have been about
Red Claw freshwater crayfish. I'd post the older messages if you're
interested. If there's renewed inter on the list, I could repost to the group.
Paula Speraneo
S&S Aqua Farm, 8386 County Road 8820, West Plains, MO 65775 417-256-5124
Web page http://www.townsqr.com/snsaqua/
.------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------.
| Message 9 |
'------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------'
Subject: Re: Chemicals & Powders
From: S & S Aqua Farm
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 1998 09:10:31 -0600
At 02:11 PM 2/17/98 -0800, Crystal wrote:
>xxx wrote:
>> Does any body know,what is chemical nutrient ingeredients,their portion
>> and its production process.
>
>I'm interested too. The differences between chemical and powder
>production and what equipment are needed. More likely similiar to
>industrial chemical production, but in smaller quantities - perhaps in
>cylindrical storage tanks connected by pipes to mixers and all.
>
Anyone on this list using chemical/powder additions to their aquaponics
system? If so, what and why? Is there a need to produce your own supply?
Paula Speraneo
S&S Aqua Farm, 8386 County Road 8820, West Plains, MO 65775 417-256-5124
Web page http://www.townsqr.com/snsaqua/
.------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------.
| Message 10 |
'------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------'
Subject: RE: Fish Weights and Lengths
From: S & S Aqua Farm
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 1998 09:47:36 -0600
At 07:44 PM 2/18/98 -0800, Crystal wrote:
>These are the sizes for fishes grown in freshwater sea farms or caught
>at sea. I was enquiring whether it could be applied to an aquaponics
>set-up - as currently I've only notice only 500g fish weights.
Crystal - don't know about others set-ups, but we grow to "standard" market
size - generally accepted at 1 to 1-1/2 lbs (although some go at 3/4 lb.).
In an earlier post you stated:
"Most fish is farmed in fresh water, then they are transferred to seawater
after a certain length."
What fish specifically are you discussing here?
Paula
PS: When I hit reply to your messages, I note they only go to your address.
If you have topics to discuss with the entire list, there should be a way in
your mail program to set the "reply to" so that all these messages aren't
sent just to you. Perhaps that's why some of your posts seem disjointed.
S&S Aqua Farm, 8386 County Road 8820, West Plains, MO 65775 417-256-5124
Web page http://www.townsqr.com/snsaqua/
.------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------.
| Message 11 |
'------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------'
Subject: Re: Outdoors?
From: S & S Aqua Farm
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 1998 10:20:03 -0600
At 06:26 PM 2/17/98 +0000, Donna Fezler wrote:
> Can the systems be started outdoors, without shelter, in the spring in the
>midwest?
Lots of variables here, Donna. Physically, yes. What crops did you think
to raise, in what kind of system? Will you raise your fish in tanks or
ponds or __? In Missouri only confined raising of Tilapia is allowed. What
fish have you considered? Is insect control a primary goal for you? By
what methods?
If you could be a little more specific about your plans/intended system, it
would be easier to address the various subjects.
> Does rain disrupt the system?
Rain would disrupt a recirculating system. Fairly careful balancing is done
with water quantity relating to the grow beds in our system. Additional
water, say from a heavy rain, would definitely give you some extra chores
unless you have a back-up overflow method.
Dr. Rakocy, I believe, has some outdoor systems and can probably give us
some advise. Perhaps he is attending/presenting at WAS and can help us when
he returns.
Paula
S&S Aqua Farm, 8386 County Road 8820, West Plains, MO 65775 417-256-5124
Web page http://www.townsqr.com/snsaqua/
.------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------.
| Message 12 |
'------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------'
Subject: School system, ratios and tank size calculations
From: S & S Aqua Farm
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 1998 10:36:34 -0600
At 08:09 AM 2/17/98 -0500, Devon Williams wrote:
>I am a Technology Education instructor in Georgia, and I am fairly new to
>this whole idea of aquaponics. I am trying to get funding from my school
>administration to begin a small classroom system. One of the things I am
>unsure of is some of the minimums needed for beginning a small system. So,
>I pose these questions to anyone who is working on a small scale:
>
> 1. I was thinking about beginning with a growing area approximately
>4' x 6' (or maybe 8'). Is this too small, or not worth the effort?
4'x8' should be sufficient for a "classroom" experimental unit.
> 2. If the above is an o.k. size, what size should the fish tank be?
>Is there an equation that I could use to figure it out????
We consider the most efficient ratio to be 1 cu. ft. of water for every 2
cu. ft. of growbed.
Calculating the tank size depends on its shape. Following are calculation
formulas for circular and rectangular tanks.
For circular tanks V=3.14 x radius squared x height
Example (7-1/2' x 4' deep)
3.14 x (3.75x3.75) x 4
3.14 x 14.0625 x 4 = 176.625 cubic feet
For rectangular tanks Volume equals length times width times height (V=lwh)
That figure times 7.48 gallons equals your total water capacity.
Paula
S&S Aqua Farm, 8386 County Road 8820, West Plains, MO 65775 417-256-5124
Web page http://www.townsqr.com/snsaqua/
.------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------.
| Message 13 |
'------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------'
Subject: Evaporation, Watering & Growth Cycles
From: crystal
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 1998 00:04:55 -0800
Bill Powers wrote:
> In order to minimize water usage it would seem that hydroponics
> facilities would have to be fully enclosed with considerable efforts
> dedicated to the condensation and redistribution of water.
Evaporation:
In soil, water is absorbed by both soil and roots. Not all is taken up
by the roots. The rest is loss through evaporation and possibly water
tables.
Evaporation vs Growth Cycles:
A solution, left in open air will evaporate, BUT nutrients mix and
lights can shorten growth cycles. You see, hydroponics achieves the
greater yields due MAINLY from FASTER GROWTH CYCLES. That is the whole
basis of the technology.
In hydroponics, the water is continously re-circulating, this brings
more oxygen to the roots AND the entire root is soaked in the nutrient
solution 24 hours - compared to soil.
Now if a similiar plant is placed in a open-air container, there would
be indeed the usual rate of evaporation. However, due to the fact, that
this is a soiless medium, the plant does not frequent watering (ie the
soil does not absorb water, eg: as in the field OR flows away, eg: in a
pot). What we are seeing is similiar to flowers placed in a vase of
water, that hardly needs changing - compare that to a plot of land where
water must be added regularly.
Enclosure:
And indeed, in a true hydroponics setting, the nutrient solution is
flowing within enclosed re-circulating gulleys and/or inside a
greenhouse.
In aeroponics, the mist CAN be re-collected by plastic sheets above the
ground, and sent back into the system. Nevertheless, aeroponics has one
of the fastest growth cycle because the roots are directly sprayed with
nutrients ie the speed of the spray is faster than the speed of a
re-circulating solution.
Bill Powers wrote:
> What are the long term costs of such equipment? Nutrient and mineral
> accumulation could have serious long term effects upon such equipment.
The significant cost may be pumps wearing out and/or replacement bulbs
for the lights. There is no clogging (it is soiless) - the solution is
100% liquid. There may be wastes from beneficial insects (if these are
used), instead of a pesticide. But I do not think they come even close
to sizes of small birds/mammals. The pipes and gulleys may need
scrubbing if needed. Meters may need to be replaced.
Best Regards,
Crystal.
.------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------.
| Message 14 |
'------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------'
Subject: Lobsters again
From: Brian Gracia
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 1998 18:19:37 -0600
Does anyone know where I can get theses critters from?
.------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------.
| Message 15 |
'------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------'
Subject: Re: Lobsters again
From: S & S Aqua Farm
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 1998 18:49:57 -0600
At 06:19 PM 2/18/98 -0600, Brian Gracia wrote:
>Does anyone know where I can get theses critters from?
>
>Hello,
-----------------------------------------
Brian, you first posted:
I am new to this list. I would like to start raising lobsters. I live
Louisiana where the weather is warm.
I had thought about raising rock or spiny lobsters. Any info would be
welcome.
Brian
-----------------------------
Then I responded:
Brian - I hope that you receive some answers from the list about lobsters.
Todate our conversations regarding "critters" of this type have been about
Red Claw freshwater crayfish. I'd post the older messages if you're
interested. If there's renewed interest on the list, I could repost to the
group.
Paula
------------------------------
Which critters are you referring to - still lobsters (rock or spiny), or are
you interested in the sources and comments regarding Red Claw crayfish?
Paula
S&S Aqua Farm, 8386 County Road 8820, West Plains, MO 65775 417-256-5124
Web page http://www.townsqr.com/snsaqua/
|
