Aquaponics Digest - Thu 06/28/01



Message   1: scales
             from "STEVE SPRING" 

Message   2: Re: scales
             from "bennett" 

Message   3: Re: scales
             from "gutierrez-lagatta" 

Message   4: Re: Perlite and fluoride
             from Crighton 

Message   5: Re: Perlite and fluoride
             from "gutierrez-lagatta" 

Message   6: Re: scales
             from "Arlos" 

Message   7: Algae Basics & swimming hole / wetland update
             from Carolyn Hoagland 

Message   8: Re: Algae Basics & swimming hole / wetland update
             from "Arlos" 

Message   9: RE: Fresh Water Mussels
             from "Mark Allen Wells" 

| Message 1  

Subject: scales
From:    "STEVE SPRING" 
Date:    Thu, 28 Jun 2001 00:13:35 -0500

Well Gang,

I've had a real bad day. I won't go into it, but I thought I would check my
email. David offers a solution to my problem for a scale that weighs in
oz's. Then Adrianna and Arlos shoot it down because it is unacceptable. (w/o
offering an alternative solution.)

What does this "damned" government want. I just want a scale that is
acceptable to weigh basil. I mean I'm not selling "crack cocaine"
.I'm
selling basil! GEEZ!

This is "SOCIALLY INSENSITIVE" Steve at his best or
worst
.whichever

Thanks a lot David. I will look into this avenue.

Steve

| Message 2  

Subject: Re: scales
From:    "bennett" 
Date:    Thu, 28 Jun 2001 02:12:05 -0400

>What does this "damned" government want. I just want a scale that is
>acceptable to weigh basil. I mean I'm not selling "crack cocaine"
.I'm
>selling basil! GEEZ!
>
Well, I must not be receiving all my e-mail, 'cause I haven't seen any of
the posts back and forth about scales, but
.In dealing with Farmers Market rules/laws/guidance as issued by the
government, I've found out that you can't use a scale that has springs
inside it to weigh out produce for sale by the ounce or pound.  Those of us
who don't have government approved scales usually sell "by the bunch".  Then
we tell people the "bunch" weighs probably at least x ounces or pounds.
Now, if you get into the whole market "big time" to where the difference of
a couple of ounces is going to effect your bottom line noticably, then you'd
better invest in the proper type of scales.  "Proper" scales, I am told, can
sometimes be purchased from stores quitting business, or used through
equipment supply houses, for a couple of hundred dollars.

| Message 3  

Subject: Re: scales
From:    "gutierrez-lagatta" 
Date:    Thu, 28 Jun 2001 01:34:55 -0500

Excuse ME Steve, it is not my responsibility to do your research for
you.  For all I know you wanted it to measure feed supplements or
something else.

Adriana

> I've had a real bad day. I won't go into it, but I thought I would
check my
> email. David offers a solution to my problem for a scale that weighs
in
> oz's. Then Adrianna and Arlos shoot it down because it is
unacceptable. (w/o
> offering an alternative solution.)

| Message 4  

Subject: Re: Perlite and fluoride
From:    Crighton 
Date:    Thu, 28 Jun 2001 04:14:53 -0700

Does any one find that perlite breaks down (crushes) and plugs small
lines?

LC543119 'at' aol.com wrote:

> Kris, perlite is available in most countries and is cheap,easy to work
> with,
> and is easy to clean in systems, disposing is no problem,acts as
> insulation
> in trays to keep roots cool,gives more time before drying out in a
> power
> failure we find that perlite is just about the best medium at this
> time and
> is replacing rock wool in large commercial operations around the
> world.The
> Perlite Institute has info if you need more  facts there #
> is718-351-5723,
> Gordon Creaser

| Message 5  

Subject: Re: Perlite and fluoride
From:    "gutierrez-lagatta" 
Date:    Thu, 28 Jun 2001 06:54:00 -0500

> Does any one find that perlite breaks down (crushes) and plugs small
> lines?

You should take some preventive measures with perlite, including:

1.  Screens at the drains from the beds
2.  A strainer at your return to the main nutrient tank
3.  A filter/strainer in the inlet to the supply line
4.  A 100 micron (I think) filter in your supply line after the pump

Adriana

| Message 6  

Subject: Re: scales
From:    "Arlos" 
Date:    Thu, 28 Jun 2001 06:46:20 -0700

Steve,

  You never qualified your use for a scale. I'm not sure exactly what
Adriana and I had "shot down". With gas selling for $2.37 a gallon where I
live, I'm glad the metering is certified. If you sold me 1000- 6 oz. basil
in containers by the oz for resale and found out it was only 5 1/2 oz each,
would I be a happy client?. If you have a problem with compliance, you're
not going to remain in business for long. your argument about the "Damned
Gov" reminds me of the some 60+ Water Stores that were busted in the San
Jose, Ca. area for lack of state health services lic.,, test data, etc
 and
for the most part high bacterial counts in water processing equipment.
virtually everyone had the same whining excuse, "the government should have
told me what I needed". Due diligence goes a long way

 Running a business
doesn't mean just growing a nice crop of basil You do have a finger, instead
of saluting Adriana and I with it and call your weights and measurements
agent  who is typically in your county controllers office. Most likely they
have a cut sheet with requirements.
  When clients of mine spec 18.3 mega ohm water for wafer fab you can  bet
the farm I'm going to meet that measurement.  When I have to meter
hydrofluoric acid for etching I'm sure there are techs in the clean room who
are really happy that metering is accurate and calibrated. I could go on but
I hope you get the point.
Arlos
-----Original Message-----
From: STEVE SPRING 
To: aquaponics 'at' townsqr.com 
Date: Wednesday, June 27, 2001 10:15 PM
Subject: scales

>Well Gang,
>
>I've had a real bad day. I won't go into it, but I thought I would check my
>email. David offers a solution to my problem for a scale that weighs in
>oz's. Then Adrianna and Arlos shoot it down because it is unacceptable.
(w/o
>offering an alternative solution.)
>
>What does this "damned" government want. I just want a scale that is
>acceptable to weigh basil. I mean I'm not selling "crack cocaine"
.I'm
>selling basil! GEEZ!
>
>This is "SOCIALLY INSENSITIVE" Steve at his best or
>worst
.whichever

Thanks a lot David. I will look into this avenue.
>
>Steve
>
>
>
>

| Message 7  

Subject: Algae Basics & swimming hole / wetland update
From:    Carolyn Hoagland 
Date:    Thu, 28 Jun 2001 11:39:02 -0500

Hi Folks,

The constructed wetland for our swimming hole is nearly constructed;
the rain stopped, the dirt has been moved, the trench is dug, today I
plan to install the liner and the gravel should arrive shortly.  I've
located plenty of cattails, reeds, etc

After the installation has settled in, most nutrients should be
filtered out of the water. The swimming hole, (and fishponds that are
my next project) are in direct sunlight.  I am planning to grow
duckweed on the surface of the fishponds to reduce algae, but that
really doesn't work too well for the swimming hole.

Anyone want to take a stab at confirming my thoughts on algae control?

Promotes algae:
Sunlight
nutrients in the water
warm temperature
no water changes

Reduces algae:
Darkness
low nutrients
cold water temps 
 (I'm not going for this - I like my swimming water to be 
  princess temperature!)
frequent water changes
(maybe) barley straw
algae eaters 
  (I'd appreciate any specific names of fish, minnows, 
   microorganisms, shellfish, or invertebrates that are 
   native to the N. American Temperate Zone) 

Anything basic I've missed about algae? How does D.O. and PH and
tank/liner color (mine's black) effect its growth?

Thanks in Advance,
Carolyn Hoagland
Sewanee, TN, U.S.A.

| Message 8  

Subject: Re: Algae Basics & swimming hole / wetland update
From:    "Arlos" 
Date:    Thu, 28 Jun 2001 12:33:54 -0700

Carolyn,

  Duckweed will blanket the surface, given enough nutrients. Not real
pleasant stuff to swim in.  a little on the sweet tasting side too.The best
control I've run across for algae control has been the use of Japanese
trapdoor snails. They eat algae, excess fish food and fish waste and tend to
leave plants alone. They are live bearers and don't breed rapidly.
Approximately 6 per sq. foot should keep the algae under control.
  Depending on the liner you are using
. Most seem to prefer EPDM which is
susceptible to UV destruction. My preference is HDPE (at least 40 mil) it
also comes available in a non skid surface. If you've ever walked down a
berm made from a rubber liner you can find your self setting quickly. HDPE
is more resistant to swings of pH than any other polymer I've worked with.
DO levels do not affect it. I've worked with it at a pH of 3.5 with no signs
of damage for a leechate collection on a mine closure.
  I'm kind of curious though about the use of freshwater mussels and clams
for water quality control. Any native to Tenn.?
  Hope this is of some help.

Arlos
-----Original Message-----
From: Carolyn Hoagland 
To: aquaponics 'at' townsqr.com 
Date: Thursday, June 28, 2001 9:40 AM
Subject: Algae Basics & swimming hole / wetland update

>Hi Folks,
>
>The constructed wetland for our swimming hole is nearly constructed;
>the rain stopped, the dirt has been moved, the trench is dug, today I
>plan to install the liner and the gravel should arrive shortly.  I've
>located plenty of cattails, reeds, etc

>
>After the installation has settled in, most nutrients should be
>filtered out of the water. The swimming hole, (and fishponds that are
>my next project) are in direct sunlight.  I am planning to grow
>duckweed on the surface of the fishponds to reduce algae, but that
>really doesn't work too well for the swimming hole.
>
>Anyone want to take a stab at confirming my thoughts on algae control?
>
>Promotes algae:
>Sunlight
>nutrients in the water
>warm temperature
>no water changes
>
>Reduces algae:
>Darkness
>low nutrients
>cold water temps
> (I'm not going for this - I like my swimming water to be
>  princess temperature!)
>frequent water changes
>(maybe) barley straw
>algae eaters
>  (I'd appreciate any specific names of fish, minnows,
>   microorganisms, shellfish, or invertebrates that are
>   native to the N. American Temperate Zone)
>
>Anything basic I've missed about algae? How does D.O. and PH and
>tank/liner color (mine's black) effect its growth?
>
>Thanks in Advance,
>Carolyn Hoagland
>Sewanee, TN, U.S.A.
>

| Message 9  

Subject: RE: Fresh Water Mussels
From:    "Mark Allen Wells" 
Date:    Fri, 29 Jun 2001 00:02:38 -0500

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

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Hello Arlos,

I am not sure of the species but the people at www.livingmachines.com
or www.oceanarks.org may be able to help you. I have always been
fascinated with John Todd's "living machines".

hope this helps,
Mark
  -----Original Message-----
  From: aquaponics-request 'at' townsqr.com
[mailto:aquaponics-request 'at' townsqr.com]On Behalf Of Arlos
  Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2001 12:03 AM
  To: aquaponics 'at' townsqr.com
  Subject: Fresh Water Mussels

  Anyone have any experience using fresh water mussels for water quality
control? If so what species?

  Arlos

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Hello=20 Arlos,
 
I am=20 not sure of the species but the people at www.livingmachines.com<= /SPAN>
or www.oceanarks.org may be able to = help you. I=20 have always been
fascinated with John Todd's "living machines".  =
 
hope=20 this helps,
Mark
-----Original Message-----
From:=20 aquaponics-request 'at' townsqr.com = [mailto:aquaponics-request 'at' townsqr.com]On=20 Behalf Of Arlos
Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2001 12:03=20 AM
To: aquaponics 'at' townsqr.com
Subject: Fresh Water = Mussels

Anyone have any experience using fresh water = mussels for=20 water quality control? If so what species?
 
Arlos
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