Aquaponics Digest - Sat 09/15/01



Message   1: Re: plant beds and fish
             from "Robert Rogers" 

Message   2: Moving on 2 years down the road
             from "Brent Bingham" 

Message   3: Re: Moving on 2 years down the road
             from Mick 

Message   4: Re: Moving on 2 years down the road
             from Mick 

Message   5: Re: Moving on 2 years down the road
             from "Lloyd R. Prentice" 

Message   6: Re: Moving on  down the road
             from "Gene Batten" 

Message   7: Re: Moving on 2 years down the road
             from "Brent Bingham" 

Message   8: Re: Terrorism AN ANSWER TO JIM FROM BRENT (the last)
             from "KenHale" 

Message   9: Re: Moving on 2 years down the road
             from BMac1978

Message  10: Re: Moving on 2 years down the road
             from Mick 

Message  11: Re: More juice
             from kris book 

Message  12: Aquaponics Course, Bryson City, NC Nov 6-9,2001
             from Bertmcl

Message  13: Re: More juice
             from "bennett" 

| Message 1                                                           
Subject: Re: plant beds and fish
From:    "Robert Rogers" 
Date:    Sat, 15 Sep 2001 09:25:41 -0400

          Leslie; wrote

> The rule of thumb is that the surface area of the bog garden should equal
> that surface area of the pond being filtered.  Flow rate should be about 2
> hours per cycle.  Gravel bed depth should be 30-40cm and gravel size
roughly
> 10mm.
>
> Have fun,
>                 Leslie

           Would  there be any ill effects if the water was to be pumped
constantly, as long as the bed is sloped so there will be no stagnate areas?
Ill effects meaning problems with the bacteria culture etc.

> >       I have been ask by a friend to design and install a plant bed to
> > filter the water in a goldfish pond. The  plants will be ornamental
> marginal
> > plants, any ideas on what the square/cubic footage should be. The pond
is
> > about 1000 gal.
Bob
> >
> >
>

| Message 2                                                           
Subject: Moving on 2 years down the road
From:    "Brent Bingham" 
Date:    Sat, 15 Sep 2001 09:01:01 -0700

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

=_NextPart_000_0058_01C13DC4.F137B9D0
Content-Type: text/plain;
        charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

If we were told we had 2 years to prepare to use 60 to 70 % less energy =
from our current sources could we do it? Some of us never heat some =
never cool. Some of us use city water. Some cities won't let us now and =
others may stop us later. In the west some areas ration the water in the =
summer. Last year gas costs doubled in some areas.

Many on the list already have contingency plans for power outages. Some =
are just now starting to think of "alternate energy" as an option.  Most =
think the events of this week are a fluke never to happen in the US =
agene. Some live in areas of the world where problems are common.

Perhaps we may all benefit by helping each other develop better was to =
operate more efficiently. Some have; wood, running water, ponds, wind, =
or only sun light. Some only have there basements. Could we start a pool =
of knowledge everyone around the world can add too and tap into, for the =
common good. Possibly we could all agree on this as a way to help in our =
own small way.=20

I have visited off list with vary many about this, perhaps every one =
would like to pitch in. We in our power node on the grid have already =
been given the word on our  power  shortages. Now gas is growing to be a =
problem. Water has been a problem for as long as I can remember.=20

I am told the ostrich avoids his problems by putting his head in a hole. =
My sources tell me most of us have our heads up a hole but we can do =
something else. Can we start today to set some direction to our efforts  =
and make a difference in the world?=20
Brent

=_NextPart_000_0058_01C13DC4.F137B9D0
Content-Type: text/html;
        charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable








If we were told we had 2 years to = prepare to use 60=20 to 70 % less energy from our current sources could we do it? Some of us = never=20 heat some never cool. Some of us use city water. Some cities won't let = us now=20 and others may stop us later. In the west some areas ration the water in = the=20 summer. Last year gas costs doubled in some areas.
 
Many on the list already have = contingency plans for=20 power outages. Some are just now starting to think of "alternate energy" = as an=20 option.  Most think the events of this week are a fluke never to = happen in=20 the US agene. Some live in areas of the world where problems are=20 common.
 
Perhaps we may all benefit by helping = each other=20 develop better was to operate more efficiently. Some have; wood, running = water,=20 ponds, wind, or only sun light. Some only have there basements. Could we = start a=20 pool of knowledge everyone around the world can add too and tap into, = for the=20 common good. Possibly we could all agree on this as a way to help in our = own=20 small way.
 
I have visited off list with vary many = about this,=20 perhaps every one would like to pitch in. We in our power node on the = grid have=20 already been given the word on our  power  shortages. Now gas = is=20 growing to be a problem. Water has been a problem for as long as I can = remember.=20
 
I am told the ostrich avoids his = problems by=20 putting his head in a hole. My sources tell me most of us have our heads = up a=20 hole but we can do something else. Can we start today to set some = direction to=20 our efforts  and make a difference in the world?
Brent
=_NextPart_000_0058_01C13DC4.F137B9D0-- | Message 3 Subject: Re: Moving on 2 years down the road From: Mick Date: Sat, 15 Sep 2001 11:42:16 -0500 Brent Bingham wrote: > If we were told we had 2 years to prepare to use 60 to 70 % less > energy from our current sources could we do it? > > Being prepared is not the same as being afraid. I agree that plans > for being self sufficient are a great idea. > > I have a couple of practical questions: > > Can I boil water from my swimming pool to make it safe to drink? > Will boiling take care of any pathogens? > > I could do without electricity with one exception. How do I keep the > fish alive in the tanks? Currently, we don't have the funds to run > the filter pump with solar. Would a greatly reduced population in the > tanks allow them to live? . say, 1/4 the number one would usually > run in a self-contained system? > > Is propane gas primarily supplied domestically? > > I have more questions if you guys wanna talk about this. > > Mick | Message 4 Subject: Re: Moving on 2 years down the road From: Mick Date: Sat, 15 Sep 2001 11:46:49 -0500 I quoted one sentence from Brent's message but the post came out looking like it was all a quote. Dadgum computers anyway! Sorry I botched it. Mick | Message 5 Subject: Re: Moving on 2 years down the road From: "Lloyd R. Prentice" Date: Sat, 15 Sep 2001 12:53:16 -0400 --0F0D11B6EB42E4311D141EBF Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Sounds like a wise course to me, Brent. Over dependence upon oil is definitely a factor in Tuesday's attrocity. Best wishes, Lloyd R. Prentice Brent Bingham wrote: > I am told the ostrich avoids his problems by putting his head in a > hole. My sources tell me most of us have our heads up a hole but we > can do something else. Can we start today to set some direction to our > efforts and make a difference in the world? --0F0D11B6EB42E4311D141EBF Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Sounds like a wise course to me, Brent. Over dependence upon oil is definitely a factor in Tuesday's attrocity.

Best wishes,

Lloyd R. Prentice

Brent Bingham wrote:

I am told the ostrich avoids his problems by putting his head in a hole. My sources tell me most of us have our heads up a hole but we can do something else. Can we start today to set some direction to our efforts  and make a difference in the world?
--0F0D11B6EB42E4311D141EBF-- | Message 6 Subject: Re: Moving on down the road From: "Gene Batten" Date: Sat, 15 Sep 2001 13:44:41 -0400 This is a multi-part message in MIME format. =_NextPart_000_0022_01C13DEC.923E09C0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Brent, Your comments below are timely and well said. Given the recent tragic = events, I too have been thinking along the same lines. Who knows how all = this will play out over the next several years. I fear that we have only = experienced the "beginning" and that there is more to come all around = the world. It is only a matter of time before some desperate group uses = chemical and biological means as an instrument of terror. If such = weapons were directed at anyone's food and water supplies, it could = cause wide spread havoc.=20 To the extent that I understand the science of "aquaponics", I believe = that if offers us a means to develop safe, sustainable, scalable and = relatively reliable methods of food production.=20 I urge all members of this list to openly and freely share their = knowledge and experience of aquaponics. Many of us, like myself, are = just beginning to learn about this technology. While there is much = information available from various sources, some for free and some for = sale, I have not yet found a really good web site that shows, in detail, = how to set up and manage an aquaponics system. Perhaps we could get one = started, or at least provide a list of links to existing sites. =20 In this part of the country, we have an old saying: "there are many ways = to skin a cat". I think that there probably are many ways to build an = aquaponics system depending upon size, location, available resources, = etc. This is the type of info that needs to be shared so that people in = all types of places and conditions can see how a system might be built = using the resources available to them.=20 .Gene Batten Raleigh, North Carolina, USA ----- Original Message -----=20 From: Brent Bingham=20 To: aquaponics 'at' townsqr.com=20 Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2001 12:01 PM Subject: Moving on 2 years down the road If we were told we had 2 years to prepare to use 60 to 70 % less = energy from our current sources could we do it? Some of us never heat = some never cool. Some of us use city water. Some cities won't let us now = and others may stop us later. In the west some areas ration the water in = the summer. Last year gas costs doubled in some areas. Many on the list already have contingency plans for power outages. = Some are just now starting to think of "alternate energy" as an option. = Most think the events of this week are a fluke never to happen in the US = agene. Some live in areas of the world where problems are common. Perhaps we may all benefit by helping each other develop better was to = operate more efficiently. Some have; wood, running water, ponds, wind, = or only sun light. Some only have there basements. Could we start a pool = of knowledge everyone around the world can add too and tap into, for the = common good. Possibly we could all agree on this as a way to help in our = own small way.=20 I have visited off list with vary many about this, perhaps every one = would like to pitch in. We in our power node on the grid have already = been given the word on our power shortages. Now gas is growing to be a = problem. Water has been a problem for as long as I can remember.=20 I am told the ostrich avoids his problems by putting his head in a = hole. My sources tell me most of us have our heads up a hole but we can = do something else. Can we start today to set some direction to our = efforts and make a difference in the world?=20 Brent =_NextPart_000_0022_01C13DEC.923E09C0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Brent,
 
Your comments below are timely and well = said. Given=20 the recent tragic events, I too have been thinking along the same lines. = Who=20 knows how all this will play out over the next several years. I fear = that we=20 have only experienced the "beginning" and that there is more to come all = around=20 the world. It is only a matter of time before some desperate group uses = chemical=20 and biological means as an instrument of terror. If such weapons were = directed=20 at anyone's food and water supplies, it could cause wide spread = havoc.=20
 
To the extent that I understand the = science of=20 "aquaponics", I believe that if offers us a means to develop safe, = sustainable,=20 scalable and relatively reliable methods of food production. =
 
I urge all members of this list to = openly and=20 freely share their knowledge and experience of = aquaponics. Many of us,=20 like myself, are just beginning to learn about this technology. = While there=20 is much information available from various sources, some for free and = some for=20 sale, I have not yet found a really good web site that shows, = in=20 detail, how to set up and manage an aquaponics system. Perhaps we = could get=20 one started, or at least provide a list of links to existing sites. =  
 
In this part of the country, we have an = old saying:=20 "there are many ways to skin a cat". I think that there probably are = many ways=20 to build an aquaponics system depending upon size, location, available=20 resources, etc. This is the type of info that needs to be shared so that = people=20 in all types of places and conditions can see how a system might be = built using=20 the resources available to them.
 
.Gene Batten
Raleigh, North Carolina, = USA
 
----- Original Message -----
From:=20 Brent = Bingham=20
Sent: Saturday, September 15, = 2001 12:01=20 PM
Subject: Moving on 2 years down = the=20 road

If we were told we had 2 years to = prepare to use=20 60 to 70 % less energy from our current sources could we do it? Some = of us=20 never heat some never cool. Some of us use city water. Some cities = won't let=20 us now and others may stop us later. In the west some areas ration the = water=20 in the summer. Last year gas costs doubled in some areas.
 
Many on the list already have = contingency plans=20 for power outages. Some are just now starting to think of "alternate = energy"=20 as an option.  Most think the events of this week are a fluke = never to=20 happen in the US agene. Some live in areas of the world where problems = are=20 common.
 
Perhaps we may all benefit by helping = each other=20 develop better was to operate more efficiently. Some have; wood, = running=20 water, ponds, wind, or only sun light. Some only have there basements. = Could=20 we start a pool of knowledge everyone around the world can add too and = tap=20 into, for the common good. Possibly we could all agree on this as a = way to=20 help in our own small way.
 
I have visited off list with vary = many about=20 this, perhaps every one would like to pitch in. We in our power node = on the=20 grid have already been given the word on our  power  = shortages. Now=20 gas is growing to be a problem. Water has been a problem for as long = as I can=20 remember.
 
I am told the ostrich avoids his = problems by=20 putting his head in a hole. My sources tell me most of us have our = heads up a=20 hole but we can do something else. Can we start today to set some = direction to=20 our efforts  and make a difference in the world?
Brent
=_NextPart_000_0022_01C13DEC.923E09C0-- | Message 7 Subject: Re: Moving on 2 years down the road From: "Brent Bingham" Date: Sat, 15 Sep 2001 14:38:25 -0700 Yes to the first question and a qualified no to the second. Pipe line gas is normally methane but towns like Page, AZ have propane in there gas lines. Bottled gas is propane or butane but usually a mix, it they can get away with it. We paid for propane for years but were delivered butane, out at the Graham ranch until we found out. You can construct a wind powered water or air pump from used parts. How many gallons do you pump? We are moving stock got to run, they ran out of water! Brent ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mick" Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2001 9:42 AM Subject: Re: Moving on 2 years down the road > > > Brent Bingham wrote: > > > If we were told we had 2 years to prepare to use 60 to 70 % less > > energy from our current sources could we do it? > > > > Being prepared is not the same as being afraid. I agree that plans > > for being self sufficient are a great idea. > > > > I have a couple of practical questions: > > > > Can I boil water from my swimming pool to make it safe to drink? > > Will boiling take care of any pathogens? > > > > I could do without electricity with one exception. How do I keep the > > fish alive in the tanks? Currently, we don't have the funds to run > > the filter pump with solar. Would a greatly reduced population in the > > tanks allow them to live? . say, 1/4 the number one would usually > > run in a self-contained system? > > > > Is propane gas primarily supplied domestically? > > > > I have more questions if you guys wanna talk about this. > > > > Mick > > > > | Message 8 Subject: Re: Terrorism AN ANSWER TO JIM FROM BRENT (the last) From: "KenHale" Date: Sat, 15 Sep 2001 16:20:15 -0500 Amen ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lloyd R. Prentice" Sent: Friday, September 14, 2001 7:42 PM Subject: Re: Terrorism AN ANSWER TO JIM FROM BRENT (the last) > Hello, > > Jim Joyner wrote: > > > I think Kris is right when he says "it is perfectly clear to me that this > > thread can only destroy relations on the aquaponics list". I don't wish to > > do that, so I'll not speak on the subject again. > > Personally, I've found the exchanges -- the disagreements even -- reassuring > and healing. I see our exchanges as a way of reaching out in our shock, anger > and grief. I'm sure that all of us have passed through every possible extreme > emotion this week. I see no harm in diagreements. But I do see great harm when > we lock others out of our hearts. I certainly hope that not a single person on > this list has taken permanent offence at the comments of another. > > Thank you all for being here. And thanks very much to those beyond our borders > who've expressed their solidarity. I'm sure we've all been praying today with > our families, with the rest of the nation, and much of the rest of the world. > It's nice to be praying together. > > Lloyd R. Prentice > > > > > > > > > > I want you to know, in any event, that I wish you no ill, that I even > > appreciate your passion; after all, I think we both love and care for the > > same country and people. > > > > Sincerely, > > > > Jim > > | Message 9 Subject: Re: Moving on 2 years down the road From: BMac1978 Date: Sat, 15 Sep 2001 19:29:31 EDT --part1_fe.c35dd19.28d53e5b_boundary Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 9/15/01 11:59:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time, writes: > Perhaps we may all benefit by helping each other develop better was to > operate more efficiently. Some have; wood, running water, ponds, wind, or > only sun light. Some only have there basements. Could we start a pool of > knowledge everyone around the world can add too and tap into, for the > common good. Possibly we could all agree on this as a way to help in our > own small way. > Brent, What a wonderful idea. I can't really give too much at this point because we are just trying to get all out materials together to start, but I would love to see something like that happening. When I do get to the point that I can say what is working here, I'd also love to share then. Warmly, Dawn --part1_fe.c35dd19.28d53e5b_boundary Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 9/15/01 11:59:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time, writes:


Perhaps we may all benefit by helping each other develop better was to operate more efficiently. Some have; wood, running water, ponds, wind, or only sun light. Some only have there basements. Could we start a pool of knowledge everyone around the world can add too and tap into, for the common good. Possibly we could all agree on this as a way to help in our own small way.


Brent,
 What a wonderful idea.  I can't really give too much at this point because we are just trying to get all out materials together to start, but I would love to see something like that happening.  When I do get to the point that I can say what is working here, I'd also love to share then.

Warmly,
Dawn
--part1_fe.c35dd19.28d53e5b_boundary-- | Message 10 Subject: Re: Moving on 2 years down the road From: Mick Date: Sat, 15 Sep 2001 18:48:49 -0500 Brent, We're pumping 700 gals an hour with a 1/8 horsepower (I think) pump. We looked at solar but we were quoted ten grand for the solar panels and battery storage and a DC/AC converter thingie. Wind power is problematic because we're in a valley. I wish we'd planned for being off the grid when we built this place and gone solar then. It would have been a lot easier and cheaper to have been solar from the "get go". Mick | Message 11 Subject: Re: More juice From: kris book Date: Sat, 15 Sep 2001 18:23:52 -0600 I was cleaning out the e-mailbox from August of some unread mail and a question was raised about increasing the nutrient concentration in the S&S system to grow heavy feeding plants. I don't remember seeing the answer to this question. Do any of you long time aquaponics growers think, that a more concentrated fish effluent is adequate for heavy feeders or is some nutrient derived from composted or digested material necessary? It would be easy to run the effluent from two fish tanks into one grow bed used for heavy feeders and then branch out to other grow beds to cleanse the effluent. And if biofertilizer or compost tea is necessary then can't we modify a S&S system by adding a NFT or some other hydroponics system on the return line.Then after biofertilizer is added to the fish effluent that just left the grow bed on the return line, the hydroponic system is flushed with fresh water. All of this liquid then runs outside to a natural wetlands where it is cleaned and then returned to the fish tanks. I'd like to go on and on and on but, if I can get an answer to these questions, I'll shut up for a week. kris | Message 12 Subject: Aquaponics Course, Bryson City, NC Nov 6-9,2001 From: Bertmcl Date: Sat, 15 Sep 2001 21:52:07 EDT Fellow list members please remember any registrations for the above course must be postmarked by Oct 1,2001 or the fee increases. Many of the topics which have come up in the past month will be discussed during this course. As one of the presentors, I urge as many as possible to register and bring yours questions as well as your solutions. I for one am really excited to be in attendence and know that I will bring back far more I leave in the class. GOD BLESS AMERICA and thanks for giving us an opportunity to share information on such an exciting venture - AQUAPONICS. For a brochure on this course please e-mail me Bertmcl. thanks and hope to see many of you in North Carolina. | Message 13 Subject: Re: More juice From: "bennett" Date: Sat, 15 Sep 2001 23:14:15 -0400 > And if biofertilizer or compost tea is necessary then can't we modify a >S&S system by adding a NFT or some other hydroponics system on the return >line.Then after biofertilizer is added to the fish effluent that just >left the grow bed on the return line, the hydroponic system is flushed >with fresh water. All of this liquid then runs outside to a natural >wetlands where it is cleaned and then returned to the fish tanks. I'd >like to go on and on and on but, if I can get an answer to these >questions, I'll shut up for a week. > This sounds very much like a system I'm trying to come up with. I want hydro/aquaponic veggies for human consumption, fish, duckweed or something similar to feed chickens and the chicken manure to help supplement the fish effluent. Of course, they won't be in this order. But am trying to figure ways to incorporate the whole lot. Any ideas? Donna

Back to Index