Aquaponics Digest - Tue 05/30/00
Message 1: keeping the greenhouse warm
from "timjohanns"
Message 2: RE: keeping the greenhouse warm
from "Nick Kemp"
Message 3: Re: Keeping the greenhouse warm ...
from "Lloyd R. Prentice"
Message 4: Greetings from Gordon Creaser
from Adriana Gutierrez & Dennis LaGatta
Message 5: Conferences
from Adriana Gutierrez & Dennis LaGatta
Message 6: Re: Conferences
from "James Rakocy"
Message 7: Re: Conferences
from "vpage"
Message 8: Re: Re : pH control / swamp vs lake
from "Elisheva Ruth"
Message 9: SARE Grant
from Bertmcl
Message 10: Re: Request for Organic Solution recipes
from "Elisheva Ruth"
Message 11: Re: SARE Grant
from "Elisheva Ruth"
Message 12: Re: Request for Organic Solution recipes
from marc@aculink.net
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| Message 1 |
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Subject: keeping the greenhouse warm
From: "timjohanns"
Date: Tue, 30 May 2000 08:49:21 -0700
I live in the upper central portion of Iowa, 20 minutes south of the Minn.
border, and am building a greenhouse that is just a few days from being
finished. I am incorporating a radiant heat floor utilizing silo staves and
a water heater. 1 1/2" Styrofoam is placed down first, then plastic pipe is
wound back and forth and fastened to the Styrofoam. 2 inches of sand is
skreeted over this and your concrete is poured over that. In my case I am
using silo staves salvaged from silo's for the concrete thermal mass of the
radiant system. A water heater is then used to supply the warm water
circulated thru the pipes for heat. I intend to use several layers of the
staves to get enough thermal mass. I might add, this is a back-up system for
what is intended to be primarily a solar house. It is a 14' x 32' cold frame
with 30" walls built from landscape timbers. It has a 9' 6" peak, and I am
filling in the back 1/3 to the north with plywood and Styrofoam to increase
fuel efficiency. I am in the middle of a small community, desperately trying
to skate around building codes based upon the questionable permanency of the
structure. If the Iowa DHS didn't take all but 20.00 of my income, this
would have been finished last millennium. So while I work a second job on
the sly to eat baloney, I squirrel away funds to fuel my bioponic passions.
Like we say here, if you don't like the weather in Iowa, wait 15 minutes, it
will change. It is not uncommon to have a 60 degree temp swing from day to
day during many seasons, so this compels me to back-up my system. I also
intend to leave the system open to hook-ups for heating the biobeds and
tilapia tank, via grids underneath each. The pump for the system will
utilize hot water heat pumps from home systems with 12 volt back-up, and I
want PV panel power in the future. I have a friend who used this in a 28' x
32' garage keeping it heated all winter for under 200.00.
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| Message 2 |
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Subject: RE: keeping the greenhouse warm
From: "Nick Kemp"
Date: Tue, 30 May 2000 09:59:04 -0500
Tim,
Your greenhouse design reminds me of an article written years ago about
using active solar panels. When most systems were trying to get 150 degree
heat from their panels (usually with high cost, sophisticated systems and
relatively unsuccessfully), it was observed that panels will produce
significantly more heat for longer periods if the output temperature is
dropped to the 70-80 degree range. Even on marginal days, the panels can
produce 70-80 degree heat albeit at lower flow rates. As you are probably
aware, 70-80 degrees is optimal for radiant slab heat and lower levels and
greater mass would be VERY acceptable for a greenhouse.
One idea is to utilize swimming pool solar panels (made of EPDM, relatively
inexpensive but have no glazing), incorporate them into the greenhouse
design and give them a layer of glazing to improve performance in cold
weather. The fluid can be pumped directly to the slab eliminating the
complexities/costs associated with most solar systems. If the design
allows, the panels could be installed lower than the greenhouse and could
utilize thermo-siphoning thus eliminating the pumps.
Running two loops under the floor will give the option of running the 80+
water into the upper level and 50-70 water into the lower loop, thus
extracting the most heat possible from the system. The water heater can
then be solar assisted and is only used as backup.
BTW ... this system is a lot simpler than I've made it sound.
Just some thoughts from the solar past.
Nick
-----Original Message-----
From: aquaponics
[mailto:aquaponics]On Behalf Of timjohanns
Sent: Tuesday, May 30, 2000 10:49 AM
To: post
Subject: keeping the greenhouse warm
I live in the upper central portion of Iowa, 20 minutes south of the Minn.
border, and am building a greenhouse that is just a few days from being
finished. I am incorporating a radiant heat floor utilizing silo staves and
a water heater. 1 1/2" Styrofoam is placed down first, then plastic pipe is
wound back and forth and fastened to the Styrofoam. 2 inches of sand is
skreeted over this and your concrete is poured over that. In my case I am
using silo staves salvaged from silo's for the concrete thermal mass of the
radiant system. A water heater is then used to supply the warm water
circulated thru the pipes for heat. I intend to use several layers of the
staves to get enough thermal mass. I might add, this is a back-up system for
what is intended to be primarily a solar house. It is a 14' x 32' cold frame
with 30" walls built from landscape timbers. It has a 9' 6" peak, and I am
filling in the back 1/3 to the north with plywood and Styrofoam to increase
fuel efficiency. I am in the middle of a small community, desperately trying
to skate around building codes based upon the questionable permanency of the
structure. If the Iowa DHS didn't take all but 20.00 of my income, this
would have been finished last millennium. So while I work a second job on
the sly to eat baloney, I squirrel away funds to fuel my bioponic passions.
Like we say here, if you don't like the weather in Iowa, wait 15 minutes, it
will change. It is not uncommon to have a 60 degree temp swing from day to
day during many seasons, so this compels me to back-up my system. I also
intend to leave the system open to hook-ups for heating the biobeds and
tilapia tank, via grids underneath each. The pump for the system will
utilize hot water heat pumps from home systems with 12 volt back-up, and I
want PV panel power in the future. I have a friend who used this in a 28' x
32' garage keeping it heated all winter for under 200.00.
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| Message 3 |
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Subject: Re: Keeping the greenhouse warm ...
From: "Lloyd R. Prentice"
Date: Tue, 30 May 2000 12:42:40 -0400
Hello,
Chris Weaver and Theresa Shaw wrote:
> If you are looking at heating your greenhouse alternatively, I would suggest you
> don't go with a hoop house. A lean-to type of structure with the North wall
> being solid and highly isulated would be far better. The south wall should be
> highly insulated up to the 3 foot mark as well. The entire foundation should be
> built upon a 3-4 (frost level) foot foundation that is also highly insulated to
> prevent frost from creeping in under the greenhouse and robbing heat.
Perhaps you can also build a big compost pile against the North wall, and run some
heat-exchanging pipe or tubing from the middle of the compost pile into the
greenhouse.
Best wishes,
Lloyd R. Prentice
--
Prentice Associates Incorporated
Creativity, technical excellence and professionalism in print, web and software
communications for the health care and high-tech industries.
See us at: http://paisite.com
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| Message 4 |
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Subject: Greetings from Gordon Creaser
From: Adriana Gutierrez & Dennis LaGatta
Date: Tue, 30 May 2000 12:49:43 -0400
I just got a call from Gordon Creaser - he asked me to update you on his
gallivanting ways. Gordon just got back from a whirlwind trip to
England followed by a stint in Surinam. In England he visited an
operation with a 100+ acre greenhouse for growing mustard-and-cress and
another 100+ tomato greenhouse. The mustard-and-cress, which are spicy
greens for sandwiches were harvest with a revolving blade with the
greens falling onto a conveyor. He took plenty of pictures and plans to
write an article on it in the near future.
The Surinam project is a conversion of a toilet paper factory into a
floating lettuce operation. Hmmm, let's see what jokes we can make
about that... They plan to remove the roof of the factory and paint the
walls white for light reflection. The raceways will be built above an
existing slab. While in Surinam he also visited a fish farm which had
18" tilapia!
Gordon expects to start up his New Mexico project next month. Somehow
he's going to continue with his existing clients and commute back and
forth to Orlando until the New Mexico facilities are up and running.
Sounds like Superman to me...
Look for his upcoming articles. I think we should all pitch in a few
dollars to buy Gordon a good digital camera on the condition that he
post the photos online after each trip.
Adriana
Adriana
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| Message 5 |
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Subject: Conferences
From: Adriana Gutierrez & Dennis LaGatta
Date: Tue, 30 May 2000 15:20:24 -0400
There are a number of excellent conferences scheduled for the next
couple of months:
June 23-25, Wheaton, Mass, 5th International Herb Symposium-
http://www.sagemountain.com/index1.html
August 18-20, Norway, Iowa, Frontier Herbfest
http://www.frontiercoop.com/HerbFest/HerbfestHome.html
September 27-October 1, Cape Cod, MA, Herb Growing & Marketing Network
Conference
http://herbworld.com/winter_getaway_conference.htm
November 4-5, Toronto, Canada, Richter's Commercial Herb Growing
Conference
http://www.Richters.com/newdisplay.cgi?page=./ConfY2K.html&cart_id=8916383.28448
Are there any others we should know about? Jim Rakocy, I know you have
a workshop on aquaponics coming up at the end of June in St. Croix,
perhaps you could repost the information. Becky, are you guys doing
anything this summer or fall? Perhaps list members could plan to meet
at some of these. Is there anybody who could facilitate a tour of the
Cape Cod Aquafarms for people going to the Sept 27 conference?
Adriana
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| Message 6 |
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Subject: Re: Conferences
From: "James Rakocy"
Date: Tue, 30 May 2000 16:43:09 -0400
Thanks for the reminder Adriana. We still have space in our Aquaponics and
Tilapia Aquaculture Short Course at the University of the Virgin Islands
from June 25-July 1. We have four tilapia experiments in progress, using
red and Nile tilapia, and we are raising a bunch of new crops including,
watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumber, squash, okra, bell peppers, hot peppers,
pak choi, celery, mustard, chard, mizuma green, shungiku, mint, basil,
culantro and marigolds. If you are interested, further information can be
found at http://rps.uvi.edu/AES/Aquaculture/UVIShortCourse.html The
deadline has been extended from June 1 to June 15.
----- Original Message -----
From: Adriana Gutierrez & Dennis LaGatta
To:
Sent: Tuesday, May 30, 2000 3:20 PM
Subject: Conferences
> There are a number of excellent conferences scheduled for the next
> couple of months:
>
> June 23-25, Wheaton, Mass, 5th International Herb Symposium-
> http://www.sagemountain.com/index1.html
>
> August 18-20, Norway, Iowa, Frontier Herbfest
> http://www.frontiercoop.com/HerbFest/HerbfestHome.html
>
> September 27-October 1, Cape Cod, MA, Herb Growing & Marketing Network
> Conference
> http://herbworld.com/winter_getaway_conference.htm
>
> November 4-5, Toronto, Canada, Richter's Commercial Herb Growing
> Conference
>
>
http://www.Richters.com/newdisplay.cgi?page=./ConfY2K.html&cart_id=8916383.2
8448
>
> Are there any others we should know about? Jim Rakocy, I know you have
> a workshop on aquaponics coming up at the end of June in St. Croix,
> perhaps you could repost the information. Becky, are you guys doing
> anything this summer or fall? Perhaps list members could plan to meet
> at some of these. Is there anybody who could facilitate a tour of the
> Cape Cod Aquafarms for people going to the Sept 27 conference?
>
> Adriana
>
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| Message 7 |
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Subject: Re: Conferences
From: "vpage"
Date: Tue, 30 May 2000 15:12:54 -0600
For those of you near Alberta Canada there is the National Recircualtion
Technology Workshop and Tradeshow in July to coincide with the Calgary
Stampede. It will focus on recirc technology and on aquaponics in the North.
It will be held at Lethbridge Community College in Lethbridge Alberta.
Information is available on the Northern Aquaculture web page www.naqua.com
and on the site for the Alberta Fish FArmers' Association at www.affa.ab.ca
Victoria Page
Alberta Fish Famers Association
-----
Original Message -----
From: Adriana Gutierrez & Dennis LaGatta
To:
Sent: Tuesday, May 30, 2000 1:20 PM
Subject: Conferences
> There are a number of excellent conferences scheduled for the next
> couple of months:
>
> June 23-25, Wheaton, Mass, 5th International Herb Symposium-
> http://www.sagemountain.com/index1.html
>
> August 18-20, Norway, Iowa, Frontier Herbfest
> http://www.frontiercoop.com/HerbFest/HerbfestHome.html
>
> September 27-October 1, Cape Cod, MA, Herb Growing & Marketing Network
> Conference
> http://herbworld.com/winter_getaway_conference.htm
>
> November 4-5, Toronto, Canada, Richter's Commercial Herb Growing
> Conference
>
>
http://www.Richters.com/newdisplay.cgi?page=./ConfY2K.html&cart_id=8916383.2
8448
>
> Are there any others we should know about? Jim Rakocy, I know you have
> a workshop on aquaponics coming up at the end of June in St. Croix,
> perhaps you could repost the information. Becky, are you guys doing
> anything this summer or fall? Perhaps list members could plan to meet
> at some of these. Is there anybody who could facilitate a tour of the
> Cape Cod Aquafarms for people going to the Sept 27 conference?
>
> Adriana
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| Message 8 |
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Subject: Re: Re : pH control / swamp vs lake
From: "Elisheva Ruth"
Date: Tue, 30 May 2000 18:41:06 -0400
Why specifically barly straw?
Would any dry straw, such as wheat, etc. work as well?
Eli
----------
>From: laberge@cil.qc.ca (LABERGE MARC)
>To: "aqua"
>Subject: Re : pH control / swamp vs lake
>Date: Sun, May 21, 2000, 1:05 PM
>
>
> < indefinitely? Is the critical factor the
> stocking rate? At some low stocking rate, the
> frogs, water weeds, fish, algae, protozoa, and
> ducks seems to settle into a sustainable pattern?
>
> Carolyn>>
>
> What you are describing sounds like a lake which is in equilibrium. What I
> am talking about is ponds which in most cases are well above the equilibrium
> stocking rate and things tend to get a little out of wack when you exceed
> the natural capacity of the environment. In most cases people do add feed to
> feed these fish , so again the environment gets out of wack.
>
> < course.
> The barley straw is mostly carbon and it will brake down and form humeric
> acid
> or humic acid. Or you are in Canada so you could use spragnam peat moss.
> John Hays>>
>
> John I have been asking everywhere about the barley straw , internet recirc
> lists , aqua list letter to the editor of Recirc Today... no response about
> the straw with trout. I know that it is used for catfish and other hardy
> fish but I don't know of anyone who has ever used it in trout ponds. Farmers
> with over 15 years experience up here have never heard about the straw
> neither people from the government. I have set up a few bags in the main
> pond using ~10 g per meter square and will see if any changes occurs.
> The original question I believe was about tampering with one's pH of a pond
> . As I understand it barley straw does not affect the pH of a pond directly
> ; very very indirectly I could maybe see with the small amount of acid
> released by the decomposition of the straw which kills algae cells but not
> plants , but directly I can't. Could you explain more about the direct
> relationship ?
>
>
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| Message 9 |
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Subject: SARE Grant
From: Bertmcl
Date: Tue, 30 May 2000 19:34:35 EDT
Early this year I told several of you that I had applied for SUSTAINABLE
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION grant to grow CUT FLOWERS in TILAPIA water
vs COMMERICAL FERTILIZER (Aquaponics vs Hydroponics).
On April 7, 2000 I was notified that my proposal was 1 of 23 approved of 109
submitted.
I have built 16 grow beds 4'x8'x6" deep using the S&S Aqua Farm system. 8
beds will be fed with Tilapia water and 8 beds will be fed with Hydrosol &
Calcuim Nitrate solution. The Fish tanks will remain indoors while the 16
beds are outside.
We are using 4 varaities of Zinnias and 4 varities of Dahlias. The Dahlia
bulbs were planted in the beds on May 12 & May 13. and Zinnia seed on May
14, On May 17 the Zinnia in beds fed with fish water were germinating. A week
later the other Zinnias were germinating. Some of the Dalhia Bulbs have
plants from 3 - 4" in heigth after 2 weeks in the beds.
I plan to have pictures and and progress reports on a web site very shortly.
This is a 2 year project and will include test marketing of cut flowers,
field days and other means of education.
To all my friends in this wonderful group, I have read yor many messages and
just have not had the time to add any comments. GOOD LUCK to ALL.
Bert
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| Message 10 |
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Subject: Re: Request for Organic Solution recipes
From: "Elisheva Ruth"
Date: Tue, 30 May 2000 19:40:34 -0400
Is anyone else doing research involving earthworms,
biofilters and disease suppression?
I am settingup a small system to research this,
and invite research problems and questions.
Eli
----------
>From: "Angela O."
>To: aquaponics@townsqr.com
>Subject: Re: Request for Organic Solution recipes
>Date: Thu, May 18, 2000, 4:09 PM
>
> Paula you have my interest about the earthworms integrated into your
> system. Please tell more.
>
>>Date: Thu, 18 May 2000 22:29:04 +1000
>>From: Vivienne Hallman
>>To: aquaponics@townsqr.com
>>Subject: Re: Request for Organic Solution recipes
>>Reply-To: aquaponics@townsqr.com
>>
>>Paula
>>Are the earthworms in a gravel substrate? Have you any idea of population
> numbers?
>>Do they undergo periodic flooding, or is there an area where they can stay
> above the
>>waterline?
>>
>>Vivienne Hallman
>>
>>S & S Aqua Farm wrote:
>>
>>> At 09:41 AM 05/16/2000 -0700, Doug wrote:
>>>
>>> >I have not heard about anyone
>>> >introducing worm castings into a closed-loop recirculating aquaponic
system.
>>> >Likewise, I havn't heard if there would be any adverse reactions in the
aquatic
>>> >environment from using castings. Again, I need more information in this
area.
>>> >
>>> >This subject is pretty hot on my desk these days--more to come in the
future.
>>> >
>>> >Doug Peckenpaugh
>>> >
>>> >Elisheva Ruth wrote:
>>> >
>>> >> If one adds in earthworm castings, or such heavier matter,
>>> >> how would this effect a recirc system and fish needs?
>>>
>>> Sorry to come so late into the discussion. We don't "add" earthworm
>>> castings, but do have earthworms (and their castings) present in our system.
>>> I don't believe we've seen any negative reactions from their presence, and
>>> would theorize that they are serving as an intermediate breakdown of a
>>> portion of the fish waste solids. Given their normal presence in an outdoor
>>> pond-side situation, I don't see that they would ever be a problem for fish
>>> needs.
>>>
>>> Paula
>>>
>>> S&S Aqua Farm, 8386 County Road 8820, West Plains, MO 65775 417-256-5124
>>> Web page http://www.townsqr.com/snsaqua/
>
>
>
> Hugss,
> Angela
>
> P.S. This is my web page ... give it a look, if ya like you can compare
> all surf programs there ... you can get one just like it already built if
> ya want for FREE !
>
> http://www.maxref.com/mrp/top.cgi/earn/MX659763?top=cp
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> You to can have an email account at http://www.bigmailbox.net
>
>
>
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| Message 11 |
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Subject: Re: SARE Grant
From: "Elisheva Ruth"
Date: Tue, 30 May 2000 21:11:43 -0400
Bert,
Congradulations on your grant.
Do keep us informed of your project;
questions, problems and what you are learning.
Why cut flowers and not food crops?
What is the stocking density?
Biofitration system? Or are plant roots sufficient?
What water parameters are you measuring?
Eli
----------
>From: Bertmcl
>To: aquaponics@townsqr.com
>Subject: SARE Grant
>Date: Tue, May 30, 2000, 7:34 PM
>
> Early this year I told several of you that I had applied for SUSTAINABLE
> AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION grant to grow CUT FLOWERS in TILAPIA water
> vs COMMERICAL FERTILIZER (Aquaponics vs Hydroponics).
>
> On April 7, 2000 I was notified that my proposal was 1 of 23 approved of 109
> submitted.
>
> I have built 16 grow beds 4'x8'x6" deep using the S&S Aqua Farm system. 8
> beds will be fed with Tilapia water and 8 beds will be fed with Hydrosol &
> Calcuim Nitrate solution. The Fish tanks will remain indoors while the 16
> beds are outside.
>
> We are using 4 varaities of Zinnias and 4 varities of Dahlias. The Dahlia
> bulbs were planted in the beds on May 12 & May 13. and Zinnia seed on May
> 14, On May 17 the Zinnia in beds fed with fish water were germinating. A week
> later the other Zinnias were germinating. Some of the Dalhia Bulbs have
> plants from 3 - 4" in heigth after 2 weeks in the beds.
>
> I plan to have pictures and and progress reports on a web site very shortly.
>
> This is a 2 year project and will include test marketing of cut flowers,
> field days and other means of education.
>
> To all my friends in this wonderful group, I have read yor many messages and
> just have not had the time to add any comments. GOOD LUCK to ALL.
>
> Bert
>
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| Message 12 |
'------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------'
Subject: Re: Request for Organic Solution recipes
From: marc@aculink.net
Date: Tue, 30 May 2000 19:08:43 -0600
Actually worms have been used all the way up to commercial
and municipal levels to take unacceptable sludge or waste to
"Class A" ratings which is quite good. It is not a new thing
and gobs of studies have been done.
Marc S. Nameth
Elisheva Ruth wrote:
>
> Is anyone else doing research involving earthworms,
> biofilters and disease suppression?
> I am settingup a small system to research this,
> and invite research problems and questions.
> Eli
>
> >
|
