Aquaponics Digest - Wed 01/14/98
Message 1: Re: Trout
from S & S Aqua Farm
Message 2: Re: Gravel beds
from Gordon Watkins
Message 3: Re: Gravel beds
from S & S Aqua Farm
Message 4: Re: Gravel beds
from John Greer
Message 5: Re: Water Temp and Organic Feed
from S & S Aqua Farm
Message 6: Interesting Website
from Gordon Watkins
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| Message 1 |
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Subject: Re: Trout
From: S & S Aqua Farm
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 09:26:04 -0600
We appreciate the info that Jack and Dan furnished. As with other species,
I'm sure it's possible to get a great deal of information also from the aqua
mail groups and web links. We don't have any immediate plans ourselves to
switch from Tilapia to trout, but have had many inquiries as to trout's
ability to produce well in an aquaponics system. Most of these inquiries
come from countries where tilapia fingerling supplies are not easily
available and/or water temperature concerns (costs?) are raised.
At 08:19 AM 1/13/98 -0600, Chuck Hicks wrote:
>The Freshwater Institute at Shepherdstown, West Virginia has a series of
>publications about producing trout in recirculating systems. They also
>worked in coordination with a USDA laboratory in studing the use of
>effluent and wastes from the system for producing different types of
>useabel crops. I am sure that they would provide you with copies of
>their publications if requested.
>
>Chuck Hicks
To Marten Jenkins - is this Freshwater Institute where you're located?
Could you share some of these results (summarized if necessary) with the group?
Are these publications available to the public by mail or in a format that
they could be accessed through a web site?
Paula Speraneo
S&S Aqua Farm, 8386 County Road 8820, West Plains, MO 65775 417-256-5124
Web page http://www.townsqr.com/snsaqua/
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Subject: Re: Gravel beds
From: Gordon Watkins
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 09:29:12 -0600
Jack Rowe wrote:
>
> Paula et al,
>
> In circulating water systems, how far below the surface of the
> gravel/perlite is the water level kept (how much gravel above the water
> level), and what is the total depth of the gravel?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jack Rowe
Jack,
In my system, which is different from Paula's, the gravel depth is 12
inches. During a flood cycle (every 1.5 hours for 30 minutes, 10x per
day) the water level within the gravel rises to about 8 inches deep.
Within 15 minutes after termination of the flood cycle, approximately
90% of the water has drained away. Hope that helps.
Gordon
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Subject: Re: Gravel beds
From: S & S Aqua Farm
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 10:47:02 -0600
At 06:13 PM 1/13/98 -0500, Jack Rowe wrote:
>Paula et al,
>
>In circulating water systems, how far below the surface of the
>gravel/perlite is the water level kept (how much gravel above the water
>level), and what is the total depth of the gravel?
Jack - when we start our systems, the gravel is placed as close to 12" deep
as possible. During crop changeover, we lose some with the roots, but most
beds are kept at around 10" minimum.
Water levels are controlled in each grow bed by using a gate valve on the
incoming pipe. The levels are determined primarily by crop needs. After
seeding, I'll try to maintain water just below the surface for good
germination and to provide the young sprouts with water/nutrients. Then,
depending on the crop, this level can be dropped or maintained. We do try
not to flood above the level of the gravel in an open (or freshly planted)
bed, as this promotes algae growth. Once the plants are established and the
gravel is shaded, water can be on top without promoting algae, but this is
not a usual situation unless you have a bed needing cultivation or a drain
plugged.
As an additional comment, we find the more gravel area the water must pass
through, the higher the oxygen level in the water returned to the fish tanks.
Paula
S&S Aqua Farm, 8386 County Road 8820, West Plains, MO 65775 417-256-5124
Web page http://www.townsqr.com/snsaqua/
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Subject: Re: Gravel beds
From: John Greer
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 12:17:07 -0800
Gordon Watkins wrote:
>
> Jack Rowe wrote:
> >
> > Paula et al,
> >
> > In circulating water systems, how far below the surface of the
> > gravel/perlite is the water level kept (how much gravel above the water
> > level), and what is the total depth of the gravel?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Jack Rowe
>
> Jack,
> In my system, which is different from Paula's, the gravel depth is 12
> inches. During a flood cycle (every 1.5 hours for 30 minutes, 10x per
> day) the water level within the gravel rises to about 8 inches deep.
> Within 15 minutes after termination of the flood cycle, approximately
> 90% of the water has drained away. Hope that helps.
> Gordon
Do you have any trouble with root rot or anything like that?
Do you have fish in this system and if so how do they handle the water
level differences??
thanks
John Greer
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Subject: Re: Water Temp and Organic Feed
From: S & S Aqua Farm
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 14:55:31 -0600
>Date: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 14:48:45 -0600
>To: jeff@in-tch.com
>From: S & S Aqua Farm
>Subject: Re: Water Temp and Organic Feed
>
>At 07:42 AM 1/13/98 -0700, Jeff wrote:
>>I wanted to introduce myself to the list.
>
>Welcome to the list!!
>
>My name is Jeff Schahczenski
>>from real cold Montana. I have just finished building our families
>>strawbale house and am planning a greenhouse construction (probably on
>>on an earthship design(pounded tires)) and am thinking about aquaponic
>>growing. One of my biggest concerns is maintaining water temperature.
>
>Jeff - what is your weather like - mostly sunny (although cold), cloudy
often, seldom? All these things will affect your water temperature if you
are planning on sun to provide primary heat. Or are you thinking in terms
of heating the water some other way?
>
>>The other is the desire (value?) to keep the operation certifiablly
>>organic (ie organic hydroponics). It seems to keep an aquaponic
>>operation truly organic one would have to find a feed source for the
>>fish that was also organic. I have caught earlier postings on organic
>>feed, but am wondering whether anyone knows of feed mixes from organic
>>grains or legumes(lentils,peas)? From previous work I have good contacts
>>with quite a few organic wheat, pea and lentil growers in Montana.
>
>There are several of us currently working on finding an acceptable
organically produced feed, and not just to fit the proposed new standards.
Much of the concern, I believe, is finding appropriate sources of organic
products with proper protein and nutrient levels for fish health and growth.
Perhaps we'll get some further input on this soon.
>
>Paula Speraneo
>
S&S Aqua Farm, 8386 County Road 8820, West Plains, MO 65775 417-256-5124
Web page http://www.townsqr.com/snsaqua/
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Subject: Interesting Website
From: Gordon Watkins
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 16:40:56 -0600
Hello Paula,
Here's a nice link you might want to include on your web page and
others might like to visit.
http://www.aquanet.com/aquastore/
Best, Gordon
S&S Aqua Farm, 8386 County Road 8820, West Plains, MO 65775 417-256-5124
Web page http://www.townsqr.com/snsaqua/
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