Aquaponics Digest - Thu 09/23/99
Message 1: Re: floaters & sinkers
from "Sam Levy"
Message 2: Fwd. Inquiry
from S & S Aqua Farm
Message 3: Re: Fwd. Inquiry
from
Message 4: Re: Recirc. Marine Systems
from dreadlox@cwjamaica.com (michael kent barnett)
Message 5: Re: organic certification Hawaii aquaponics and permaculture
from "William Brown"
Message 6:
from Butch Ragland
Message 7: Re: Recirc. Marine Systems
from "KevinLReed"
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| Message 1 |
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Subject: Re: floaters & sinkers
From: "Sam Levy"
Date: Thu, 23 Sep 1999 07:47:19 PDT
barry-
the waste products in an aquaculture system come in a lot of shapes, sizes,
& densities (in the early 90's Dr Shulin Chen from LSU did a fair amount of
theoretical work on the modeling of aquaculture effluents--i think some of
it was published in "aquacultural engineering" (publication of the
"aquacultural engineering society").
although many of the solids sink, it takes very little energy to break them
up into smaller particles & re-suspend them (ask anyone using a rotating
drum filter how much solid waste is re-deposited in the culture water).
all possible techniques (sed ponds, filters, vortex devices, settling
plates, &c) have been used and a careful literature search should turn up
the advantages & disadvantages of each system.
foam fractionation was added to the list to handle the very fine suspended
particles & clump off some of the unspecified organic compounds that build
up in recirculating systems.
in most intensive systems, the solids are handled outside the culture tank
as they form a major oxygen sink.
tank culture often includes an overflow outlet which serves the double
purpose of allowing the culture water to leave the tank w/out going over the
sides should the bottom become plugged & allows the floating waste to exit
the tank.
sam
"Barry Thomas"
>
>Sam,
>
>
>Is there a difficulty? I had assumed that most of the solids sank and
>that it was mainly dissolved wastes which were applied to the plants,
>with the sludge at the bottom pumped out for other treatment.
>
>What seperation methods are most used? Settling tanks? Mechanical
>filters?
>
>Is it possible to use the "Vortex" type filters (as used in
>incinerators, sawmills, bagless vacuum cleaners etc.) with water? Anyone
>know of any in use?
>
>Barry
>barrythomas@btinternet.com
>
>
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
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| Message 2 |
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Subject: Fwd. Inquiry
From: S & S Aqua Farm
Date: Thu, 23 Sep 1999 09:48:09 -0500
>Date: Thu, 23 Sep 1999 02:56:35 -0400
>From: Norman Pangilinan
>Organization: Analog Devices Inc.
>Subject: Inquiry
>
>Hi all!
> I'm Norman Pangilinan
> I want to know more about the BIOPONICS System.
> How to start the system? What are the main problems confronting
> those who have started it. Is it really OK to have one
> at your backyard/home?
>
>regards,
>Norman
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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| Message 3 |
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Subject: Re: Fwd. Inquiry
From:
Date: Thu, 23 Sep 1999 11:24:36 + 5 EST
> How to start the system? What are the main problems confronting
> those who have started it. Is it really OK to have one
> at your backyard/home?
Hi Norman!
We purchased a system from S&S for our school. Besides the obvious
downfalls of any aquaculture system, the S&S systems is basically idiot
proof. We have experienced a few problems (trying to cut corners on
pumps, etc.) but otherwise, add a few gallons of water a day, wash your
stone every 6 months to a year, and there is no big problem. The
biggest problem we have had here at school is evaporation.
I would reccommend this system to anyone who knows the basics of
aquaculture. We were confused at first by the pumping of our solids
(wastes, etc...). This goes against all the other major theories of
aquaculture (NEVER break up solids). However, this system relies on
exactly that - pump the wastes and grind them into a "slurry", thus
feeding the plants. Everyone said it wouldn't work, but they are
surporised by our success!
Set up is for the most part a two person job (not really heavy, just
bulky). Be sure to seal the drains for your beds very carefully and
cleanly. Let everything set up really well (anything glued and
siliconed). And WHATEVER YOU DO - spend the $300 or so for two of the
reccommended pumps!!!! We tried to cut corners - just does not work!
We have raised about 500-700 tilapia to nearly market size (some
harvested and some still growing) and more basil, lettuce, tomatoes, and
other things) than we know what to do with. Everyone is overly
satisfied with the quality - overly satisfied to the point where they
always want more. We do not sell any of our fish or plants - we served
some at our FFA banquet last year and the basil is a biog hit at our
local church soup kitchen. Lettuce flies out the door whenever it is
harvested and leaves em comming back for more.
In a word - If my wife let me park her car outside, there would be one
at my home (of course, it is kind of tough since winters are pretty
severe here in upstate NY) Hope this helps in your decision!!!!
MIKE
> How to start the system? What are the main problems confronting
> those who have started it. Is it really OK to have one
> at your backyard/home?
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| Message 4 |
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Subject: Re: Recirc. Marine Systems
From: dreadlox@cwjamaica.com (michael kent barnett)
Date: Thu, 23 Sep 1999 19:23:25 -0700
This wasnt to be a aquaponic system Adriana, just a system recirculating
the water to a particular point of saturation (?) with wastes, and then
replenished. what I need to know is, what are the known levels ( DO,
Nitrate, Phosphate etc.) within which marine life can tolerate polluted
water?
I would be aerating through high flowthrough and showerheads etc. doing
the usual like dissolved and solid waste removal etc. but what about
removal of Nitrates and Phophates in such a system? I wouldnt like that
say after two days of circulation, although Ive filtered and circulated,
I in effect pump back something that would be so "concentrated" that the
sea would have while to rebalance.
I know that in the ocean, salt water regulates itself by many
means.However, I am not sure how this is done "artificially" when in a
recirc system.
That realy what I need to know. Does anyone know if say those Ocean
World setup, are flowthrough or recirc?
Any help or pointers welcome....mmmh,
Mike
Adriana Gutierrez & Dennis LaGatta wrote:
>
> Michael,
> What plants can you grow in such a saline solution other than sea
> plants? I would not expect the sea water to have a high enough nutrient
> concentration to provide a good yield of plants if you found some that
> worked.
>
> Adriana
>
> > Are you saying that I can run a pipe from the sea to some tanks and just
> > grow in a recirc system? (If so, artemia, food fish, and some crusties
> > might be interesting for me...)
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| Message 5 |
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Subject: Re: organic certification Hawaii aquaponics and permaculture
From: "William Brown"
Date: Thu, 23 Sep 1999 07:17:03 -1000
So Kevin, where are you located? I overhere in Mt View.
William Brown mahiwai@cmpmail.com
----- Original Message -----
From: KevinLReed
To:
Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 1999 6:39 PM
Subject: Re: organic certification Hawaii aquaponics and permaculture
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| Message 7 |
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Subject: Re: Recirc. Marine Systems
From: "KevinLReed"
Date: Thu, 23 Sep 1999 20:40:01 -0700
Sam,
The nutrient supply in the water is the key. Colder water seems to have
higher nutrient levels because of deep ocean up welling of dissolved
minerals.
Warm surface water blocks the upwelling with and inversion layer that stops
nutrients from rising to the surface. Plants of course grow better in warm
areas with good sunlight ... if they have the nutrients ... but most warm
sea water
areas are nutrient poor water.
Still there are some edible sea weeds and some tidal estuary plants that
live well on a combination of salt and fresh water. I am working on some
warm water kelp
so who knows ... I don't see why the same type of systems as many use for
fish/ plants can not also be used in salt water. Salt tolerant organisms and
plants would have to be substituted for fresh water varieties and nutrients
can be added to any kind of water.
Kevin
Check out the
Hawaiian style fish ponds ... they let little fish in then they grow and
can't get out.
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