Aquaponics Digest - Fri 10/01/99
Message 1: Hello
from Robert WALKER
Message 2: Disease Management for Aquaponics farms.
from Robert WALKER
Message 3: RE: Disease Management for Aquaponics farms.
from "Marten Jenkins"
Message 4: Re: Aquaponic Tomatoes
from "Charlie Shultz"
Message 5: Re: DE
from "Charlie Shultz"
Message 6: RE: DE
from "Donna Fezler"
Message 7: Re: DE
from Adriana Gutierrez & Dennis LaGatta
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| Message 2 |
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Subject: Disease Management for Aquaponics farms.
From: Robert WALKER
Date: Fri, 01 Oct 1999 16:03:08 +1000
Hello to all out there,
I am looking at starting a Aquaponics farm in Queensland
Australia, farming notably Redclaw Crayfish and probably
later Barramundi/Silver Perch.
But I also wish to add a side salad on the side, and hence
have a full blown Aquaponics farm.
However, this requires a detailed plan to gain approval
and licenses. One of many areas which needs to be covered
is disease management.
I was wondering if someone could provide me their Disease
Management brief as an example to all Aquaponists in the
commercial world.
I have already started such a document, but, to what detail
should one go to in such a document and how far realistically
should one try to go in order to control a disease outbreak?
in a form of a document? Is it better to state that you
have some grounding's and a framework and then wait or hope
that such a thing does not happen??? What are your thoughts
in that area???
Any information would be great,
Robert.
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| Message 3 |
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Subject: RE: Disease Management for Aquaponics farms.
From: "Marten Jenkins"
Date: Fri, 1 Oct 1999 08:30:06 -0400
Check out the pest management guidelines published by ATTRA at
www.attra.gov.
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Subject: Re: Aquaponic Tomatoes
From: "Charlie Shultz"
Date: Fri, 01 Oct 1999 07:19:48 PDT
Adriana,
>If you had to select 4 varieties
>out of the ones you grew which would they be?
All varieties (12) flourished and produced a bounty of toms. I guess my
favorites were SunMaster, Celebrity, Bonita, and Merced.
>Was your spacing 4 feet between plants in all directions?
Our troughs are approximately 4 feet wide, so these plants were placed down
the middle at 4 foot intervals.
>For how long did the plants produce fruit?
The seeds sprouted Dec 1, transplants were put into net pots on Dec 14 and
harvest continued from March 3 - April 8.
During the summer months, I think the air temperature here is too hot for
tomato production. I've been told that the heat actually will prevent
pollination or produce sterile pollen.
In addition, we usually experience a Pythium fungus outbreak during our hot
summer months. Currently, we are running trial experiments to determine
chilling effects on Pythium, lettuce and fish production.
We will continue to work with tomatoes, but probably only during our cool
months.
>Adriana
Charlie
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| Message 5 |
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Subject: Re: DE
From: "Charlie Shultz"
Date: Fri, 01 Oct 1999 07:25:47 PDT
Dear list:
I've also been told not to use pool-grade DE. Although a bit more
expensive, some garden shops (and Walmart at one time) carry a food-grade
DE. I've used it in the past for my terrestrial garden with super results.
For those not familiar with Diatomatious Earth, it is comprised of crushed
diatom "skeletons". To you and me the DE feels like a powder, but to small
insects, it can slice them up, they dehydrate, and die.
Charlie
>DE is a dessicant so be careful using it, especially in Arizona. >I've
>read that it is not advisable to use pool-grade DE for some reason. >It
>sounded good at the time.
>Adriana
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| Message 6 |
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Subject: RE: DE
From: "Donna Fezler"
Date: Fri, 1 Oct 1999 10:03:28 -0500
I would like to hear the rationale on food grade DE with some real science
attached. I have heard this in the animal health industry all the time from
farmers selling food grade DE. Until someone local carried it, I continued
to use the pool store DE and I saw no problems, not even in the sensitive
babies.
The issue may be the difference in handling between food grade and non-food
grade.
Then again, maybe it is just the label. Anyone?
Donna Fezler
GCR
Jacksonville, IL
http://www.rhealiving.com
-----Original Message-----
From: aquaponics
[mailto:aquaponics]On Behalf Of Charlie Shultz
Sent: Friday, October 01, 1999 9:26 AM
To: aquaponics@townsqr.com
Subject: Re: DE
Dear list:
I've also been told not to use pool-grade DE. Although a bit more
expensive, some garden shops (and Walmart at one time) carry a food-grade
DE. I've used it in the past for my terrestrial garden with super results.
For those not familiar with Diatomatious Earth, it is comprised of crushed
diatom "skeletons". To you and me the DE feels like a powder, but to small
insects, it can slice them up, they dehydrate, and die.
Charlie
>DE is a dessicant so be careful using it, especially in Arizona. >I've
>read that it is not advisable to use pool-grade DE for some reason. >It
>sounded good at the time.
>Adriana
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| Message 7 |
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Subject: Re: DE
From: Adriana Gutierrez & Dennis LaGatta
Date: Fri, 01 Oct 1999 13:36:01 -0400
Hi Donna,
I was able to find three references on the issue of the various grades
of Diatomaceous Earth. Here goes:
1. From http://www.lis.ab.ca/walton/grain/faqs/ive.html
"There are actually two kinds of DE to be found on the market and only
one of themis suitable for use as an insecticide to use in your stored
grains. The kind that you DO NOT WANT FOR FOOD USE is the type sold by
swimming pool suppliers as a filetering agent. It has been subjected to
a heat treatment that dramatically increases it's silicate content and
makes it unsuitable for use with your foodstuffs."
2. The California Certified Organic Farmers Handbook also specifies
that only non heat-treated DE is allowed, no explanation.
3. Go to
http://www.rampumps.com/news/Y2k/survival_toc.htmhttp://www.rampumps.com/new
s/Y2k/survival_toc.htm
"Diatomaceous earth is approved by the USDA as an animal feed additive,
however I have found out that there are vast differences between various
forms of diatomaceous earth. Some DE products may not be effective in
controlling insects while others may be harmful to humans and pets. The
most important differences between individual forms of DE is the shape
of the diatom, content of Crystalline Silica, and the purity of Silica
Dioxide. The World Health Organization cautions that DE with a
crystalline silica content of three percent or higher is dangerouse to
humans (and probably pets and birds as well). Diatomaceous Earth used
in swimming pool filters has close to a 60% crystalline silica content.
I know of a product called Organic Solutions (insecticide) which is
approved by both the EPA and USDA and has a crystalline silica content
ranging between 0.36% to 1.12% according to its labels estc. It is
classified as Amorphous Fresh water Diatomaceous Earth (whatever that
means). However all literature I read assures it is safe for both
humans and animals and seems to be very effective at killing insects
...If you're interested in reading it too go to the Organic Solutions
website at http://www.BuyOrgs.com."
A lot of the issues related to the different grades of DE seem to be
related to the ingestion of DE. I assume there may also be concerns in
the handling of it also, wearing dust masks to avoid inhaling it. To be
on the safe side it appears that the food grade DE should be used. One
site recommended buying it at feed stores.
Adriana
Donna Fezler wrote:
>
> I would like to hear the rationale on food grade DE with some real science
attached.
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