This Sustainable House

Archive for the ‘Gardens’ Category

I have recently uploaded a new video on the Deep Water Culture (DWC) bed which is a part of the aquaponics system at TSH. This post outlines exactly how this element functions as a stand alone unit, and a later posts will integrate it within the whole.

Below is the week 3 video of the ongoing TSH Aquaponics Video Series. This week we are just checking on the growth of the plants, as well as checking out the new gravel grow bed.

Last weekend another gravel grow bed was added to the TSH Aquaponics system. As I built the bed I managed to have the foresight to take a few short video clips outlining the construction, and the principles involved. Enjoy!

Week 2′s video blog looks at the ongoing development of the DWC as well as a first view of the new fish tank arrangement.

Enjoy!

As regular readers of this blog are aware, a few months ago I instituted an aquaponics trial at TSH built in a few IBC’s (totes). The trial was about testing aquaponics as a system, as well as learning how to operate it. This initial trial system has been outstandingly successful, not withstanding a few errors along the way.

This video series will trace the aquaponics system over the next 10-12 weeks as I bring onboard a number of new elements such as new grow beds (including deep water culture) and improved fish tank designs. It will also demonstrate the amazing growth potential that aquaponics seems to be displaying no that the weather is warming up.

So without further ado, here is week ones installment.

Well the aquaponics system has been running for a couple of months, and the first feedback can be noted.

The biggest issue I have had with the system was an abundance of light making it’s way through the clear IBC’s leading to massive algal growth in the water. The water turned a bright green making it impossible to see the fish. This has been corrected by shading the sump tank, and painting the raft tank.

The ‘cost’ of destroying the algae, was that the dissolved oxygen (DO) of the system dropped rapidly leading to the death of a number of trout. As you might be aware, trout have a very high DO requirement and the rapid drop of DO due to decomposing algae was enough to cause some difficulties.There are still quite a few trout in the system, but approx 40ish were lost.

However, on the positive side, the bacteria in the system (which are the true work horses) have ‘cycled’ and are currently maintaining the ammonia and nitrite levels at very close to zero. Nitrate has been climbing, currently at approx 80ppm, though this isn’t too concerning at this stage. In fact, the plants have visibly grown in the past week demonstrating that they are enjoying the extra nutrient that is available. Today the beds were planted with some dwarf pea plants, and in the next few days another batch of lettuce will be planted into the raft tank.

I’ll keep updating you on the progress… both the highs & the lows.

One of the food production systems that I have been dying to try for many years is the concept of Aquaponics. Aquaponics is quite an advanced system in which we combine the best of aquaculture, growing fish and/or crustaceans, with hydroponics, growing plants in a soil-less culture. The reason that it works so well is that the plants feed on the wastes of the fish, essentially filtering the water before it returns to the fish tank. In fact, it is a touch more complicated than that (involving bacteria converting ammonia to nitrites then nitrates) however that’s the gist of it. The diagram below demonstrates the general principle.

Basic Aquaponics Cycle

The reason that have always wanted to try this system is because I feel that it can offer a lot of opportunities to the small-holder, or even householder, as one can grow a lot of food in a relatively small area. Read the rest of this entry »