PatioPonix Starter Unit With Design Improvements.
Since my last blog, I have learned a lot from mistakes that I made along the way. Also, I made changes to my PatioPonix design (yes, it has a name now.) A local company showed interest and encouraged me to build them a unit which they will use to try and sell my design, so my second unit is done and delivered. The design moves the sump and fill lines to the outer corners freeing up space in the trays.
Pen Truth Editor
Well, first what is “Aquaponics?” I can give you a detailed explanation, but this blog is just a quick introduction to my Aquaponics project, so I will give you the Wiki version of Aquaponics:
“Aquaponics /ˈækwəˈpɒnɨks/ is a sustainable food production system that combines a traditional aquaculture (raising aquatic animals such as snails, fish, crayfish or prawns in tanks) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a symbiotic environment. In the aquaculture, effluent accumulate in the water, increasing toxicity for the fish. This water is led to a hydroponic system where the by-products from the aquaculture are filtered out by the plants as vital nutrients, after which the cleansed water is recirculated back to the animals”
Simple. I have two systems going right now, one in a 54 gallon plastic tote and a smaller “Patio” unit with a 27 gallon tank. The patio unit, I designed for small homes such as Condos, Townhouses and Apartments with small patios. An important factor for this design was aesthetics, I wanted it to look nice and double as a water feature.
The system is working well and the water flow in excellent. This unit is a full time flood system, but I do have a timer and will experiment with cycling the water later on.
The fish tank was primed using a quick start solution and feeder guppies. I do have baby Tilapia given to me by a local Aquaponics supply store, (thank you Gro Pro.)
In the works are two larger Patio Units with larger tanks and a design for vine plants and platforms for melons and such. I also plan on raising Fresh Water Prawns and Cray Fish as well as these are also good eating.
I have found several large tanks which are reasonably priced in the 100 gallon to 350 gallon range which will be perfect for large backyard projects.
As my skills in hydroponic and aquaculture develop I will post my experiences, failures and successes.
The Sun In Ultraviolet
Now, this is what really bothers me about scientific discoveries in general. In 1995, the astronomers at Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona claim they had discovered water in the form of steam on the sun. OK, here is the problem with that; The temperature at which water molecules split to oxygen and hydrogen, “thermally decompose” (a process called thermolysis) is 2000 °C.
Pen Truth Contributor
OK. I waited until everyone was done with their dinner hour. Ready for a Vegan Diet? After this you just may be. When it was discovered in the 1950s that by putting antibiotics in chicken feed chickens grow faster with less food saving lots of money, they started feeding chickens antibiotics. As early as 1952 researchers were already warning of the possibility of creating antibiotic resistant bacteria in chickens and putting the public at risk, something that the public has only been aware of in the last ten to fourteen years. Also, it turns out that since the 1940s, some ranchers in the chicken industry have been feeding chickens a dangerous poison to kill parasites. The poison? Arsenic.
