DIY Aquaponics Systems For People

Learn To Do It Yourself

Yesterday in the ASC Community we proposed a question to people because we like to guage where the average thinking is. Many people come to the page because we post all kinds of information on sustainability and DIY projects. I think some of the info we post will become more valable as the days and months go by in the USA. 

This is the question we asked: 

"Can we ask how many people here would purchase an Aquaponics Set-Up off a distributor from $4000.00 to $10,000 if you could buy all the parts and do it yourself for about $500.00? Do you think the DIY Skills you would learn from doing it yourself would be far more valuble?"

We got an outstanding Do It Yourself and learn from the beginning. 

Here is a great comment from one of our community members: 

Chris said:  $500? I built my first system for a little under $200. and that included $120 for the 1000L tank. Since then I've expanded and rebuilt (bigger or more efficient or both) about 3-4 times, and I still dont think I've hit $500.

The trick is looking at what you have and being a little creative. 

I have a stand alone solar power system that generates more power than I can use so I brought 12v pumps from a boating shop, so my bilge pumps run about 750 Gal/hr, and I used 20L plastic containers from a local honey and health food outlet (Saved them from going into land fill) as my planter pots and a time clock to control when my pumps run and for how long.

Depending on your DIY skills and your creativity and initiative when sourcing materials you can build a system for anything from a few $$ for a really basic system up to as much as you want to spend.

Eg. a 'micro system' would only need a 20L bucket(or aquarium), an aquarium air pump and fittings, and a plant tray on top. You setup the bucket like an aquarium, and install the air pump so that is used ventury effect to drag water above the top of the bucket and into the plant tray. The water is filtered by the plant tray and drips back into the fish tank - bucket. Now feed the fish and let them feed you!

DIY For A Cheaper Aquaponics System 

You will need at least 3 IBC containers: 

One IBC for the fish tank, and the other 2 cut into grow beds and a sump tank. Buy FOOD GRADE tanks, second hand ones are obviously cheaper. You might want a 4th IBC for extra grow beds as the system matures. 

One big roll of HDPE piping 1.5 inches wide, along with some connectors and elbows, a good pump and some clay, gravel or other type of  growing media. 

IBC containers can be bought from anywhere $60.00 to $100.00 a piece. We got ours for $60.00 each.

Our pump cost us about $100.00 and we actually bought a bigger size than needed, so we had more water flowing to help create oxygen content back into the water. 

Our roll of HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) or (PEHD - Polyethylene High-Density)  piping cost us about $45.00 and we still have a ton of it left. 

The joints, elbows and extra's needed cost up to $50.00 for all kinds of things

We got a small load of gravel delivered which cost us about $100.00

So we actually spent close to $500.00 for a 1 tank, 1 sump and a 3 grow bed system.

There are a couple of other things you will need like: cinder blocks, old bricks or thick wood beams to sit the grow beds on. These can be free if you are smart and hunt around, maybe they are already in the backyard! Become a scrounger because junk yards, garage sales, habitat for humanity stores and other similar places can become great resources for building materials.

Free DIY Instructions

For those of you wanting some instructions on how to build your own system we have these plans you can try: This is the barrelponics system and the structure is a little different than IBC containers but still worth the effort of putting it all together and learning from scratch. 

So now I have to ask why does it cost $4000.00 and up to buy a similar system from a distributor? That's a pretty hefty markup!

Sure, anyone can go and buy a ritsy system with a nice set up and all you have to do is plug it in BUT many of our community felt that in the long run a person wouldn't learn that much. What will you do if there is a problem with the system, how will you know what to fix and of course the added COSTS. In this day and age when prices are becoming more difficult to live with, who can afford to invest $4000.00 plus dollars in a system that can be done for less than $500.00 at home?  

It seems to me that anyone who wants to learn how to grow with aquaponics will gain much more benefit by starting from scratch. If you still have two good hands, a brain and want to learn something, then YOU are the best teacher you will ever get to know. 

I know of a company who has a top range of $10,000.00 for an aquaponics system. Eeekk...run away people, thats just way too much money. For that hefty price I would expect the greenhouse, fish, food, start up nutrients and plants too. 

The problem we have is, Americans have become a nation of consumers. Many of the distributor aquaponics systems are specifically built on the premise that you will not want to build one for yourself. Building your own system is an opportunity to save some money for other things you may want to become sustainable.

Solar panels can create energy and help run the pump in the tank. You can make your own greenhouse for a couple of hundred dollars, so there's a nice home for your aquaponics system. Save your money for these kinds of items.

So why not build your own aquaponics system for 1/8 th of the cost?

As things become financially harder for many Americans, I can forsee huge numbers of people going back to DIY anything. I think this is great because it means the self taught experts, will soon become very valuable people to their community once again. 

Educators For Aquaponics Coming In 2014

Education Tempered With Ecology And Growing The Future

Over the past few months the ASC magazine has been contacted by a few different groups wanting to work with us in the Aquaponics industry. The ASCommunity really loves the idea of being able to contribute to the further education of people worldwide and helping them to grow their own food. 

Many of our experiences have led us to believe that if you want to really move ahead with something beneficial, then you just have to do it. No big debates, voting, waiting on others to come around, procrastination, ums and ahhs, just get it done! That's how the ASC Magazine came to be and it's turning out to be hugely successful because we just moved ahead with it. 

The Educators For Aquaponics Site would like to educate people the way most of us use the internet these days. You Tube Videos are fabulous but they still lack that classroom atmosphere that many people need to focus and learn from. We propose a virtual online school where someone who wants to teach aquaponics can do so through slide show presentations, online graphics, information packets that can easily be downloaded, one on one conversations, audience interaction and teaching videos. 

Join us here for updates: http://educatorsforaquaponics.com/

A business owner can also gain benefit by presenting his aquaponics or other type of sustainable business in a way that educates and inspires other people. This business owner would then become an authority in their local or state area which is always good for any business. People will continually to come back to a business if they see that what you are doing can help them too. 

A school educator can teach classes that will inspire and change the curriculum for many other schools worldwide. The ASC Magazine has been investigating aquaponics and farming being re-introduced into schools. From what we have seen with articles contributed from educators, this kind of learning is very beneficial to children and students alike. 

Online classes can be easily accessed by school students as many of the classrooms these days have computers in each room. We want to encourage more education programs within different USA states to help children use a great teaching program. This can benefit kids in a way where they have a better understanding of  biology, ecology, science, sustainability, technology and economics all rolled neatly into each other through the Educators for Aquaponics site. 

Learn at home in your pajamas if you wish. While travelling to conferences is a great resource for learning, the truth is that for many people the cost alone is no longer feasible. We have actually heard this complaint from many others in the community. People do not have the monies available for expensive hotel accomodations, extra food expenses, plane trips, fuel costs and time away from home. However with a virtual learning facility as close as your keyboard or other mobile device, you can learn in your home, in the park, at the beach or in the backyard.

The cost is minimal and therefore the learning experience is more effective to most people. We will also keep people up on upcoming classes and who will be hosting them.
You can sign up here: http://educatorsforaquaponics.com/

Educators for Aquaponics is a new way to teach and educate all people back into farming and sustainability.

Hope to see you in 2014... 

Joel Salatin in the ASC Magazine for November

Joel Salatin and Educating Our Kids

This November the ASC Magazine will be highlighting an article written by Joel Salatin. Joel is a best selling author, international speaker and owner of Polyface Farms.

After meeting up with Joel at the Aquaponics Association Conference I asked him if he would be interested to write an article for our magazine.

Joel said "Yes I think I can do that," and wrote us a fantastic article about creating a bio-mimicry food system. He is a very friendly man and some of his E-Mails back and forth, had me laughing really hard. I love that down to earth, keep it real in people...

I have been a longtime fan of Joel's because many of his methods for growing food and raising farm animals I personally agree with. Heck, I grew up with chickens, ducks, horses, cows and sheep. We had a creek filled with Yabbies that we often caught and bought home for dinner. We had an abundance of wild rabbits that helped put food on the table too.

Looking back on my own childhood, I think I can honestly say these were some of the best educational years of my life. That's why in the November ASC Magazine we have asked a couple of schools to show us what they are doing in the way of educating kids about aquaponics and farming.

When you think about it, a child can learn very important lessons in regards to old fashioned farming and aquaponic growing. Below are just a couple of good points in favor of educating children this way:

Biology...learning about physical make-up of fish and animals.

Science...The understanding and importance of microbes, nematodes, oxygen, nitrogen, soil, water, plants, ammonia and how everything works together in nature.

Technology...water pumps, water flow and all kinds of electronic devices for aquaponics and farming equipment.

Mathematics...children learning how many seedlings they may need to plant in a square foot area. How many fish will someone need to grow produce in their aquaponics systems versus fish tank water volume. Sounds like math to me.

English...Learning to write better by keeping a diary of daily events and happenings. Keeping a record of agricultural endeavours can be very fulfilling. This can teach kids to write great stories and even turn out to be authors. Now imagine that...

Our kids can reap the rewards of better education through teaching them about simple things that many of us may have  forgotten. In just one generation most of us have become unaware of how to farm and grow food. What our parents and grandparents once did out of neccessity is now almost unheard of. We absolutely have to bring that back to our children and education is the key...

Full Circle and the Rhythm of Life

Humanity has just about gone full circle with the back to basics for living, eating and educating. There are many people deciding to go back to the land because they see the long term benefits. 

When we are gone who will be there to show children how to grow their own food? I have a beautiful little grandson who is 4 months old and I want him to know how to look after himself when I am no longer here. Aren't our kids worth it?

Most people are waking up to the fact that growing their own food is once again a neccessity for living healthy. So why not join the every growing array of people from every corner of the earth, who are learning, growing and enjoying the magazine every month?

The ASC Writers

We have a great team of writers who do an amazing job regarding their articles. I have been very proud of the different writing styles. These are dedicated people who are trying to make a difference with their own form of educating the public. We write on alternative growing, organic foods, education with aquaponics, permaculture and solar.

The ASC Magazine can now stand on it's own merits for helping to educate and informing a whole new generation of people.

Subscribe Here to the magazine. If you choose not to subscribe but would like to purchase back issues of the magazine you can do so here: Get The ASC Magazine Back Issues

Warm Regards

Victoria

Real Sustainability For The Future

Start Growing Your Own Food Now

As things really start to degrade across the USA, one thing becomes apparent; people need to make sure they have their own healthy food supplies readily available. 

I read somewhere that Monsanto is about to receive this years  “Nobel Prize of Agriculture.” 

How can this be? The way Monsanto creates seeds makes the very protein inside of the seed toxic to everything, including the human gut. 

If you haven't seen Dr Thierry Vrain's  video on this subject about gene mutation I suggest you watch it. He should know about seeds because he was once a scientist himself who studied nemotodes in the soil and the genetics of seeds.   The video is about an hour long but well worth the eye opening education he teaches. 

The only way people can really make sure their family are eating better foods is to grow their own. No matter what you see labelled in the stores, USDA Organic labels can mean just about anything now. I'm not trying to scare anyone but rather give people the facts. 

Just because you hear something from an official representative, doesn't mean it's true. How many times have we been told something from our local, state and federal representatives only to find out we have been lied to? Think about what is being told to you, do some of your own research and then draw upon a conclusion you feel is right for your family. 

Check out this site directly from the Federal Register about the National Organic Program-Sunset Process: Click Here

So what can a person do to make sure their food is safe? 

Aquaponics is a fantastic method of growing,  where a person can feel safe in knowing they are eating healthy foods. There are some things upfront you should know before spending money. 

I would strongly encourage people to educate themselves first about the biology and technology needed to maintain a succesful system. Too many times people jump in head first and quickly become frustrated with the process of aquaponics. 

It's not hard to manage aquaponics but don't spend wasted money, you  may need later for purchasing kits and fish. You don't need to spend a fortune to have a successful system either. Aquaponics can be interesting and educational for everyone. For the most part you can make the set up process fun for you and the kids. 

Figure out where you are going to be keeping the system first like a greenhouse, basement or garage. Then ask yourself some of these questions before setting up any system:  

• How many people in the family will you need to feed?
• How many grow beds and fish tanks will you need to sustain the family?  
• What are the average temperatures in your area? 
• Does it get really cold or hot where you live? 
• What fish species will you be raising?
• Can you get a healthy supply of local fish? 
• Do you understand the science, biology and basic health care for fish?
• What is the right sized water pump needed?  
• Will you be using PVC or HDPE and what's the difference? 

If you haven't already read the Essential Fish Care In Aquaponics I suggest you take a look. The book gives readers a good understanding of the basic science and biology needed to raise healthy fish. It also goes over subjects like natural feeding, ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, water and oxygen which are also important. There are 13 good reviews and many people have found it to be a very useful guide to have around. With about 65 pages it's not a long read but a rather a worthwhile one. 

We also encourage people to sign up to receive the ASC Magazine each month. We will send you a  great online E-Magazine filled with information and stories from people who are growing food in the aquaponics industry. 

We also have a regular staff of people who are teaching others about natural products, permaculture, technology and other ways to grow food. 

The ASC Magazine is dedicated to teaching people how to become more sustainable. It is a good deal at $2.97 a month. The cost alone, makes this magazine an awesome price.  It will cost you less than one cup of coffee at Starbucks.  

You can subscribe here: Click this link 

Start growing your own food now. It is the only real way you can be sure of what you are eating. Take a look at some of the information on the community website when you have a free minute. Read some of the other information there we encourage all people to know about GMO and building real sustainable communities. 

Warm Regards

Victoria Kelley 

Lunch With Joel Salatin

A Lunch I Will Never Forget

On Saturday 09-21-2013 my husband and I were sitting at the back table inside of the grand ballroom at the Loews Ventura center. We were waiting to hear the Aquaponics Association speaker Joel Salatin come up to the stage. I knew who he was and I admired his work and passion.

We were in the midst of listening to a speech given by James Hollyer about food safety (which my husband already knew a lot about because of once being in the restaurant industry), a man sat down next to me in the empty chair. No big deal just move your stuff over a bit and let him have some leg room Victoria.

At first I had no clue who he was and asked him "Do you have enough room to sit?" as I moved my notepad over for the man to have some extra space. "Yes I'm fine thanks." The man pulled out his notebook and started to make some notes about the lecture being given.

Once the lecture was over, Casey told the audience, lunch was being served in the foyer and there would be a 30 minute break. I still had no idea who was sitting next to me until the man stood up and I could see his name tag and read Joel Salatin. I then happily introduced myself along with the ASC Magazine and asked him if he would consider writing us an article at some point. I then left the business stuff alone and decided to have a NORMAL conversation with Joel Salatin.

I asked Joel how did he like the Tucson heat? He said he wasn't going outside for that reason (96 degrees on Saturday) and I agreed that was a smart move. Then we moved into conversations about the Australian heat, what part of Australia I was from, how rich the mining was in Australia, the changes in the land with fracking, bad erosion in New Zealand and how much Joel really enjoyed Australia and New Zealand. "I really love that Australian accent, it's so refreshing." he said.  Did I just score some brownie points on the accent? Or maybe we were having a great conversation because I treated Joel Salatin just like a regular guy.

Mike and I went off to get some lunch and came back to the table. Joel came back with his plate and sat down with us and the conversation started up again with Joel, Mike, me and Glen Martinez from Olomana Gardens.

Glen already knew Joel from other conferences and there was some reminiscing and laughs between the two. You know Joel Salatin is a pretty nice and very approachable man.  The lunch conversation started out with farms and the deadly bacteria's that now exist in food like E-Coli and Listeria. There were all kinds of comments back and forth where these bacteria came from and the whole food safety speech.

In chimes the young woman at the table "I just love your work and I have all of your books Mr. Salatin and we are big fans," with the big eyes and tilted head smile, as she ate 2 lettuce leaves and 3 slices of tomato for lunch. (The rest of us were eating a good lunch composed of rolls, meats, salads and cheesecake.)  Joel smiled politely and gave a very quick "Thank you, that's very much appreciated" and moved back to the conversation with myself, Mike and Glen.

Most of the time if you treat famous people like you have known them all your life, you are more likely to have a great conversation with them. Many of them don't want to be ogled over, they just want to be treated like everyone else.

Growing Up and Remembering

I made a few comments about how it was when I was growing up, "I was raised on a sheep farm with over 1500 head of sheep. I used to dislike it when the cattle trucks came in and hauled the sheep away. They used to cram the sheep in with their necks sticking up high and all squashed together. Hauling sheep for hundreds of miles in that condition."

"My mother had a big vegetable patch and we used a lot of dried out sheep poop in the garden. We also had chickens, ducks and horses. I never even knew what bacteria was and no-one ever was sick from eating our vegetables. The farms used to trade and share produce and the chickens would run loose in the garden and no-one ever considered separating one animal area from another. They just all got along" There were heads nodding and comments made about their farms being about the same, as they remembered.

I then said "I never had an allergy until I came to live in America. Up until then I was free of swollen eyes, sensitive skin and sinus issues." Again there was more head nodding and uh-huh noises made as we ate lunch.

When Joel Salatin gave his speech to the Aquaponics Association one of his opening lines was "That some of us grew up on farms, never even knowing what the word bacteria meant." I just smiled because I guess what I said resonated with him.

I was very glad I had the opportunity to meet and have lunch with Joel Salatin. He is just an average, down to earth, easy going man. He has a common sense approach to farming, bacteria and getting back to the land. I totally agree with what he says too.

Our society has become so disconnected that we are afraid of germs, bacteria and we have separated everything that helps the natural cycles of things work the way they are supposed to. I have to say it, official personnel and science don't know everything, as a matter of fact they have got a lot wrong. You only need to see GMO to know it's all screwed up. Joel Salatin lets his pigs go wild in his compost pile to make it better. I am sure food safety people would have a heart attack over this.

You know what? Our bodies are made up of thousands of different bacteria and Joel is right about mixing things up. It is the separation of this animal from the other one that causes the problems. Cows were supposed to go into the corn occasionally, just like my mothers chickens went scratching around in her vegetable garden patch. You are supposed to get dirty and have bacteria on your hands, clothes and body. How can we ever fight infections if our bodies don't know some of these bacteria's?

The Moral of The Story: 

Be real with people. Use a more common sense approach to life. Have good down to earth conversations. You never know how many people you can reach with information about aquaponics, gardening, permaculture farming and living healthy lives.  I learned something wonderful from Joel Salatin...just be yourself. 

Thanks for the memory and I hope we can do it again one day!