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Found 17 results

  1. Parrothead

    Black Soldier Fly Larvae

    We just built two Black Solder Fly Larvae (BSFL) compost bins. One was made in accordance to specifications given to us by Olivier Crusoe, who runs an off-grid organic farm, about 1.5 hours from Battambang. I constructed the other, from a combination of images I found on the internet. Both types of construction will work, I imagine. I just want to try to guarantee a strong growth of BSF in this area. They are a very beneficial insect. They are also free protein for both fish and chickens. In my case, I can raise them, along with Duckweed, using both to feed my fish. It will, literally, cost me nothing to feed my fish. Here are those images now: Compost Bin 1: Concrete, Brick & Mortar Construction Information: The concrete, brick & mortar compost bin, you will see, has a moat around the perimeter of the group. This is to hold water, preventing ants from getting to the larvae and eating them. I still have to add a few small parts to complete this build. But, it is basically complete. Compost Bin 2: Plastic & PVC Construction This second compost bin didn't work out so well. And, the loop fasteners didn't work as intended, either. My suggestion, after having been successful at one complete life cycle of these flies (eggs are inside the compost bin now), is to go with option 1, above. Information: The hook fastener material is siliconed around the inside perimeter, to prevent the larvae from climbing out of the bin prior to maturity. The two ramps lead to two attached milk cartons, where the larvae will crawl up, once they have matured.
  2. Parrothead

    Resources for Aquaponics Farming

    PDFs / eBook Resources - You will see some great finds listed here. Aquaponic Gardening, Sylvia Bernstein: A Step-By-Step Guide to Raising Vegetables and Fish Together Aquaponic Gardening.pdf Backyard Liberty: The Smart, Easy Way To Food Independence BackyardLiberty.pdf Barrel-Ponics (aka Aquaponics in a barrel) - Travis W. Hughey Barrel-Ponics.pdf Practical Aquaponics (TotePonics v.4) - Murray Hallam's Practical Aquaponics (A MUST READ! VERY DETAILED!) TotePonicsVer4.pdf Aquaponics Common Sense Guide - Detailed time saving eBook for the newbie to aquaponics systems. Aquaponics_Common_Sense_Guide.pdf The IBC of Aquaponics - Exclusively about using IBC totes for aquaponics systems. IBCofAquaponics.pdf CTSA (Center for Tropical and Subtropical Aquaculture) How to Build and Operate a Simple Small-to-Large Scale Aquaponics System CTSA_aquaponicsHowTo.pdf Aquaponics Info - A great informational source for the newbie to Aquaponics. Marvin A. Hodges researched for over four months, initially, to gather all information contained in this file. (The attached updated PDF is from 2013.) Aquaponics Info.pdf Aquaponics Fact Sheet aquaponics_factsheet.pdf Small-Scale Aquaponic Food Production - I have the full 288 page version of this file. If you wish to download the full 42 Megabyte file, as well as all other PDFs in this post, you may do so from my DropBox Aquaponics files link, LOCATED HERE. Alternatively, the FAO site is linked below. i4021e00.pdf Home _Gardening_Cambodia.pdf - Home Gardening Cambodia - An EXCELLENT resource, which also gives you the months of the year, and which plants are suitable for sewing and reaping during each month. The calendar starts on pg 76 (pg 64 on the file itself). Websites FAO Website - Small-Scale Aquaponic Food Production (PDF) Information & Download Page Practical Aquaponics Backyard Aquaponics Top 7 Aquaponics Fish Species Recommended Plants and Fish in Aquaponics Sexing Tilapia: An Easy Way to Determine Gender The long and short of sexing Tilapia, is: YouTube Channels - All links are to each user's "videos" page. Rob Bob's Backyard Farming - Hobbyist / Self-sustaining Australian very knowledgeable about aquaponics. NorthernMonkey Mayhem - Great aquaponics resource. Good video on fill / drain through one pipe system and a single "U" siphon. Bright Agrotech - Commercial operation. But, good resource. Donald Porta - Has some very good videos on Aquaponics. Check his play lists to save time searching for them all. Murray Hallam Aquaponics - Naturally, we have to add this fellow's channel. He has some great information out there. (Commercial operation.)
  3. Parrothead

    New (Temporary) digs for the fry.

    The little guys (Tilapia fry) are about to out grow their current housing. That is the aquarium they have been in since Chan rescued them from the system filter. But, they are still too small to defend themselves against the larger fish in the fish tank. So, they can't go into the 1,000 liter IBC tote just yet. We cut a barrel, added an SLO (Solids Lifting Overflow) and a temporary filter made from a 20 liters (~5 gallon) bucket. This will work until I can get some glass panels to partition the aquarium into a sump / filter for the new barrel they will call home. A few fotos of the test run after completing the build yesterday.
  4. Parrothead

    Mistakes I made in my build.

    Those of you who have been following my "The Aquaponics Build" thread, know I have been working on my build for about one month, now. In fact, I should have my grow beds completed and attached to the system by month's end - if all goes well. However, this early on, I already know two mistakes I have made. Mistake 1: Not setting the level of the water high enough. At the moment, it is set at 800 liters. As shown in the image, I could have set the level higher, simply by drilling the hole higher. The main reason for setting the water level higher, by placing the Solids Lifting Overflow (SLO) higher, is to increase the volume of water pressure / volume flowing from the SLO, into the Radial Flow Filter (RFF). By not doing that, the top of the input in the RFF was very close to the height of the outflow point from the SLO in the fish tank. To help this a bit, I cut the vertical tube inside the RFF down a bit, about 10 cm. It appears to be functioning fine. But, I think it would perform better, if I were to lower the input tube a bit more. I will just cut another piece of 2" (55mm) PVC to test it with. If it doesn't make any difference, I can always put the existing tube back in place. Mistake 2: Not going with a proper fish tank, one that I could cut holes in and add windows to, in order to view the fish swimming inside the tank. The way my system is currently set up, I have to stand and look into the tank in order to view the fish while they eat or swim. This is taking a big part of what I love about fish, away from me. So, on my next system set up, I will pay the extra monies in order to buy proper fish tanks.
  5. Parrothead

    Skimmer added to fish tank.

    I was noticing Chan using a small fish net while looking into the fish tank, fairly often. I didn't realize that, for a while, she had been doing this to clean fish and food waste from the top of the water column. I looked at the tank after the next feeding. I noticed a large amount floating on and just under the surface of the water. I had been considering going with a skimmer for some time. But, at that time, I had not yet transferred the junior Tilapia to the tank with the larger fish. So, only ten fish were creating this massive amount of waste. I could only imagine what it would look like after I had over 50 fish in the tank. So, Tha came by and off to the hardware and plumbing stores he went. I decided to go with 25mm (1") PVC system, mainly due to the fact that I had a drain that wasn't really being used in the RFF (Radial Flow Filter). This would also prevent me from having to pop another hole in the RFF, AND would save me from having to use another 25mm (1") Uniseal. So, it was convenient - very convenient. To be perfectly honest, I waited to open the skimmer valve up until after a feeding, just so viewers can see how well it actually works. Take a peak now: A view of the pipe routing from the outside of the fish tank: What a new, unmodified 75mm to 25mm (3" to 1") PVC bell reducer looks like. The modified bell reducer we are using for the skimmer. It was taken from the bottom of the RFF, since we never used that to drain the filter anyway. Parts / Tools Required: 1 - drill motor 1 - file to smooth edges of PVC after cutting 1 - hack saw or PVC cutters 1 - 1 3/4" (44mm) hole saw with pilot bit 2 - 25mm (1") Uniseals 1 - 25mm (1") ball valve 1 - can of PVC glue. (Some folks use primer. I never have. As long as it is glued properly in the first place, PVC will not leak.) 1 - 75mm to 25mm (3" to 1") PVC bell reducer. I modified mine as you can see in the video. However, that isn't necessary for it to work. I feel it does function better, though, notched at the top (on the 75mm (3") end.) Several (I used 4, but depends on your tank / filter locations) 90° - 25mm (1") PVC elbows. A length of 25mm (1") PVC pipe. (This length, again, will depend on the distance between your tank and your filter. Stay tuned. Another addition-to-the-system write up coming in the morning.
  6. As they say, first things first. Step 1. The first totes were delivered today. One will be the first fish tank. The other will be a sump. Total Costs To Date: 2,500฿ ($71.00 USD) for each tote $10.00 USD Customs (they should have pulled a gun) $20.00 USD Tank delivery to Battambang. $24.00 USD (2 trips, one person) Taxi fare (travel expenses) to border and back. Total: $196.00 USD / ฿6911 THB / ៛802914.00 KHR Some good news is, the dealer we purchased the totes from will now deal with us via phone, in the future. If we need any further totes, they will ship them to us without having to return to the border to deal with them. ===================================================================== NOTE: This thread will offer information, images, and expenses involved in the planning, purchasing, labor, construction and planting, of a 3 meters by 4 meters aquaponics system located in Battambang, Cambodia.
  7. I would have never guessed. Got 11 kg from a recycling center today, at $.50¢ US per kilogram.
  8. andy

    Aquaponic find

    Today I was out and about, looking around Battambang, and what was I to stumble across, a new fully setup aquaponic's study venture. I was on the other side of the fence! I managed to catch the attention of the students, and express my knowledge and interest. Then I was told to meet one of them at the main gate, where I could go through security to be allowed inside. What an interesting setup, clean and simple. grow beds and Nutrient film technique (NFT). The mature students where keen to show me their workings and findings of the system. Plant life I was shown, from seeding and variable stages of growth. seedlings just planted this morning in the NFT. I must say I was impressed at the root systems and growth. Very healthy vegetables. The fish where impressive, so clean and healthy. Housed in their 1000lts IBC. The English of the students was fair! But I was glad my young lady came along. Any fine necessities in conversation where easily sorted. Next week I have an appointment with the tutor in charge.
  9. Just learned, 1,000 liters IBC totes can be found at the Thai - Cambodia Market on the Thai side of the border, near Pailin. They will deliver to Battambang for $100.00 USD, shipping included. Will be checking this out after getting settled at the new place. Considering the current USD - THB exchange rate, I am going to see if we can get two of them for 6,000 THB (~$168.00 USD), all in.
  10. Parrothead

    Aquaponics and Bees?

    During my initial seeking of bees and bee hives in Cambodia, I was bounced around from one Khmer to another, each offering to set me up with a hive, bees, etc. Not one of them came through. All ended up dead ends. In fact, I have only recently met a Khmer who is, like me, just now getting into beekeeping, and seems to be pretty serious about it. Fortunately, through him, I also have met a guy who lives in Siem Reap. He is a commercial beekeeper there, and seems to have quite a number of hives he looks after. He seems pretty switched on. He sells hives, supers, and bees, from what I have learned already. Not sure what else he sells, but will find out next week, while in Siem Reap. (I should be able to update this thread after then, with information I learn from him directly.) My primary reason for this is, I want bees at the farm to pollinate the plants. In fact, upon researching, you may be surprised as to how many different crops there are, that need to be pollinated by bees. Anyway, I want to have at least one hive in the same area as my aquaponics system. Then, set one hive outside the aquaponics area. The little gals can do the rest. I'm really pumped and excited about going to Siem Reap next week. I can't wait to see what else I learn.
  11. Parrothead

    Sourcing Barrels In Battambang

    Today, we went out and about looking to find price updates, primarily, on 50 / 55 gallon blue plastic barrels. When looking for these, one must exercise extreme caution. Some of the barrels you may come across, will have contained hazardous materials in them. This could be anything from acids, to resin colorants. Take note that these barrels will rarely still have the Haz-Mat labels on them. So, it may be a bit difficult to determine which ones contained chemicals, and which ones contained human consumption / safe products. One Haz-Mat chemical commonly found in these barrels, was "Reactint Black X77". I'm not going to research it. But, I know I do NOT want to use barrels that this was shipped in. When you open the bung on the barrel, you will find this chemical to look almost like the black ink in a writing pen. Fortunately, I was able to find some barrels that were only used to ship dish washing liquid soap. I figure, after a good washing or two, they should be fine to house fish, plants, etc. It gets better. Previously, the lowest price Chan had received while pricing these barrels a couple of years ago, was $25 USD. At that time, the prices were non-negotiable. Now, however, they are not only negotiable, but some negotiated lower prices themselves! The first place wanted $24.50, non-negotiable. (So, we were thinking prices had not changed on them, much.) He only had the chemical barrels though. Made it a point to tell Chan we would not find any cheaper, or any other types of barrels. (Right. Gotcha!) So, that was our clue to head off to the next supplier. About the second or third place we stopped, the man told us $21.25 for the soap barrels. However, when asked how many we would probably want (I told them six to start and asked if they would go to $20), they dropped the price to $19.50 per barrel. So, $117 USD will fetch us six barrels, a capacities of 208 liters (55 gallons) each. Ironically, although a bit smaller, 50 gallons, the barrels with the black lids on them are sold for a whopping $31.50 each!! I'm glad I am not in the market for them. Well, they would make for pretty good swirl or solids filter barrels. The containers, jugs? bottles? are sold at just under $1.00 USD each. (I believe the actual cost was 3,800r, each.) Might be an idea for later, if thinking about expanding and trying a different grow system.
  12. Parrothead

    Aquaponics Acronyms & Abbreviations

    Aquaponics Acronyms & Abbreviations AMM - Ammonia AP - Aquaponics BG - Bluegill BSF - Black Soldier Fly BSFL - Black Soldier Fly Larvae CF - Continuous Flow CHIFT - Constant Height in Fish Tank CHOP - Constant Height One Pump (means the same as CHIFT & PIST) CSA - Community Support Agriculture - An operation where the owner sells shares to customers who pay part or all of their membership up front, to supply operating capital for the year and get a share of the harvest in return. DO - Dissolved Oxygen DOC - Dissolved Organic Compounds/Content DW - Duckweed DWC - Deep Water Culture E&F - Ebb and Flow F&D - Flood and Drain F1 - First Generation. Often used when referring to a hybrid, but can also be used for a non-hybrid. FA - Filamentous Algae FRC - Floating Raft Culture FT - Fish Tank GB - Grow Bed GH - General Hardness or Greenhouse GPH - Gallons Per Hour GPM - Gallons Per Minute HPS High Pressure Sodium - A form of artificial lighting HSB - Hybrid Striped Bass IBC - International Bulk Container KH - Carbonate Hardness LMB - Largemouth Bass MBF - Moving Bed Filter MH Metal Halide - A type of artificial lighting NFT - Nutrient Film Technique NH3 - Ammonia, more specifically un-ionized ammonia NH4 - Ammonium - Ionized form of ammonia NO2 - Nitrite NO3 - Nitrate Nutes - Nutrients O2 - Oxygen ORP - Oxidation Reduction Potential PH - Potential of Hydrogen - The measure of acidity/alkalinity of a solution. PIST - Pump in Sump Tank PPM - Parts Per Million PPT - Parts Per Thousand PSI - Pounds per square inch PVC Polyvinyl Chloride - A rigid plastic material. Often used to refer to pipe used in AP systems RAS - Recirculating Aquaculture System RBC - Rotating Biological Contactor RDF - Rotating Drum Filter RFF - Radial Flow Filter RO - Reverse Osmosis SFG - Square Foot Gardening SG - Specific Gravity SLO - Solids Lifting Outlet / Overflow SMB - Smallmouth Bass ST - Sump Tank TAN Total Ammonia Nitrogen - The combined total amount of ammonia and ammonium present in the system TDS - Total Dissolved Solids UPS - Uninterruptible Power Supply UVL - Ultraviolet Light YP - Yellow Perch
  13. andy

    Aquaponics Explained

    In this post I will try to answer questions if I can? Help with the best of my knowledge if possible. Firstly I am not a full time 'Farmer'. In the 60s and 70s I worked as a kid on local farms to earn a little money. I came from a poor background. I have always worked hard and craved knowledge and learning. Like Kenny in the late 70s I was interested, and studied Hydroponics. But in later (self taught years). I saw the advantages, and challenging disadvantages of Aquaponics. Firstly. We must understand the basic needs of what a plant needs to live and grow. Water, Nutrients, Air, light, Temperature, space, and time. Water - To feed (just the same way, we need to drink) and used to carry the nutrients. Too little or too much water or nutrients can also be harmful. Nutrients - The most important nutrients for plants growing needs are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Nitrogen is necessary for making green leaves, phosphorus is needed for making big flowers and strong roots, and potassium helps the plants fight off disease. Temperature - Most plants prefer cooler nighttime temps and warmer daytime temperatures. Air and Light - Fresh, clean air and light are essential for healthy growth. Plants are the greatest consumer of solar energy, using power from the sun to mix up an energy rich meal. The process where plants make their own food is known as photosynthesis. Space and Time - Plants need room to grow. Without enough room, plants can become stunted or too small. Overcrowded plants are also more likely to suffer from diseases since airflow may be limited. Finally, plants require time and care. To go back and answer a question? Most seeds will be required to germinate in darkness. Paul mentioned lighting? Back in the early days, and still mostly now! The lights used for hydroponic growing would be very expensive 600w. With the new technology of LCD lights on the market, and now very good growing media available via the internet. I had returned some years ago to experiment with Hydroponic indoor growing again. The following photo's are of working prototypes. Drip feed and Flood and drain systems. This is a drip feed system to accommodate four young plants. When the plants grow too large they are moved into their own single unit. The pipes can be placed freely and water flow can be regulated via the taps. The pump works with a timer. The built in temperature gauge is nice useful feature. This is a Flood and drain system (without a Bell Syphon). Again the pump is on the timer! When the pump stops, the water flows back via the pump. Same concept, just slower return flow (use for large plant). Just some of the components needed to build. I use the air-stone in the grow bed to give more oxygen to the plants roots. This all works on the watering cycles, when the timer ends the pump and air stop too. Flower used to illustrate. LCD Light can be adjusted accordingly. All the parts I used to make the above prototypes are storage components, from a well known European furniture outlet! Now very well established in Thailand. Split from Aquaponics thread.
  14. Parrothead

    Best growing media in Cambodia?

    Been watching a lot of aquaponics videos on YouTube - hours and hours worth of them. One thing I have noticed among some of the Australian made videos, was the mention of something they kept calling "blue metal rock". I was thinking this was some kind of special growing media rock / stone. Never had heard of it before, even though I had spent some time in both Australia and New Zealand, years ago. So, I finally got around to taking a moment to look up "blue metal rock". Definition on Wikipedia: It seems to be nothing more than rock / stone used in concrete. That would be pretty commonplace here in Cambodia, I'm pretty sure. So, I don't see why it will not work for our grow beds. Anyway, that's the grow media I am planning on using at the moment. EDIT: In the states, I believe it is what we would call #57 rock, or stone.
  15. andy

    aquaponics

    I see back in December 2012 a small topic of aquaponics was addressed by jimmy boy! Has anyone any knowledge or success in this line of farming in Cambodia?
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