Aquaponics "Mythconceptions"

[Dufflight]

One example is grow bed depth. We debated it here on this forum before and at the end of it 300mm was agreed as a safe depth. The debate ends but reapears later as a Mythconception. You were involved in the original debate and now its re-hashed. Has that thread been deleted or changed cos if you go back and re-read it we covered all the pro's and con's. I like them to be deeper, you prefer them to be smaller. But if a beginer askes I always say play it safe.

[mornings]

But if a beginer askes I always say play it safe.

Duff,

This would seem always to be a good advise. But isn't it relative? I mean, if a beginner were to really play it safe, if we were to suggest that they do so, would we even recommend growing fish? From my point of view, we would not.

This is not to argue with your statement or your admonitions to beginners, but to point out, we all proceed from assumptions (even me). It is almost impossible to think without making assumptions and yet, assumptions get us in more trouble, disputes, wars, etc, than any other mental device (correlations are a close second).

Very often, we even embed our assumptions in definitions so that there can be no arguing. If one says. "aquaponics is only fish and plants", well, that's the end of it isn't it? Then, someone says, "no, we can include any sort of aquatic life"; some idiot then says, "what about worms"? They are not by definition aquatic, but they live in water and have many advantages over fish (one of them being lower risk)". Assumptions.

Like it or not, We all must proceed from assumptions. A more precise word would be premises. Strangely, few will even admit that they have made assumptions or started with premises, much less examine them.

You see, it all depends upon what we want to do -- typically, our most basic assumption. And what we want is totally subjective, not arguable, not rational either. And, we like to think that what we want to do is logical, reasonable and, therefore, universal. The fact is, we don't determine what we want logically. But, after the fact, we use logic to rationalize or justify what we wanted to do at the get-go.

I'm not sure I would be as bold as Gary to call the various premises that are used in aquaponics, misconceptions or myths. But, we should be careful to, as Ayn Rand used to say, check our premises. I would add too that we should examine our premises to make sure we have not included our egos in them -- our pride, our prejudices, our preconceptions . . . In fact, as our premises invariably determine the outcome of any project, we would do well to always examine closely our premises before we advance any proposition or idea.

m

[GaryD]

Hi Dufflight,

One example is grow bed depth. We debated it here on this forum before and at the end of it 300mm was agreed as a safe depth. The debate ends but reapears later as a Mythconception. You were involved in the original debate and now its re-hashed. Has that thread been deleted or changed cos if you go back and re-read it we covered all the pro's and con's. I like them to be deeper, you prefer them to be smaller. But if a beginer askes I always say play it safe.

I've never argued against the proposition that 300mm wasn't safe....but rather that it wasn't essential or even necessary in many cases.

These things will continue to be debated and this is in the interests of newcomers because they will come to understand that there is some effort required to learn aquaponics if it is going to be done properly.

None of those threads have been changed or deleted because I don't change or delete technical information......just irrelevant rants, bad language or personal remarks.....as you are aware.

Gary

[Murray]

None of those threads have been changed or deleted because I don't change or delete technical information......just irrelevant rants, bad language or personal remarks.....as you are aware.

And anything you don't agree with or shows up your often irrational logic.

300mm deep grow beds are proven over many years to be the optimum depth for general use in home media based systems, and as many well experienced AP practitioners have stared many times, other depths will work too, but the optimum depth is undoubtedly 300mm.

There is actually nothing to debate on this issue. Use whatever depth you feel good about, but best long term results will be obtained in a domestic situation by using 300mm deep (or deeper) grow beds.

[Dufflight]

Duff,

This would seem always to be a good advise. But isn't it relative? I mean, if a beginner were to really play it safe, if we were to suggest that they do so, would we even recommend growing fish? From my point of view, we would not.

But this being an Aquaponics forum. With one of the main things being fish and plants we tend to want to have fish. I don't mind other ways of growing plants and even pure aquaculture as long as I can utilize the waste. But I understand where your coming from. If I was on a Holden forum, I'd be telling them all to drive Fords like normal people.

[GaryD]

Hi,

But this being an Aquaponics forum.

APHQ is, and has always been, about integrated backyard food production (microponics).
Microponics embraces aquaponics but also acknowledges that aquaponics is not the only way that fish and plants can be sucessfully integrated. It also seeks to integrate micro-livestock with the fish and plants.....and worms are micro-livestock.

Gary

[Dufflight]

Then you need to change the name. Aquaponics HQ Forum, gives the impression its an Aquaponics forum.

[Murray]

APHQ is, and has always been, about integrated backyard food production (microponics).

Actually that is not really correct, it was very definitely set up as an Aquaponics Forum, info about Quail and chooks was added but the thrust was always Aquaponics until I handed over the running of this forum to you when you then added numerous other titles and adopted the term "Microponics"

If what you claim were to be true , wouldn't it be helpful to everyone to undergo a name change ..perhaps to "Microponics" MPHQ

You have a blog named "Microponics" perhaps you could shift the forum to there and run under that name.

Just a suggestion.

[GaryD]

Hi Murray,

Your recollection is incorrect.

If you look through the Introduction section you'll see that APHQ was always about "aquaponics and related food production matters." One of the largest threads was about Japanese quail and that dates back to the time that the forum was started.

While I appreciate your advice on how to best manage APHQ, I respectfully suggest that your efforts would be better directed toward improving PAP.

There will be no name change.

.....until I handed over the running of this forum to you

I'll remind you (and publish the emails that prove it if you wish) that you didn't hand over anything.

APHQ only survived our separation because I insisted on it......you wanted to shut it down. It was only when I made it clear that our members would not think kindly of you for trashing their input, that you agreed to relinquish your share. I also met all costs for the forum back to the day it started.

Gary

[GaryD]

Hi Dufflight,

Then you need to change the name. Aquaponics HQ Forum, gives the impression its an Aquaponics forum.

Aquaponics HQ is, like Microponics, about aquaponics......and much more.

Thanks for your suggestion......but the name stays.

Gary