LFCummins - Dallas, Texas

[LFCummins]

Hello All
Going to give a quick summary of where I am in regards to aquaponics systems. What I am up to and plans for up coming systems.

I made my first system in July, it was small using poly barrels. It was a rousing sucess for being so little as it was a just a hobby attempt. Currently this system is in pieces, since winter is here.

About August I discovered this site. Saw what I thought would be a soultion to our drought problems to our real garden which died every year here. Got some great advice and information sources. Forum member who is close, allowed a visit and he gave great advice. Got better ideas for this temperate zone.

Using the pieces from the above system, plus what we have purchased. We are ready for our second system. A more serious try to suppliment our food costs actually producing good amounts of fish and edible plants. This is expected to be running Feb when fish arrive. We considered this to be expandable by adding (4'x6' or 4'x8') beds that we can use in our final design.
CURRENT SYSTEM TOTALS
FISH TANK 210g
IBC Tank bottom 210g (36" x 46" x 31")
GROW BEDS 165g
IBC Tank top 55g (36" x 46" x 8")
4-Poly Barrel half 27.5g (36"L x 11"HD)
BIO-FILTER 55g
1-Poly Barrel (23"D x 36"H) 55g

Serious considerations are in the works for a pernamate system for year round production of fish and plants. It will require planning of both Greenhouse and system designed for capacity of space. I intend to begin snail paced construction soon, with the greenhouse being completed by Sep-Oct.

To aid me in this, Ive decided to simply reply to this thread over and over with questions. As there is no reason to post everywhere, specially since its all about my garden plans.

Love to hear your advice or suggestions.
Wish me luck.

[LFCummins]

BEDS

- Can beds be against the extieror wall of a greenhouse without harming the plants ?

-When building beds that can only be reached from one side what would be the max or ideal width ? 24" 36" 48" ?

[fishfood]

BEDS

- Can beds be against the extieror wall of a greenhouse without harming the plants ?

-When building beds that can only be reached from one side what would be the max or ideal width ? 24" 36" 48" ?

Beds up against something should be no more than 24 in [depends what you are growing ] lettuce 36 ok but who said lettuce this bed only 24 in thickness of toms is the max you would want
Just my thoughts others may think different

[GaryD]

Hi Leon,

For my money, the optimum width of a grow bed is 4'......that gives you useful width while still being able to easily reach the middle from either side.

I agree with FF.....if the bed is up against the wall, I'd go for 2'.....for easy management.

Gary

[LFCummins]

Thanks.

I will use it as a design rule then. Building my "Aqua Bible" as a goes by.
2' for beds against a wall (single side acess) and 4' for the other. (I like the idea of 4' beds since plywood is 4").

QUESTION
What is a comfortable spacing between plant beds?

Since all of you have many beds and have worked between them many times. It would be good to know what is considered to be a good spaceing to move up an down the row of beds and harvest from, move other beds in and out, or equipment. Things to consider when planning. Lot easier to address now.

Thanks again, it is nice to have reliable, useful information, advice and suggestions from real people with actual expierence and knowledge. Specially from those that can actually communicate those ideas. Some of these professors can sure " techno" the information beyond understanding. .... Thank you all

[fishfood]

Bed spacing 40 in is ideal but if you do not have a lot of room then 24 in bare minimum because remember the plants will hang over the bed sides

[LFCummins]

Been steadly into the reseach, pricing and all.

Just found out I have to "permit" a green house - cause im in the city limits. The shed I replaced the last week got me fined. (store bought metal shed 8x10). If I want to add a row or 2 of cinder block around the base - it requires plans submitted to the Planning Commission, inspections ... course each requires money.

What a Crock.

[LFCummins]

CHANNEL CATFISH

FOOD : Pellets
HARVEST :
Environmental requirements
Optimum growth: 28-30°C
Optimum spawning & embryo development: 25-27°C
Dissolved oxygen: > 4.0 mg/l.
Gas (e.g. Nitrogen) supersaturation: < 115%
Carbon dioxide: <15 mg/l
Hydrogen sulfide: <1.0 mg/1
Salinity: <5 ppt
pH: 6.5-9.0
Total alkalinity: 50-100 mg/l
Total hardness: 50-100 mg/l
Total ammonia nitrogen (TAN): <0.5-1 mg/1

Is that information correct ?
And can someone provide the same information For
BLACK CRAPPIE and or fast growin sunfish of some type/ Im looking for a second fish for the top half of a tank since catfish stay near bottom

[LFCummins]

So no one can tell me if that Catfish information is correct ?

[Ravnis]

looks similar to other listings I have seen posted on marine biology sites.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa010

http://aquanic.org/publications/state/ga/catfish.htm

Main reason I decided against catfish was that they are not tolerant of salt and that is the main treatment for disease that we have to work with. The Temperatures that they can live with is great. Would not require much heating to overwinter a stock and can get good growth most of the year in texas.