Hi,
Safety is something we don't talk about enough......see here.
Gary
Hi,
Safety is something we don't talk about enough......see here.
Gary
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." - Arthur Schopenhauer
www.microponics.net.au - for candid dialogue on integrated backyard food production.
www.urbanaquaponics.com.au - the home of the Online Urban Aquaponics Manual.
Good point Gary. That's a nice neat cover on your fish tanks. I have used solid hardwood stands on my growbeds, especially the barrel ponics systems that I have sold here in Brunei. My kids are now old enough to not fall into a tank but we have friends who visit with small kids and so I am always aware of safety issues.
Sadly though when it comes to my own safety, I am a bit more reckless and back in 2008 I lifted heavy bags of gravel to fill growbeds and gave myself a hernia. I had an operation to repair the hernia but the doc. warned me that I shouldn't lift heavy stuff again or I would get a hernia on the other side or break the stitches on the one he sewed up. (Another good argument you could use against deep gravel grow beds... ha ha)
A lot of people also don't realise the weight of water. My 200 litre drum swirl filters sit on hardwood stands made from 4 x 3 timber with diagonal bracing and galvanised bolts. Sturdy and solid because I don't want that weight of water falling from a metre onto anyone.
Dave
Hi Dave,
As you've identified, manual handling is certainly a safety issue with AP systems....and the weight of water (and gravel) leaves no room for sloppy construction.Sadly though when it comes to my own safety, I am a bit more reckless and back in 2008 I lifted heavy bags of gravel to fill growbeds and gave myself a hernia. I had an operation to repair the hernia but the doc. warned me that I shouldn't lift heavy stuff again or I would get a hernia on the other side or break the stitches on the one he sewed up. (Another good argument you could use against deep gravel grow beds... ha ha)
A lot of people also don't realise the weight of water. My 200 litre drum swirl filters sit on hardwood stands made from 4 x 3 timber with diagonal bracing and galvanised bolts. Sturdy and solid because I don't want that weight of water falling from a metre onto anyone.
Gary
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." - Arthur Schopenhauer
www.microponics.net.au - for candid dialogue on integrated backyard food production.
www.urbanaquaponics.com.au - the home of the Online Urban Aquaponics Manual.
With regards to the electrical safety. I think its fair to say that an RCD should be a mandatory requirement of any culture system where water and electricity are in close proximity, regardless of any other precautions taken. They don't cost a hell of a lot and theres no doubt that they save lives.
Good point. I am presently running a solar backup system that consists of 2 40Watt panels, a battery, a 12 relay triggered by a 12 volt power pack plugged into the power point that feeds my pumps and a 12 volt bilge pump.
Fortunately, I was given a rechargeable air pump that runs off a 6V lead acid battery when the AC goes down.
A mate is giving me an Industrial strength emergency power supply soon that will probably provide enough 240 to power my whole house for 24 hours.
dave
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