Debate 2 - Best Growing System

[GaryD]

Hi,

Which is the best growing system......and why?

GaryD

[DuncanC]

Are we talking flood and drain v constant flow. or a reticulating system v a non-reticulating system?

Personalyl flood and drain and reticulating. But I'm kind of biased as I'm building that kind of system as my first system.

[Murray]

It is true that there are many ways to do Aquaponics, but flood and drain using gravel grow beds is the least expensive way to go and has proven to be very reliable.
It just works !

In the time I have been involved in this wonderful thing known as Aquaponics I have observed many people trying "to reinvent the wheel" .
I think it is a part of our human make up, we are always trying to find different ways of doing things. That can be very good, but I say to anyone starting out, go for flood and drain using ordinary old gravel.
You will maximise your chances of success.
Later on when you have it running like clockwork, then start to experiment.
It is loads of fun.
Sorry Martin, I am getting a bit off topic about your system, so I will move this post a bit later.

[Jonathan Dyer]

Quote
Murray: “It is true that there are many ways to do Aquaponics, but flood and drain using gravel grow beds is the least expensive way to go and has proven to be very reliable. It just works !”

In fact “Floating Technique” (Similar to that of Virginia Islands) is by far the cheapest of all aquaponic based system. Yet, I agree flood and drain systems work, and work very well but there is room for improvement in all systems. We need to look at the defects closely to foresee any room for improvement, intern improving fish, plant and bacteria health that simply tweaks a good system into a perfect system.

I ask why do you promote so the “Flood and Drain” system over any other? (besides it diverse crops it can produce successfully lettuce/tomatoes/cucumber etc)

We all know that aquaponics dates back to the Babylonian times so there is nothing new about it but the technology we have today enables us to utilise and understand the principles behind aquaponics in a simple way and allows us to fully maximise the production of food.

[GaryD]

Hi Jonathon,

In fact “Floating Technique” (Similar to that of Virginia Islands) is by far the cheapest of all aquaponic based system.

While the floating raft technique is used by some people commercially (I don't know of any in Australia), it is very rarely used by backyard aquaponicists. I could count the numbers of people who do use it on the knuckles of one finger among the many dozens of systems of which I am aware. So, cheap or not.....it doesn't rate highly.

Yet, I agree flood and drain systems work, and work very well but there is room for improvement in all systems. We need to look at the defects closely to foresee any room for improvement, intern improving fish, plant and bacteria health that simply tweaks a good system into a perfect system.

I ask why do you promote so the “Flood and Drain” system over any other? (besides it diverse crops it can produce successfully lettuce/tomatoes/cucumber etc)

• no need for a separate bio-filter.
• more effective bio-filtration than with a continuous flow system.
• oxygenation equal to or better than with continuous flow.
• it can be used to grow most crops.....many simultaneously.

Of course, I'm happy to be corrected......if you can show me photos of a continuous flow system that is outperforming a flood and drain one.

We all know that aquaponics dates back to the Babylonian times so there is nothing new about it but the technology.....

Some us know no such thing. We believe that it might have been a form of hydroponics (and even that is subject to conjecture) that might have been used as a growing system in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

Gary

[Murray]

Speaking of "Floating Raft Technique"
Here are some photos of our latest products for Aquaponics.

Pix # 1 Grow trough = 5000mm long x 1250mm wide x 400mm deep holds approx 2500 ltrs of water.
Pix # 2 Two grow troughs packed going out to transport.
Pix # 3 Two of our new parabolic fish tanks ready for transport.
Pix # 4 Swirl filter.
Pix # 5 Particulate filter with bio balls and air injection chamber.
This product is going into a new farm venture.
All product for commercial systems or a really, really keen hobbyist

In Pix # 1 the Grow Trough is undergoing strength test and is filled with water sitting on top of hardwood batterns on the concrete. The hardwood batterns are place to simulate the grow troughs support pillars in the actual farm greenhouse. Tested A1.

[GaryD]

Hi Murray,

My, you have been busy.

Am I right in assuming that the UVI System provided the inspiration for these designs?

Gary

[Murray]

Yes Gary, there is nothing new under the sun.
The University of VI. Excellent example.

[fishfood]

Nice one murray if closer one of everything

[Martin A1]

Hi Murray, when time permits can you post some more pics and comments on the swirl filter and particulate filter with air injection thingy.....
Keen to understand what they are designed to do and how they do it. Maybe I can come up with a scaled down 'homemade' version of the concepts for my backyard systems one day?
Nice boat trailer... where's the boat?