A response to a PM in Taiwan

[Nelson]

Re: Aquaponics in Taiwan

Hi Neighbour,

I know Hukou very well and visit often as it's my wife's hometown.

I built my small system as an experiment and to get a feel for how difficult (or simple) AP really is. Unfortunately, just as I finished the hardware, I had to return to the UK for a couple of months.

My system: http://www.aquaponicshq.com/forums/s...ghlight=nelson

As soon as I get back I’m gonna fire it all up and start in earnest.

I have learned a lot from just building my small system and would be happy to chat about my experience when I return to Taiwan.

I should be back from the UK in a couple of weeks or so...

There are thing’s I’d do differently if I were starting again and will probably modify my existing design to make it more reliable, starting with the auto siphon…

Another thing that I don’t get is, the amount of chemistry going on with this forums members. They’re all chucking all sorts of chemicals into the fish tank by the bucket load and using all manner of sophisticated testing kits to monitor the water quality.

How people can hail this as the solution to third world starvation when your typical village in Africa would not have access to these maintenance chemicals and testing facilities.

When I started out on my AP journey, it all seemed so simple. You feed the fish, the fish produce waste, the waste feeds the plants and in the process clean the wastewater and return it to the fish. In reality, it would appear that the fish and plants are doing more gear than Tony Montana on a bad day!

I’m gonna start simple with no chemicals or testing and see how I go. If everything dies then, you’re welcome to make me an offer for my system…

Regards,

Nelson

[GaryD]

Hi Nelson,

Your neighbour has a good sense of humour.

When I started out on my AP journey, it all seemed so simple. You feed the fish, the fish produce waste, the waste feeds the plants and in the process clean the wastewater and return it to the fish.

This is the mantra that advocates of the basic flood and drain aquaponics system have been flogging to newcomers (along with their "turnkey" kit solutions) since Day 1.

No-one who runs a commercial aquaponics system ever said that (and survived the first month) and I've never heard a researcher say it. Most of those who have enjoyed long term success with backyard systems would not agree with the mantra either.

It comes from the need to impress on system purchasers "how easy it is".....as part of the sales pitch by kit suppliers.

You can set a system up so that it is "easy".....but it won't look like anything that you'll buy from most kit suppliers.....and it probably won't produce much either.

Aquaponics is like any other sort of farming. Successful aquaponics requires knowledge, skill and a commitment to the best interests of the fish and plants in your care.

Gary

[jonesalden]

Hello everyone..I am new member to this forum.I am glad to join this forum.

[Cecil]

Hello everyone..I am new member to this forum.I am glad to join this forum.

Welcome! Tell us about yourself and your goals! Where are you in the U.S? I'm in northeast Indiana.

[Pugo]

jonesalden
Welcome to APHQ! I am sure you will enjoy the forum very much.. So many friendly and helpful members here..

[Ralgat]

Gary,

I think you are trying to say something here:

"No-one who runs a commercial aquaponics system ever said that (and survived the first month) and I've never heard a researcher say it. Most of those who have enjoyed long term success with backyard systems would not agree with the mantra either."

but I also think you are masking what you really intend. Perhaps I am too dense. Could you elaborate on this slightly?

Ralgat

[Pugo]

Seems easy enough to understand to me.. All he said was it is not as easy as it looks. Really that is something that all of us have learned after starting a system.

[GaryD]

Hi Ralgat,

but I also think you are masking what you really intend. Perhaps I am too dense. Could you elaborate on this slightly?

It's pretty straightforward. Contrary to the simplistic suggestion made by some people that......."You feed the fish, the fish produce waste, the waste feeds the plants and in the process clean the wastewater and return it to the fish".....aquaponics is like any other sort of farming. Successful aquaponics requires knowledge, skill and a commitment to the best interests of the fish and plants in your care.

Gary

[Ralgat]

Thank you Gary and Pugo. I am not sure where my mind was taking me while I read your reply. I think I was waiting for a discourse on why chemicals need to be in the system. I have been struggling with a small system for about 18 months now and although a beautiful concept that I will continue to follow and will definitely expand, it is not totally self-maintaining. As the seasons change, so does the attention to the system.

Hoping to remain as organic as possible,
Ralgat

[jobney]

You could just turn it into an aquarium you did not need to do water changes on by planting something that you don't need to harvest.