Aquaponics in Uganda

[JonzyHick]

I work for a company that builds commercial solar arrays and we have a great volunteer opportunity in Uganda. We will be building an Aquaponics system powered by solar in Uganda to feed the local population.

I want to build a system that will have 7 days of autonomy with the following components:

550 gal fish tank (55gal barrels)
500gal of grow beds (with expansion to come later)
Laguna MAX-FLO 900 (rated at 899 gph)
(8) T-145 6volt 370Ah batteries
Tri-star TS-45 charge controller
(4) Kyocera 210watt solar panels

We will be using 55 gal drums for the fish tanks with one barrel for a biological filter/sump. “Down spout” drain pipes (4” square) for our grow beds. NFT will be used in the grow beds.

I have built my own system using 275gal tote tanks and 55gal barrels and it works great. I want to see if anyone has made an off grid Aquaponis system and what issues you have had with them. If you want anymore info on the project go to www.ecolifefoundation.org

Jones

[Murray]

Welcome,
Good project.
Solar is very possible and a good way to go. Initial cost is the only problem for most folk.
There are a number of off grid systems that I know of in outback Australia so it will work. Still advisable to have a small diesel gen set for standby power.

[JonzyHick]

I hope it will turn out ok. I would like to know what issues other solar powered systems face and what was done to fix them. Uganda will be unforgiving to the unprepared.

BTW, your site has been amazing. Ever issue I have come across with my own system has been fixed by watching your DVDs and reading the forums

[toraman]

Sounds like an amazing thing to be involved in. Just wondering where your actually going to install it as maybe a security fence etc needs to be considered. I imagine those expensive solar panels and deep cycle batteries would even be a tempting target of theft in Australia.... Uganda perhaps more so.

When are you going?

[JonzyHick]

Bwindi, Uganda and we will have some sort of security fence.

[toraman]

Bwindi, Uganda and we will have some sort of security fence.

Found it on google maps, theres a National Park where your going. So, when are you going? I admire and envy you

[JonzyHick]

I should be leaving at the end of April. Ill take pictures and post them.

[toraman]

I should be leaving at the end of April. Ill take pictures and post them.

Cool, please post heaps of photos. Have an awesome time and I hope the locals love Aquaponics.

[JonzyHick]

Here is the system we built in Uganda. It is very primitive but it works.