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For DVD's and Books about Aquaponics and Permaculture. HERE
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Newsletter 2010 # 5
Why is an expatriate Canadian in the wilds of Thailand taking up Aquaponics ?
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Now it might be asked, by those of inquiring minds, why an expatriate Canadian in the wilds of Thailand would think of taking up the practice of aquaponics. I must be honest and tell you that it is because my buffalo do not speak English. Yes, incredible as it might seem, my water buffalo; the animals whose traction my plough depends upon, refuse; utterly refuse, to learn the Queens English and basic commands. The Buddha knows that I have tried! My efforts have been in vain. Having been kicked, drooled upon and dragged through the mud (much to the amusement of my wife and in-laws) I have come to the conclusion that ploughing the hard, red clay of northeastern Thailand is not my forte.
Because I am fond of eating (as my physique shows), it behooved me to come up with a plan to provide adequate dietary rations. The locals are quite content to receive their protein content from bugs and rats. I felt that I was not prepared to be quite that assimilated! In a middle aged attempt to consider my health I felt that a few veggies wouldn’t go amiss either.
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Enter..........(drum roll please!)
......Aquaponics!
My first attempt was made using an existing fry tank, recycled plastic containers and a watering can.
Ultra high tech!
The container medium is half and half coco fiber/rice husk with a layer of gravel on top to stop everything floating away when flooded.
The lettuce planted in the containers was flooded three times a day by hand.
This is sufficient given the very high water retention of the coco fiber.
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ABOVE:-
Here is a view of the completed system waiting for fish and plants. The water is fertilized and turning a nice shade of green in preparation for the tilapia fry, while in the plant nursery many types of seedlings are awaiting transplant to the grow beds. |
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Above:-
Canadian Steve and family.
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Above:-
Some of the soil from the tank excavation is used to build up the area around the aquaculture grow out pond. This is where we will build the next aquaponics system!
Next to this is the swimming pond.
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Above:-
Half completed excavation showing the built up area where the grow beds will go.
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Above:-
Straightening the clay walls in preparation for the block work.
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Above:-
The floor has been laid using chicken wire and cement. Blocks have been stacked ready to build the walls. Check out that lovely red clay!
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Above:-
All of the cement is mixed and carried by hand.
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The walls are going up under the strict supervision of the head brickie, also known as ‘she who must be obeyed’.
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To the left of the grow bed is the submersible pump that we will use temporarily to flood the beds. I am in the process building a bicycle powered pump, a solar pump and a Servonius rotor pump. We will try these out to see which option works best for us.
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The pool has been rendered and the dirt around it leveled for the base of the grow beds.
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I hope you enjoyed seeing how we build our system! If you would like to contact us we are at www.GoodEarthAgriculture.org
Cheers
Steve, Oh and Jane. in Tahiland
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| Aquaponics.NET.au last updated 15 February 2010 |
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