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Goal zero Escape 150
Started by Geost. Last reply by George on Thursday. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Hi all, new here and looking for solar pump, battery backup as options for AP.Been searching for DC 12V pump solar combo but having a hard time sourcing a robust system. Looked at Oase Nautilus line…Continue
Rocket mass heaters
Started by Chris Leon. Last reply by Meg Stout May 8. 20 Replies 2 Likes
If you're interested in heating a space for not much money, ie bit's of dead wood etc., check out, Rocket stoves or rocket heaters or rocket mass heaters on youtube. I reckon it's a good solution for…Continue
Needing some advice and help with a solar issue I am having ...
Started by Bob Vento Apr 9. 0 Replies 0 Likes
I would appreciate some insight into a problem I am having with my system? Please see the attached link to a conversation I was having elsewhere on this site ...…Continue
solar powered aquaponic systems
Started by George J. Thurmon. Last reply by Flaco Mar 10. 32 Replies 0 Likes
I'm still planning my system and studying the subject - hope to launch by spring. We've been without power here in North Florida a couple of times over the years for several days each so I'm…Continue
Comment Wall
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Comment by Jon Parr on Thursday -
George, wood (some more than others) contains tannic acid, which leaches into the water and lowers pH. In my experience, and I have tried a few times, wood and leaves do lower the pH a bit, but not enough for my water chemistry. If you folks try leaves, keep in mind that they may cause an ammonia spike when they start to break down.
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Comment by Jason Eaton on Thursday -
The oak rounds I cut really didn't lower the ph under 8. But I top off my system with about 5 gallons every day ( 425g system ). I'm going to mansinita branches. We have alot of it around here and I read that its higher in tannin then oak. I'll let you guys know.
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Comment by George on Thursday
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Since nitrification in an aquaponics system generally lowers PH, how would you know that adding wood made your PH go down?
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Comment by NTS on Thursday
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Jason,
I tried brown oak and my ph went from 8.4 to 8.2
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Comment by Rick Stillwagon on May 18, 2012 at 4:47pm -
You can see the stove on my website: zephyrgreenhousesystems.com
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Comment by Kenyon James Hopkins on May 18, 2012 at 4:44pm -
Is there a link to the stove, Rick?
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Comment by Rick Stillwagon on May 18, 2012 at 4:20pm
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Gotta check out this stove... Completely non-electric pellet stove. Will heat water, they will soon be adding cooking components, and there is a special deal right now...
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Comment by Jon Parr on May 7, 2012 at 7:25pm
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I've used wood and oak leaves both wet and dry, it is a very weak acid, probably dang near impossible to overdo. I've tested a the pH of a bucket of redwood sawdust filled with rainwater at 6.5, and I doubt any amount of wood in AP could ever get lower than that. (I'm ready to eat my words if somebody succeeds, though :) Be prepared for black water, as tannins are sure good at staining everything black. I dropped my 120 gallon tank from 8.2 to 7.4, and the visibility went from crystal clear to 2" using dried oak leaves in a 5 gallon paint strainer bag. The fish loved it, and the Crawdads found their way into the bag, playing in there like kids at chucky cheese, but I missed seeing all the activity.
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Comment by Jason Eaton on May 7, 2012 at 4:25pm
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I don't know to be honest. I doubt it has to be green but you will probably find different tannin levels in green versus dry. In either case you will have to take your specific wood and through it in a bucket overnight to get an idea of how to dose your particular system with your wood. I'm sure either case will work. Let us know what you find out if you try it. The ph drop that I saw was pretty substantial for a small amount of wood.
Best of luck.
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Comment by NTS on May 7, 2012 at 2:40pm
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I am going to give it a try, does it have to be green?
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