"I have been repeatedly wiped out by borers. It is extremely frustrating to grow up big healthy plants only to have then drop dead over night. I haven't found a good defense for them that works well with aquaponics. I do spray dipel and…"
A Community and Forum For Aquaponic Gardeners
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Chris Smith
- Male
- Kailua Kona, HI
- United States
- Blog Posts
- Discussions (359)
- Events
- Groups (14)
- Photos (233)
- Photo Albums (5)
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Chris Smith's Groups
Chris Smith's Discussions
Grow Out Times
Started this discussion. Last reply by RupertofOZ Nov 17, 2011. 17 Replies 0 Likes
A recently post has questioned grow out times being claimed by some. There seems to be a lot of misinformation out there on this subject this so I would like to get a record of what our community is…Continue
Need help sourcing wholesale parts.
Started this discussion. Last reply by Chris Smith Nov 15, 2011. 15 Replies 0 Likes
I have been building and selling turnkey systems for most of the year now. I have been buying all the local supplies that I can, but have cleaned out all my local sources.Most of the pumps that I use…Continue
Is diatomaceous earth safe for fish and bacteria?
Started this discussion. Last reply by TCLynx Jun 26, 2011. 18 Replies 0 Likes
I have been using diatomaceous earth for slug/snail prevention around my troughs with good success. I then noticed it is also effective at keeping out cut worms and ants. I have been experimenting…Continue
Wick bed
Started this discussion. Last reply by Averan Feb 22, 2011. 28 Replies 0 Likes
After watching the new Murry video I am interested in making a wick bed. Has anybody tried one?Continue
Chris Smith's Page
Latest Activity
Wayne Tajiri replied to Chris Smith's discussion Fruit Flies. in the group Aquaponics in Paradise"Hey Raychel! I have the same problem, and I live in Hilo, so we get much rain. These buggers wiped out my cukes badly. The Eugenol is what I use for the med fruit fly I think? Same thing? I tried covering…"
Chris Smith replied to Melissa Rasmussen's discussion Cabbage and cauliflower pest! Experienced advice?"You may have cutworms or other caterpillars that hide during the day. I get cutworms bad but never see them because they hide in the medium when it is light. They come out at night and can mow down many seedlings each night. I use dipel on a weekly…"
Chris Smith replied to Chris Megison's discussion Five largest and longest running commercial aquaponics systems?"A recent Friendly newsletter they profiled a farm that was claimed at 30,000 square feet. I think that number is greenhouse space not system footage. Anyway it is very large."
Joel G joined Chris Smith's group
Wicking bed growers
This group is dedicated to those who are interested and growing in wicking beds. Wicking beds in conjunction with aquaponics can enable us to grow just about every crop that cannot be grown in standard aquaponics. Lets discuss deign, operation and whatever aspect of wicking bed growing you can think of.See More
Raft/Deep Water Culture Growers
A group dedicated to raft growers. A place to share tips, tricks, and general info.See More
Wicking bed growers
This group is dedicated to those who are interested and growing in wicking beds. Wicking beds in conjunction with aquaponics can enable us to grow just about every crop that cannot be grown in standard aquaponics. Lets discuss deign, operation and whatever aspect of wicking bed growing you can think of.See More
Chris Smith replied to Chris Megison's discussion Five largest and longest running commercial aquaponics systems?"Great list TC!
I built and operate Coastview Aquaponics in conjunction with my family. We have about 1000 sqft of total grow space between several systems. Our big system has 640 sqft of DWC and 100 sqft of media beds and a 1000 gallon fish tank. We…"
Raft/Deep Water Culture Growers
A group dedicated to raft growers. A place to share tips, tricks, and general info.See More
Chris Smith replied to Dino Zucchi's discussion Soil medium suggestions for Wicking bed, aquaponics or soil? in the group Wicking bed growers"You can use soil mixes if you want to The lighter and fluffier the soil mix the easier the roots will penetrate. Ir you are going to grow carrots I recommend that you screen the soil through a 1/4 inch screen so that there are no rocks or chunks…"
Chris Smith replied to Chris Smith's discussion Wicking bed design in the group Wicking bed growers"Most people who operate aquaponic systems keep sunlight off their fish tanks to prevent algae growth. That is what I do and the only algae I have is around the edges of my rafts where a little light hits the water but that is a different algae than…"
Dennis Glover joined Chris Smith's groupWicking bed growers
This group is dedicated to those who are interested and growing in wicking beds. Wicking beds in conjunction with aquaponics can enable us to grow just about every crop that cannot be grown in standard aquaponics. Lets discuss deign, operation and whatever aspect of wicking bed growing you can think of.See More
Wicking bed growers
This group is dedicated to those who are interested and growing in wicking beds. Wicking beds in conjunction with aquaponics can enable us to grow just about every crop that cannot be grown in standard aquaponics. Lets discuss deign, operation and whatever aspect of wicking bed growing you can think of.See More
Dino Zucchi replied to Chris Smith's discussion Wicking bed design in the group Wicking bed growers"hey chris thanks for the response, I did a little research and from what I understand the UV light actually helps the water quality by keeping the Algae growth down so that its not competing with the vegetables for the nitrates.…"
Profile Information
- How did you find us?
- internet search
- Are you an aquaponic gardener already?
- yes
- If so, what type of system? (pick all that apply)
- flood and drain media, Friendly-style raft, combination, I have two systems located in Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Both systems are modeled after Friendly Aquaponics designs. I am using deep water troughs. The two systems have a total of 800 square feet of raft space and approx 2000 gallons of fish rearing tanks. I have about 200+ lbs of tilapia in the various tanks.
- How old is your system?
- 1 - 2 yrs
- What type of fish do you grow with? (select all that apply)
- Tilapia
- How big is your fish tank?
- 2000 gallons between 5 tanks
- Please tell us something else about yourself.
- We have been selling our produce to our neighborhood on Tuesday, Thursday afternoons, and Saturday mornings. We give our neighbors an alternative to the over priced, poor quality produce that is sold in the local grocery stores. We now have a lot customers now and get new customers every week by "coconut wireless".
Chris Smith's Photos
Comment Wall (27 comments)
- At 7:37pm on November 17, 2011,
Damon Polta said… glad to see you doing so well! it's been a while since i was in your back yard, seems you've grow quite a bit! congrats on your success.
- At 1:40am on October 22, 2011,
Jed Davis said… - Hi Chris, what exactly is the tower made out of. It looks like a downspout, but much larger.
- At 7:16am on August 26, 2011,
Carey Ma said… Dude, you had to mention fishing didn't you. Oh how I envy your situation. I haven't dipped my pole in over six years... so catch one for me buddy! Grill it up and take some pics,; then at least I can dream and drool.
Cheers
- At 2:32am on August 7, 2011, Carey Ma said…
Hi again. Thank you so much for your cooperation. I too would like nothing more than to develop this market.
I would be glad to help in any way I can. I'm not being negative or standoffish but my plate is a bit overflowing as is. In fact, this site has become a form of relaxation/ respite from reality. But if you have the OEM (original equipment manufacture), we might very well be able to do smaller shipments and make/save some coin on the side.
- At 12:00am on August 7, 2011, Carey Ma said…
Thanks for adding me as your friend. Is it ok for me to use some of your pics as a good example of small home system? I love the pics with your daughter eating that big red strawberry. Too cute.
Cheers
- At 12:15pm on June 13, 2011,
Bob Segraves-Collis said… - Chris, I found a post from you under a discussion regarding aquaponics business plan. It was of specific interest to me as I am trying to start an aquaponics business in North Carolina. Is it possible to get a copy of you latest business plan?
- At 10:53am on May 18, 2011,
David Miner said…
Hi Chris, Did you ever find the need to modify or add to the solids removal portion of your system after adding the gravel bed?
You have a great operation.
Thanks
David
- At 6:16am on March 11, 2011,
Sahib Punjabi said… Namaste
May you all by safe and protected from this International disaster is my prayer to the Supreme Lord.
God bless
- At 9:18pm on February 21, 2011,
Sylvia Bernstein said… - hey Chris...you won the photo contest! Check out the home page...
- At 10:47pm on February 19, 2011,
Nate Storey said… Hi Chris,
I love your photos. . . I'm really envying your climate right now. It looks like your plants want to grow. . . mine, well, I have to talk them into it. Keep up the good work.
Nate
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