"Dan - are you pumping air or relying on natural exchange through your system? Is your goal to have lots of fish to eat or just use cats in your system because of their temperature tolerance?
I have found cats to need higher oxygen levels than my…"
A Community and Forum For Aquaponic Gardeners
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Ron Thompson
- Male
- Lecanto, FL
- United States
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Ron Thompson's Groups
Ron Thompson's Discussions
Springtime Planting.. what to plant?
Started this discussion. Last reply by TCLynx Mar 18, 2011. 3 Replies 0 Likes
With strawberries, broccoli and cabbage about over, I'm looking at the next crop.. Any thoughts on these for the summer season:carrots (gravel bed or vertigro? what do you think)polebeans…Continue
Accident & Near Disasters...
Started this discussion. Last reply by TCLynx Sep 29, 2010. 9 Replies 0 Likes
I've emailed some members for advice but thought this might be a good a topic as well. I'm sure we have all had a rude surprise and needed some advice about what to do.. Well this might be the place…Continue
Ron Thompson's Page
Latest Activity
Ron Thompson joined M Cosmo's group
At PlanetStewards - Aquaponics Videos
We pleased to make available many videos of the Planet Stewards of Aquaponics. We have filmed and are continuing to film many interviews, presentations and mini in-depth short videos of Aquaponic farms and gardens and some recent trainings. We also have dozens of short testimonial videos of students who have attended these…See More
Ron Thompson replied to Edwin Mercado's discussion Least expensive grow media for Central FL? in the group Florida Aquaponics"Google is your friend --
I see a two rock yards in Naples, call them and ask for pricing on brown river rock or pea…"
Ron Thompson replied to Bob Gee's discussion growbed depth and gravel pricing in the group Florida Aquaponics"To save TCLynx from self-promoting or being accused of spamming... she has developed and sells a great index valve. It is the only one I am aware of that is specifically made with aquaponics in mind. The cost varies based on the number of…"
Ron Thompson replied to Dan Ponton's discussion Growbeds from 55 gallon drums in the group Florida Aquaponics"BTW - 50# bags are generally 2 cubic feet - each half barrel is 4 cubic feet, so it would take two bags in each half.
$50 is steep for 50#'s, it should be a little over half that; I'd either find it cheaper or look into pea-gravel.…"
Ron Thompson replied to Dan Ponton's discussion Growbeds from 55 gallon drums in the group Florida Aquaponics"While many people use those barrels for grow beds, I see one major drawback and another caveat that needs to be followed. First the caveat - Insure that you are using food grade plastic barrels and make sure you know what was in them…"
Ron Thompson replied to Dan Ponton's discussion Bio Filter...Wet or wet/dry in the group Florida Aquaponics"I too am an "old aquarium guy" and used wet/dry systems on my larger tanks (90 - 175). I thought about it but then the light bulb came on and I realized that my system is essentially a giant wet-dry filter.
By using verticals into…"
Ron Thompson replied to TCLynx's discussion Plants to beat the heat in the group Florida Aquaponics"If you have time (like 18 months to maturity) I am have really good luck with a pineapple. I just cut the top off a Dole Golden from Publix, stuck in in the gravel bed and let it go. I now have a fruit growing.
I'll be adding some grow…"
Ron Thompson replied to Dan Ponton's discussion PVC Hoophouse in Florida in the group Florida Aquaponics"Depending on the size you need, I found a 11x20x10 fully enclosed car canopy at Sam's Club for $250. It is translucent and seems well made. It should make an excellent shade house.
I was going to put up a hoop house, but after pricing…"
Ron Thompson replied to William Mancuso's discussion New Raft System in the group Florida Aquaponics"
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Ron Thompson replied to William Mancuso's discussion New Raft System in the group Florida Aquaponics"It's the 1200 fish that is making us all take a collective breath... I'm not sure any but the largest commercial operations run that type of number. As fingerlings they won't be a problem but as they grow you will need to make…"
TCLynx replied to Ron Thompson's discussion Florida USDA Zone Maps & Planting Guide in the group Florida Aquaponics"I plant sweet potatoes as soon as I can get the slips after all danger of frosts are past (they usually get to us far later than necessary because they come from places that are colder than FL usually) but I've planted them as late as July and…"
Profile Information
- How did you find us?
- Are you an aquaponic gardener already?
- Yes
- If so, what type of system? (pick all that apply)
- flood and drain media, vertical
- How old is your system?
- 2 yrs or more
- What type of fish do you grow with? (select all that apply)
- Tilapia, Catfish
- How big is your fish tank?
- 300 gallon Rubbermaid stock tank
- Please tell us something else about yourself.
- I used to keep large aquariums and this seems like a great way to combine the two interests. I have been coordinating with fellow AP member Michael Cosmo (who lives about 8 miles from me). We both utilize a Vertigro system. I have about 75 baskets and also have a smaller media based system with the verticals feeding it.
I'm a keep it simple guy and primarily use a hands-off approach. I'm not checking water quality constantly; plants either grow or they don't. I guess it would be organics to the extreme due to laziness.
After two years of a toss together system, I plan to upgrade and improve this year. I started by replacing my Wal-Mart kiddy pool fish tank with a rubbermaid stock tank. I'll be moving the setup to a better location and putting up a hoop style greenhouse to protect it better. Then add some gravel beds and enjoy.
Ron Thompson's Photos
Comment Wall (5 comments)
- At 5:30pm on February 22, 2011,
Harold Sukhbir said… - Hi Ron long time no hear, hope everything's OK with you and your AP.
- At 7:18am on July 29, 2010,
David Hart said… - Thanks Ron !
- At 5:02am on July 29, 2010, David Hart said…
- Hi Ron, Sure was a pleasure meeting you and all the other fine folks at the 'central FL Tour'.
You mentioned you were using a different (less costly) air pump then Michael. Could you please share the brand and where you bought your's ?
Thanks Ron.
- At 5:04pm on March 27, 2010,
M Cosmo said… - Sure tomorrow is fine. Give me a call 352-201-6605. Just down the road from applebees.
- At 2:17pm on March 27, 2010,
Sylvia Bernstein said… - Hi Ron,
Thanks for joining the Aquaponic Gardening community! I hope you find it a fun place to explore aquaponics. There is a real blend of experienced and new aquapons in this community (and quite a few Floridians), so please don’t hesitate to get in there and start asking questions. A great place to start is by checking out the forums and groups. Everyone is quite happy to help out new members – no question is too basic.
We have just one rule: keep it cordial (no flaming!).
Thanks again for joining us, and I look forward to getting to know you.
Sylvia
© 2012 Created by Sylvia Bernstein.
