"Mike,
I started with a Friendly 64, expanded it to a 128 without any filtration but that was because I was running a low load of fish. I have since increased the load and had to immediately build a solid settling tank which is working well so far.…"
A Community and Forum For Aquaponic Gardeners
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Mike Pollard
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- Waikoloa, HI
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Latest Activity
Nigel Clement replied to Mike Pollard's discussion Solids removal /bio filter in Friendly AP system in the group Raft/Deep Water Culture Growers
Matthew Mireles replied to Mike Pollard's discussion Solids removal /bio filter in Friendly AP system in the group Raft/Deep Water Culture Growers"Brian, can you elaborate on where you placed the clarifier and biofilter? Also, what particular equipment you purchased or designed. I have minimized the Friendly 64 to about half size for my small back patio. Brian, if I sent you some photos…"
Brian McCormick replied to Mike Pollard's discussion Solids removal /bio filter in Friendly AP system in the group Raft/Deep Water Culture Growers"Mike- If you do not use a clarifier, then you are going to have more solids in your plant trough meaning a higher oxygen demand there. That will lower the amount of oxygen for your plants, as will using the plant trough as your only biofilter. so…"
Kate Mink replied to Mike Pollard's discussion Solids removal /bio filter in Friendly AP system in the group Raft/Deep Water Culture Growers"For a small, low-flow system you really don't need one. Remember that the bacteria and other organisms (Gammarus water fleas) do a lot of processing. Some material settles harmlessly to the bottom of the troughs, you clean it out every few…"
Vlad Jovanovic replied to Mike Pollard's discussion Solids removal /bio filter in Friendly AP system in the group Raft/Deep Water Culture Growers"This doesn't really seem all that expensive nor difficult to build...
http://www.ecofilms.com.au/2010/08/20/diy-swirl-filter-for-aquaponics/"
Paul Trudeau replied to Mike Pollard's discussion Solids removal /bio filter in Friendly AP system in the group Raft/Deep Water Culture Growers"Before seeing this discussion, yesterday I emailed Susanne Friend essentially the very same question. FYI, she says "it works better, it's cheaper to build, and it's far less expensive to operate.""
Mike Pollard posted a status"Added 20 pounds of Tilapia today so our aquaponics garden is now a fully functional, self contained ecosystem."
Chris Smith commented on Mike Pollard's photo
Almost ready for fish
"Raft systems can be started with FULL fish load from day one without any problems. I have done it a dozen times for my clients. When you bring in fish you are also bringing in the bacteria too."
Mike Pollard posted a photo
Almost ready for fish
Nitrites are just starting to spike, and nitrates are already showing up. May be ready for fish next weekend.
Profile Information
- How did you find us?
- Search engine (Google)
- If you found us through a search engine, what search words were you using?
- Aquaponics ebb flow cycle time
- Are you an aquaponic gardener already?
- Yes
- If so, what type of system? (pick all that apply)
- flood and drain media, raft
- How old is your system?
- Just started
- What type of fish do you grow with? (select all that apply)
- Tilapia
- How big is your fish tank?
- 300G
- Please tell us something else about yourself.
- I'm the Sr. Engineer in the Technical Services Department and W.M. Keck Observatory. Before I came to Keck, I was the engineering manager at Cellana, an algae to biofuels pilot plant that was built in the NELHA gateway. Amazing how much of that experience (growing algae) carries over to aquaponics. In my humble opinion, aquaponics has the potential to make a much greater global impact on reducing the use of fossil fuels. FYI, I'm the first person in my family not to farm in 200 yrs...and here I am back at it. I guess there's no denying what's in your blood.
Mike Pollard's Photos
Comment Wall (1 comment)
- At 7:48am on December 3, 2011,
Sylvia Bernstein said… Welcome Fbiwaterman,
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, so please don’t hesitate to get in there and start asking questions. Everyone is quite happy to help out new members – no question is too basic.
A great place to start is to read the “How to Use This Site” link on the upper right corner, “Start Here” section of the Home page. You might also find the “Aquaponic Gardening Rules of Thumb” guidelines helpful.
Please add a profile image, participate and check in with us every day! We are constantly posting news about aquaponics and the good food movement.
Thanks again for joining us, and I look forward to getting to know you.
Sylvia
© 2012 Created by Sylvia Bernstein.
