Prototype Aquaponics Project (Charity Chapel) Update

All,

The prototype AP project continues, and we are continuing to gather data. Here is an update:

The fish seem to be growing and we have removed no dead ones for the last couple months. The fish have been sticking to the bottom and aligning themselves against the inlet current however as I have been feeding in the last couple of week I have noticed that several are leaving the bottom to intercept the food as it sinks. Perhaps they will begin to come to the surface to eat. If so, this will aid us in our tracking their health.

We also have a plan to enable us to weigh and measure a sample of the fish. We have been considering methods but are concerned that handling the fish may lead to stress or injury which may provide a vector for infection. We are going to establish a mini AP system that will hold our sample fish so that as we catch one we can measure and weigh it then place it in the mini-system. If the fish survive and are healthy we can transfer them to a pond or another system. This should work well since we will need to remove many fish over time as they grow due to our limited capacity of 170 lbs in the main tank. We have around 170 fish, if we measure once a month, and select a sample of five each time that's only 25-30 fish. If we can acquire a 60 gal tank- or larger -this will suit us well. We can use the extra tank we have- the one we plan to use for our breeding program -but I would rather have a separate system so that it doesn't interfere with the breeding program once we decide to start. Also, as I've stated before this system doesn't have to be used as a way to mature these fish, only as a way to quarantine the fish so as not to "waste" them. We can always transfer them to other systems or ponds as needed.

The plants we've chosen have done tolerably well given this was our first uncoordinated try. The tomatoes- that were already stunted due mostly to our inability to give them proper nutrition at the beginning of their growth -are looking worse since I uprooted them and replanted them. The plants in our system have developed a veery fine and delicate root structure, probably because there is no need for the strong "beefy" tap roots. As we move rocks around we get into those roots and break them off- it doesn't take much effort -thus it was for the tomatoe plants. However, they have also been hit with the heat for the last few weeks and this has added stress on them. They are starting to look better but I think at least one bin (R2) should be removed and we can replant with something else. The tomatoe that is still growing well, and that I did not replant, is the cherry tomatoe plant in R2. I must say that I also believe that adding the nails to the gravel beneath each plant has added at least a trace amount of iron as a nutrient in that those plants are greening up a bit.

The second wave of cucumbers I planted are also doing well, growing are the correct shade of green, as well as the cantelope in R1, and the Bell peppers in the same bin. Though the Bell peppers produced, the peppers themselves were only about the size of a golf ball so for whatever reason GB L1 is not the healthiest.

As I stated previously many of the plants currently in the bins need to be removed and the beds replanted. I have started some green bean seeds to add after they have sprouted. I think we could also plant several bins with Summer peas. Having plants in the bins should increase the water quality, as well as shade the gravel from the sun. I think the worms in the grow bins like to live in the dense root structures also.

Speaking of the worms, I'm discovering that this is really as whole project in itself. We have worms in the grow bins and I believe that they have done well in eliminating any "hard packed" solids in the grow bins. Even if they are not eating as much as we'd like I think they're movements within the bin aids in proper water flow.

We also have established a small worm bin where we have thought we would breed worms in an attempt to create a fish feeding program using these worms. Since I don't REALLY know how to raise worms I'm not sure we are being successful. Yesterday I opened the bin and noticed large bug larva, then I noticed what I think are red mites- the sworn enemy of worms -so I removed all the worms, fed the larva (which I think are soldier fly larva) to the fish and dumped the bedding. I placed the worms (about 60) in two grow bins. We will need to research further before restarting the worm program. I have been told, and have read that soldier fly larva are also goof for fish food. Perhaps raising them would require fewer challenges, though I suspect they will have their own set. We could easily enough construct a "bug hut" that would keep the flys coraled, allow for a way to feed and let them do the rest. Soldier flys look more like a wasp than a fly, I don't think in fact they they are a "fly".

We are currently developing a parts list for both out DC back-up system, as well as the greenhouse. We also have barrels for the water catchment system but have not added any plumbing.

I spoke with Sandy Carter a few weeks ago and she is still onboard for hosting the pilot site. I told her we were still in the testing phase and would begin gearing up for our first visit to her facility, I hope in 2011.

Please pray for our continual development of this project.

Blessings- Tony