Aquaponics' Applications [1]

Educational Applications of Aquaponics

credit to Nelson Pade website

Aquaponics and hydroponics are both excellent means of demonstrating many principles of science, agriculture, math and business in all grade levels and for home schooling. Applications of these technologies are only limited by ones imagination.

A unit in hydroponics or aquaponics enforces practical uses of chemistry, mathematics, physics, economics and engineering. The monitoring and care of a hydroponic or aquaponic system by students helps instill a sense of responsibility, inspires creativity and creates excitement in the learning environment.

A small aquaponic garden can sit on a counter top and be used to demonstrate botany, horticulture, hydroponics (soil less plant culture), plant science, nutrition, physiology and care, nutrient and pH testing, pH relationships, plant usage of nutrients, seed germination, photosynthesis and light and plant development.

An aquaponic system combines hydroponics with aquaculture in a recirculating system. In addition to the plant sciences, aquaponics incorporates and demonstrates many of natures natural cycles, nitrification, biology, fish anatomy and nutrition and high-tech agriculture.

A unit in hydroponics or aquaponics can be started at the beginning of a semester and run through the entire semester, allowing the educator to present the individual concepts and lessons as the plants and fish develop and grow. A small hydroponic or aquaponic system can sit on a spare counter top. Larger systems can be placed on the floor of a classroom, in a windowsill or a greenhouse.
  

Aquaponics News #2

Newsletter from Nelson Pade's Aquaponics Technology, System and Supplies New Incentive Program for Workshop Attendees An incentive program is now available that rewards attendees of Nelson and Pade, Inc.'s 3-day Aquaponics and Controlled Environment Workshop with a discount on the purchase of Clear Flow Aquaponic Systems®. Beginning with the April, 2012, 3-day Aquaponics and Controlled Environment Workshop, each attendee will receive a certificate (good for 30 days after the workshop) that gives them a substantial discount on the purchase of a Clear Flow Aquaponic System from Nelson and Pade, Inc. 2012 Workshop Schedule Nelson and Pade, Inc. has posted the 2012 workshop schedule.  When you attend a Nelson and Pade, Inc. workshop, you will be presented information based on 20+ years of experience in the three critical areas: aquaponics, controlled environment agriculture and the economics of aquaponics. No matter what your application, understanding these three areas is critical to your success.  Learn from the best!  Attend a Nelson and Pade, Inc. Workshop. Next workshop:  April 19-21, 2012 Clear Flow Aquaponic Systems® Clear Flow Aquaponic Systems® are designed for maximum production with minimum inputs.  From the F5 (Fantastically Fun Fresh Food Factory) to our commercial systems, these are highly productive and efficient systems.  Check out our current projects to see where Clear Flow Aquaponic Systems® are now being shipped. UWSP/Nelson and Pade Aquaponics Course The Introduction to Aquaponics Course/Biology 498, offered in partnership with Nelson and Pade, Inc. and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point has begun.  This course, co-developed and co-taught by Rebecca Nelson, John Pade, and Dr. Chris Hartleb, is the first of its kind.  The Spring semester course is full, but future course offerings will be announced. Sweet Corn in March? Yes! Our demonstration greenhouse is thriving and we are enjoying an abundance of fresh vegetables and fish.  This week, we ate aquaponically-grown sweet corn, kohlrabi, Swiss chard, lettuce, herbs, beans and huckleberries.  In a couple of weeks, our tomatoes and strawberries will be ripe.  We can’t wait! Questions? Feel free to email or call us with questions: 608-297-8708 info@aquaponics.com Or visit our Aquaponics Information pages.

Aquaponics News #1

Aquaponics Company Celebrates Achievements, Growth in 2010

2010 has been a year of achievements, milestones and growth for Nelson and Pade, Inc, a Wisconsin-based company specializing in aquaponics. Aquaponics is a sustainable method of food production that combines aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (soilless plant culture) to efficiently grow both fish and plants in one recirculating system.

Montello, WI, USA (Vocus/PRWEB) December 07, 2010 

2010 brought exciting new growth and substantial achievements for Nelson and Pade, Inc., a Montello, WI-based company that specializes in aquaponics and controlled environment agriculture. Aquaponics is a sustainable method of food production that combines aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (soilless plant culture) to efficiently grow both fish and plants in one recirculating system. The fish waste provides an organic fertilizer source for the plants and the plants help to purify the water for the fish.

Nelson and Pade, Inc., a 20+ years-old company, offers complete aquaponic system packages for all applications, consulting and project planning services and comprehensive training workshops and learning programs. In early 2010, the principles and staff of Nelson and Pade, Inc. were busy settling into their new, much larger location, which provides expanded office space and over 8,000 sq. ft. of shop and warehouse space for manufacturing and system assembly.

Rebecca Nelson and John Pade, owners and Internationally-renowned aquaponics consultants, spent early March in Singapore, where they were invited to speak on aquaponics at the International Conference on Soilless Culture, sponsored by the International Society of Horticultural Sciences. The 5-day conference included 15-20 minute presentations from scientists hailing from 36 different countries. Nelson and Pade were given a 4 hour time slot to introduce aquaponics to this influential group from the horticulture and agriculture communities around the world.

In April of 2010, Nelson and Pade, Inc. resumed their popular aquaponics workshops and during the year taught aquaponics to over 200 people from 28 states and 12 countries. These comprehensive, hands-on workshops are very well received by attendees and are often the impetus for post-workshop developments in aquaponics. A 2010 workshop attendee, Stephen Mathews, Muskogee, OK, commented: “What can I say but thank you to the entire team. Thank you for creating a learning environment that was fun and relaxed. I have been to many conferences during my career as an educator, and this conference was the best I have ever attended."

So far in 2010, Nelson and Pade, Inc. has built 20 complete Clear Flow Aquaponic SystemsTM for commercial growers, hobbyists, mission groups, Universities and schools. These systems have been installed in locations throughout North America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. Cumulatively, Nelson and Pade, Inc. has built systems that cover over 2 acres. David Hamlin of Palmetto, FL recently purchased and is operating one of Nelson and Pade's Clear Flow Aquaponic SystemsTM. He shares: “With Nelson & Pade, you get excellent access to leaders of the industry, timely comprehensive answers to your questions, a superb staff and a system without equal.”

A milestone for Nelson and Pade, Inc. in 2010 was the design, assembly and delivery of the first Living Food BankTM aquaponic system to the Northwest Haiti Christian Mission. Nelson and Pade travelled to Haiti in October to assist with the construction of the tropical greenhouse and the installation of the aquaponic system. The Living Food BankTM will provide fresh fish and vegetables to the mission and the people in Northwest Haiti.
In November, 2010 Nelson and Pade, Inc. completed the construction of their new 5,000 sq. ft. demonstration greenhouse in Montello, WI. This controlled environment greenhouse is home to a variety of Clear Flow Aquaponic SystemsTM and demonstrates aquaponic techniques, various crop choices and the latest developments in aquaponics technology. Attendees of Nelson and Pade, Inc.'s workshops, tours and Extended Stay Learning Program have the opportunity to learn about aquaponics first hand in this new, innovative aquaponics greenhouse.

Rebecca Nelson and John Pade's experience in soilless culture and controlled environment agriculture dates back to 1985, when they built the first large hydroponic greenhouse in Wisconsin and they wrote and produced the first video on hydroponic food production. Since then, they have worked diligently to develop soilless and aquaponic technology through their self-funded research. They have generously shared results and information on their website http://www.aquaponics.com (established in 1996), in the Aquaponics Journal, which they publish (started in 1997) and in writing and publishing books, videos and curriculums on aquaponics. The 2008 introduction of Nelson and Pade's book, Aquaponic Food Production, was the first comprehensive text written about aquaponics.

While there is a lot of talk about aquaponics, Nelson and Pade, Inc. is out there making it happen, supplying aquaponic systems, technology and training for people in developed and developing nations. For more information, visit their website at: http://www.aquaponics.com or call 608-297-8708. A new blog at http://www.aquaponics.com/blog/ provides perspective, information and updates on Nelson and Pade Inc.'s projects, news and events.

Read more: http://www.benzinga.com/press-releases/10/12/p673419/aquaponics-company-celebrates-achievements-growth-in-2010#ixzz1GjC3oJ6j

Aquaponics DVD

Aquaponics Made Easy (2009) DVD
by Murray Hallam

Grow fish and vegetables together in your own backyard the easy way. Whether you want to build your own system from bath tubs or assemble a ready-made kit, Murray Hallam will guide you through every step, so you can enjoy fresh fish and organic vegetables at your place.

If you’re worried about using commercially made fish pellets, Murray will show you how to grow your own fish food – the natural way.

Everything you need to know to get started in your Aquaponics adventure is packed into this educational DVD.

Over 90 minutes of quality information:

* Assembling a kit system

* Grow Beds, Tanks, Gravel Media explained

* Flood and Drain, Auto Siphons

* Fish Aeration, pumps, filtration, backup systems

* Growing plants successfully

* The Nitrogen Cycle, Fishless Cycling

* Testing your Water

* Maintaining a balanced system

* Choosing suitable fish for Aquaponics

* Batching your fish for endless food

* Dealing with pests

* Feeding your fish – Growing your own fish food

* Building your own Bathtub Aquaponics system

* Solar powered systems

* Essential checklist summary

Aquaponics Forum

The Aquaponic Gardening Community is a Ning site that was established in early February, 2010 by Sylvia Bernstein. She is assisted by an Advisory Group of 8 - 10 active members.

The vision for the site is to form a diverse community of aquaponic gardeners, both experienced and novice, that is small enough to foster intimate relationships, but large enough to offer robust discussion across a wide range of topics and aquaponic gardening styles. The Ning format was selected because it easily facilitates forum discussions and group formation by geographic location, fish type or other areas of interest. It also encourages photo and video sharing and tagging, and the announcement and coordiation of events.

The idea here is to take the notion of community between aquaponic gardeners to a whole new level of interaction and idea exchange. So much of what has been learned so far about aquaponics is due to the open discussions between the early pioneering gardeners growing with this amazing technique. There is so much still to learn in this incredible new way of gardening. Together we can change the world.

Direct Link: http://aquaponicscommunity.com/

Aquaponics Question

How Many Aquaponics Tanks Do I Need?

By Ronald E. Hudkins

Aquaponics is the farming method that combines both aquaculture and hydroponics. Both of these farming techniques are environmental friendly, and when they are combined their benefits are even greater. The greatest benefit that comes with aquaponics is the conservation of water and soil nutrients. There are two stages involved in the set up of an aquaponics system. One stage involves setting up a garden where you will grow your plants. The other stage involves setting up an aquarium for the fish. Proper planning before you set up your aquaponics farming system will enable you to identify the correct number of tanks that will be sufficient.

The number of tanks that you need will depend on a number of factors. How big is your aquaponics system? If you have a large project, you might want to have more than one tank. However, most people practice small-scale aquaponics. Therefore, they only need one or two big tanks. The number of fish that you want in your system also factors in. The recommended amount of water is normally one gallon for every fish. This means that if you want more than a hundred fish in your aquaponics system, you have to have a tank or tanks than can hold 100 gallons of water at any one time.

The number of tanks that you will have will also depend on your budget. If you do not have enough money to buy and maintain multiple tanks, then you can manage with one or two tanks. However, you have to ensure that your tanks will be enough for the fish to survive in. The issue of maintenance is also a factor to consider when you are thinking about how many tanks are ideal for your aquaponics project. Maintenance involves ensuring that the water temperature is normal and the pH is not too high or too low. Maintenance also involves making sure that there is sufficient and efficient air circulation in the tanks. If you think that you cannot carry out all these maintenance activities in many tanks at the same time, then the fewer your tanks the better.

There are some people who prefer many small-sized fish tanks while others prefer fewer but larger tanks. The number of fish tanks that you want to get is entirely up to you. However, you should also realize that maintaining a small tank takes much more effort and time than maintaining a large tank. If you are a busy person practicing aquaponics as nothing more than a hobby, then you should consider getting a larger, easier to manage fish tank. However, if you are into aquaponics as a full time job, you can get smaller multiple tanks because you will have all the time to manage them.

If you are looking for a farming technique, which will enable you, to conserve the environment, think aquaponics. While planning what you want to do with this farming system, do not forget to plan for the right number of tanks.

Welcome to Aqua Vista!

Hi all,

Feel free to go through the Overview Page for some insight
This Home Page will be for my farm updates, soon I hope

You can also go to the Reference Page for more info
Please do not hesitate to contact me for any feedback

Regards,
Viceroy