Location, Location, Location

I took these pictures the day after I ordered my stock tank.  I was trying to decide where to build and place my aquaponics project.  The first location is a strip next to where I have existing vegetables growing but getting electricity to the site would be a challenge.  I also thought that the sun coverage was better here but I discovered it was not.  My daughter in the background.

The fish tank and troughs would have been placed in the small strip in front of the "green monster." This location has less sun coverage than the site below.  Also the site below will be easier to run electricity to.

This is the location will be where the aquaponics project will begin.  More to come......

"Trough" Part 1

I expect my "stock tank" to arrive today at ACE Hardware. In the meantime I went to Home Depot to buy the bare necessities to construct my one "trough." The plan* calls for two 8x4 foot "troughs" but I am building one and will add one later if need be. The plan also called for 1/4" ACX treated plywood. Home Depot and other local stores did not carry the treated plywood therefore I bought untreated standard 1/4" plywood. I then had Home Depot make my cuts.

I then went to the paint aisle with the intent of treating the plywood myself.  My goal is to keep cost to a minimum and therefore decided to buy the recommended white semi-gloss latex exterior paint and apply two to three coats instead of treating the wood. We will see how long this lasts. The bottle of preservative costs about $15 to cover the one box but I decided against it. Here is what I bought at Home Depot, yesterday.

Check the cost/item tab list for prices.

• 1 sheet of 1/4" plywood (cut for free by them - 2 pieces at 96" x 12" and 2 pieces at 54" x 12") 
• 1 box of 1 1/4 drywall screws not galvanized (cheaper and will be covered with paint) 
• 1 gallon of Glidden white semi-gloss latex exterior paint 
• 3 2x4x8 treated 

* I am using the 64 sq ft Friendly Aquaponics model.

All in...

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My son and I, on Sunday, September 24th, took a trip to Ace Hardware with the intent of ordering a stock fish tank that will begin The Aquaponics Project. 

We bought it, therefore we are all in....  There is no going back. 

Here we go....

Introduction Page

The Aquaponics Project has been a theoretical work in progress.  After researching the potential benefits of aquaponics technologies for food production I came across Friendly Aquaponics.  I will be using their microsystem to begin this project.  It is now time to put this project into action and begin.  This blog will chronicle the initial phase of my overall vision.  The vision is below;

1. Build a small scalable affordable aquaponics system in my backyard to learn the ins and outs of building and maintaining the system.
2. Work with my church, Rancho Community Church, and the Temecula Murrieta Rescue Mission to ultimately provide fresh vegetables and fish to the needy.
3. Offset the costs of humanitarian operation by providing "true" organic vegetables and fish to local health food stores.
4. Offset costs of humanitarian operations by building and maintaining aquaponics systems at k-12 schools with year planned curriculum guides.
5. Build off-grid systems for poor neighborhoods in US and abroad.