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Aquaponics Project – Design
I’ve been talking about hydroponics and aquaponics for years now. (and now that I understand the biology a little more, I’m not even considering hydroponics anymore) I think it is time I finally implement my first solution. I’ll use this post to document what I want and where I’m going to get it from. (so it will change over time)
Style: Flood and Drain beds w/ gravel. Cold-water fish. Electric pump.
Tank: plastic stock tank. 110 gallon TSC SKU Number: 2229862
aquarium air pump w/ bubbler stone to oxygenate water all the time
submersible pond pump (eventually to be replaced with marine air conditioner pump), operated on an electrical cycle timer.
Grow Beds: made from 2by lumber, lined with pond plastic, filled with stone gravel (13mm) that doesn’t change pH. (crevices are desirable) Height: waist level. No auto-siphon is needed since I’m using a pump on a timer. Growbed Size: 4′ x 5′ x 12″ Red wiggler earthworms will be placed in the grow bed to further digest solid fish waste into plant nutrient. Sloped slightly. Min depth= 12 inches
water test kit – ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, oxygen, pH, temperature
Resources: Continue reading
Android Phone
I finally decided I’d had my clunky old windows phone (with no data service) long enough. I decided to ditch AT&T and move to Virgin Mobile. I don’t like the way AT&T structures their data plans, and they are generally overpriced, over-restrictive, and nickel-and-dime happy on everything. Virgin Mobile uses the Sprint network, which is CDMA instead of GSM. I don’t have a contract, lowered my monthly bill, and added 2 unlimited data plans and 2 unlimited text messaging plans. It is hard to say no to a deal that good. I’m not sure how I like the network yet, as I’ve only used it in our house, and it is at least as good as AT&T was here in the house.
We bought the LG Optimus V phones (Optimus One P500/VM670) for a reasonable price. I was not going to pay over $200 for a phone! According to wikipedia:
The LG VM670 was released as the LG Optimus V for Virgin Mobile on February 1, 2011.[2] This variant ships with a version of Android 2.2 that is the closest to “stock” of all Optimus One variants. Mobile hotspot functionality is missing from the phone’s settings pages; however, it can be enabled by the user at any time.[3] The phone is very similar to the Optimus S.
“Closest to stock” is a very good thing when you are talking about open source software. The carriers dink around with things and make them slower and limit their functionality. Without ‘rooting’ the phone, I was able to configure it as a VoIP/SIP client and Wi-Fi router (hotspot) using only free apps from their app store.
The phone is made to integrate with google services like mail, calender, chat, voice, picassa, maps, and reader. I couldn’t be more happy with how easy it was to setup and how well it works. (I use and love all the google stuff) Even my complicated google calender with multiple different calenders in different colors shows up correctly without me having to do anything except give it my google username and password. The market place (app store) is amazing. It is maintained and controlled like the Ubuntu repository with the added benefit of lots and lots of capitalist trying to make a buck by adding in their contributions. It is crazy how much stuff is out there, waiting to be installed with a button press. (I’m listening to the Collin county sheriff, fire, and EMS through a scanner app right now)
Instant Poll: Help The Gallimore Family Decide
I want to plant strawberry plants in the front beds. My reasoning is that we have never have used the beds, the cedar bark looks OK, but it is dead and boring. I could have a living mulch that gives me free food. Strawberries are low-maintenance, look good, and will come back each year. Amber thinks it will look funny and attract pests. Help us decide what to do by voting here. Also, leave a comment if you have more to add!
Water Infrastructure Upgraded
I managed to get the rest of the trench dug, 130′ of pipe and wire, a manual valve, a solenoid valve, and 2 hose bibs installed. I did a pressure test and found no leaks. Only thing I have to finish is putting back the dirt. I’ve got a lot of rocks that I want to sort out so it will take me an hour or so to get that done.
Trench for the Future
All of last year, I carried 5 gallon buckets of water out to the end of the driveway where my asparagus is growing. I’m going high-tech and plumbing water right out to the bed this year. I’ll put a hose bib and a water valve for a new drip water zone. I’m also going to put a new hose bib on the northwest corner of the house. This will finally give me water outlets everywhere I need them, without having to use 125′ of hose. My aquaponics setup is going to be located on the north side of the house too, so I’ll need a source of water nearby for that too. I’m about halfway done with the trench. Digging is not my strong point, I’m a bit on the slow side.
TED Talks: Brene Brown: The power of vulnerability
I found this video very interesting, take a look, it is worth it!
Garden Update – January 27, 2011
The plan this year is to focus more on companion planting. I’m going to space my tomato plants out so that no two plants are touching or near each other. I’m surrounding each tomato plant with onions, and planting cucumber in between each tomato plant. I’m going to swap out planting tomatoes from the east 3 beds to the west 3 beds every year so I automatically rotate my crops to prevent buildup in the soil that is harmful for the tomatoes. I managed to get home with just enough time to get all the onions in the ground. I’m only going to have enough room for 9 plants in the garden this yearThe seedlings have turned a deep green color since they’ve been under the grow lights. I hope that is a good thing.
Your Grocery Bill Will Double in 2011
Can you afford to spend double at the grocery store? I’m hearing news like this from multiple sources. The inflation number published by the US government is not realistic of real cost increases. (can’t afford to pay social security increases, so they cook the books) If you are interested in growing just a little bit of your own food, right now is the time to get started. It doesn’t take much to get started and you might be really happy eating food from your own backyard!
