Aquaponics, A Year in Review
Aquaponics Project by Chef Ricky
September 8, 2011
Almost a year ago I wrote my first blog about Aquaponics here. In the article I cited a link to a video of an art project called “Farm Fountain” that inspired me to start my first experiment in sustainable, organic, indoor gardening using the natural cycles of bacteria (the nitrogen cycle) to grow food. The term for doing this using fish waste as the fertilizer source is called aquaponics, or AP.
Since then, my blog ( the aptly named “Chef Ricky’s FoodStream” ) has developed into exclusively aquaponics updates and news. My work (and disasters) using indoor aquaponics will be in a book this Oct. I am very pleased by the outcome of the initial experiment. Not only have I learned more about the nitrogen cycle than any biology class has EVER taught me, but I have ended this season with an amazing new group of AP enthusiasts, a delicious bounty of crops, and some plans to make AP in Seattle a more recognizable and more used form of farming.
So here we are, myself and you (my dear readers) 33 updates later. The project is far from over, and I am proud that I have not only made it a year in, but have also expanded others knowledge of AP. My best friend currently has a 55 gallon tank running in his condo, all with AP. I have started a conversation with a local Seattle business owner who builds roof top gardens for restaurants – we are going to meet soon and see if it is feasable to work AP into his clients gardens, and the possibility of raising the fresh fish as entrees for the restaurants. Next year’s crop plan will include some full size heirlooms from my friend Kelly, and I’m going to try some peppers, squash & various herbs. Lastly, I plan on utilizing a tank given to me by a friend as a display tank for AP using houseplants to show the versatility of AP as not only a great farming technique, but as a way to keep fish as pets without the need to buy a bunch of chemicals or pointless, wasteful filters.
All of this is great news for the advancement of AP in Seattle. I'm so glad to be part of it and am offering help in planning & putting together AP tanks for other Seattle-ites. Have questions about the plumbing & pumps? Not sure about adding worms? What kind of fish? Email me if you would like a hand or just have questions. bbrunches@gmail.com
Aquaponics Project by Chef Ricky
September 8, 2011
Almost a year ago I wrote my first blog about Aquaponics here. In the article I cited a link to a video of an art project called “Farm Fountain” that inspired me to start my first experiment in sustainable, organic, indoor gardening using the natural cycles of bacteria (the nitrogen cycle) to grow food. The term for doing this using fish waste as the fertilizer source is called aquaponics, or AP.
Since then, my blog ( the aptly named “Chef Ricky’s FoodStream” ) has developed into exclusively aquaponics updates and news. My work (and disasters) using indoor aquaponics will be in a book this Oct. I am very pleased by the outcome of the initial experiment. Not only have I learned more about the nitrogen cycle than any biology class has EVER taught me, but I have ended this season with an amazing new group of AP enthusiasts, a delicious bounty of crops, and some plans to make AP in Seattle a more recognizable and more used form of farming.
So here we are, myself and you (my dear readers) 33 updates later. The project is far from over, and I am proud that I have not only made it a year in, but have also expanded others knowledge of AP. My best friend currently has a 55 gallon tank running in his condo, all with AP. I have started a conversation with a local Seattle business owner who builds roof top gardens for restaurants – we are going to meet soon and see if it is feasable to work AP into his clients gardens, and the possibility of raising the fresh fish as entrees for the restaurants. Next year’s crop plan will include some full size heirlooms from my friend Kelly, and I’m going to try some peppers, squash & various herbs. Lastly, I plan on utilizing a tank given to me by a friend as a display tank for AP using houseplants to show the versatility of AP as not only a great farming technique, but as a way to keep fish as pets without the need to buy a bunch of chemicals or pointless, wasteful filters.
All of this is great news for the advancement of AP in Seattle. I'm so glad to be part of it and am offering help in planning & putting together AP tanks for other Seattle-ites. Have questions about the plumbing & pumps? Not sure about adding worms? What kind of fish? Email me if you would like a hand or just have questions. bbrunches@gmail.com
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