Residential Integrated Aquaponic design
Re-designing and "System Revamping", one of the many tech support services I provide, and the main focus of my visit to Rocky Park Farm in Tenessee. A vissionary farm, and a true "a gem" in the Smokeys, Rocky Park Farm has had years of success and is now revamping their existing aquaponic design in order to make it management friendly and increase their production of both veggetables, and natural fertilizer. Rocky Park Farm will evolve into an Integrated Aquaponic Farm and will be able to produce in their hidroponic beds, and in their "traditional soil based" green houses. The transformation process has begun and I look formard to seeing the results.
Re-designing Visit to Bani in the Dominican Republic: Some times existing aquaponic designs require some "tweaking and Twitching" in order to make them more productive and most of all easier to manage and maintain. Such was the case of the project located in Bani, a.k.a The Mango Capitol of The Dominican Republic. Bani has been in my sight for some time and i finally had the opportunity to visit last April. Re- designing included fish tanks new drains, additional clarification tanks (to facilitate solids collecting and removal), raising grow beds off the ground level (yeah, "no more bending"). More sunlight penetration was also needed for the grow beds, so half the roof tin sheets material was replaced by clear one. Hogar de Niñas de la Altagracia in Bani is one of three (3) Acuaculture/aquaponic projects located across the Dominican Republic sponsored by Rotary International. Bani's project has a special meaning for me, because it proves that there are no barriers nor obstacles that can't be overcome to produce animal and plant protein in a small area. The residents, all girls, lead by three (3) dedicated, hard working and loving nuns make this project a success, and one that occupies a special place in my heart. Smiles, and cheerful faces made it all worth it.
Rope Pump - Reserva Silvestre La Makina Nicaragua
Special dedication to my friends of Aktenamit - Guatemala. In this video we can see a rope pump operating. This Rope Pump was later modified and adapted to a stationary bike rope pump combo, and is located at La Reserva Privada "La Makina", which is a Private Preserve in Carazo, Nicaragua. I show also a comparison water flow between a submersible (electric) pump and the energy independent human propeled rope pump.
ROPE PUMP - Nicaragua- Components, operating mechanism,
WIth special dedication to my friends in Guatemala, This video shows the mechanisms that comprise an easy to design and operate ROPE PUMP. This pump was located and operating at an aquaponic project in Nicaragua. PLEASE TAKE NOTE that the pump is being operated backwars in order to show its components. in order to carry water, the pump needs to be crancked the opossite way thatn shown in this video. Good luck
Aquaponic - Entrepreneurship Program combined at a Dominican Republic School: I have just returned from a visit to Dominican Republic where I spent two weeks working aquaponic projects located in Bani, and Santiago de Los Caballeros. One of these projects is located in the campus of a school complex in Ciudad Santa Maria (Santiago de Los Caballeros). This is a large Aquaponic design and a first of its class in the Caribbean Region. The system will be used as a training ground for their Entrepreneurship program, as well as an "outdoors classroom" where teachers will be able to supplement their classroom lessons with hands-on activities. An Entrepreneurship-Aquaponic Committee has been formed to manage the day to day operations of the system. This is an innovating concept and I am pleased to be able to provide tech. support. Aquaponics and School are joining hands in Dominican Republic for a sustainable and environmentally responsible future.
FOOD SECURITY AND INDEPENDENCE
FOOD INDEPENDENCE: An appropriate subject in July, when we celebrate our country's independence. Remember that we can be more successful in attaining our own food security if we learn to eat the food we are able to grow.
Aquaponic design Santa Maria School Dominican Republic
AQUAPONICS AS AN EDUCATIONAL TOOL: Video shows my latest design of an aquaponic system in the campus of a School in Ciudad Santa Maria, located in Santiago - Dominican Republic. The system consists of Two concrete tanks for fish (2500 gallons of water capacity each), concrete clarifier tank, bio-filter/solid media grow beds, and eight (8) hydroponic grow beds (floating rafts). Students will learn about environmentally friendly sustainable food growing techniques incuding aquaponics, urban farming, food security. Science teachers will include a curriculum complete with hands on component right in their own campus. Welcome to the new wave of school learning!
FEEDING DUCKWEED TO FISH
Aquaponics allows you to grow your own food, as well as the food for your fish as shown in this rare video at one of my designs in Naples, Florida. Aquaponics makes sense because is sustainable, natural, and definetly Fun!
Backyard Aquaponic System re-circulated by a Rope Pump-Bike combination.
