Running an aquaponics system

arnoldboer

Many people wonder how much time it will cost to maintain and run an aquaponics system. This of course is depending on a lot of factors:

system size
your level of experience
fish species
climate
etcetera...

To provide an indication on the amount of work involved, LocaVerdi created an estimation work sheet. This sheet also gives some detail about which tasks are involved and how often you should perform that task.

You can download the sheet, by asking for my details.

Charlie

Ive checked out your work sheet and Im sorry to be blunt but I found it completely useless.

PLJ

Hey Charlie, don't hold back - say what you really think!

RupertofOZ

This is just straight out spamming...

A quick search reveals that the poster is actually the owner of the website/company....

Don't know what he based his assumptions on....

The company has only been going for a few months... and according to their own website... are currently developing their "commercial", and "Backyard" systems... expected to be released in the summer of 2012...

Ran a "prototype" from June 2011 to September 2011 ... http://www.flickr.com/photos/77415677@N04/sets/72157629854553685/

And a new system started April this year... http://www.flickr.com/photos/77415677@N04/sets/72157629503473556/

Both very basic backyard systems....

To be blunt Arnold.... I don't think that you have enough aquaponics experience to advise anyone... let alone consult with regards to building "commercial" systems...

And it's just not ettiquette... to use another site to promote your own....

How about you just introduce yourself to the forum... post your system, and aquaponics journey to date....

ThommoPerth

Yeah I had a look at that exel thing, couldn't understand it and was totally useless, in your post you go about costs etc but it doesn't really do that.

USELESS

RupertofOZ

Kind of funny how both his spreadsheets default to 50,000L....

When his system is probably only 1000L... and he's grown a few lettuces and peppers... (and only during summer)

PLJ

arnoldboer, I think that with some tweaking it could be useful. Let's face it though, if someone with an aquaponics system is into detailed record keeping - and many are - then they will already have a method of documenting their work. If they are more casual about it then I can't see them bothering with your worksheet.
I think what would be more useful is a dedicated check list of tasks with suggested frequency of action, including a date column to remind the user when the task was last performed.
Your worksheet seems to me to be a cross between a statement of system specs, a check list of tasks, and a survey questionnaire to find the average time spent by APers on those tasks.
Fail!

RupertofOZ

True enough PLJ...

But given that his website and his flicker page don't show anything other than a very small backyard system...

Surely you have to question just where what he based his "time" assumptions on... particularly with regards to a large scale "hobby farm" type "20 bed" system... that he's never built or operated...

Other than perhaps extrapolating that it take x amount of time to do something with his 10 plant home system... therefore for 100x plants it will take y....

Charlie

Owner at LocaVerdi, sustainable aquaponics. LocaVerdi designs, develops and produces sustainable aquaponic systems. A low environmental impact and a stable environment for growing vegetables and fish are key features of the designs. This translates in good growth and low effort.

"developes and produces sustainable AP systems"....

more like started a backyard system in feb 2011 and then created a website...now making claims and on the advertising bandwagon.... the end.

earthbound

Yeah, I've removed the link, if people want it, they can PM and ask for it..

Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics