Demo Aquaponics Built For 2013 Maui Body and Soil Conferences at Home

(I previously thought I lost this post and published a shorter version. Well, blogger did save it and here it is.)

After working in short bursts, utilizing almost all left over material, with my brother Randy's help. I then proceeded to work from Midnight to 4:30am to finish my, I'm thinking hybrid, demo Aquarium Aquaponics to display at the 2013 Maui Body and Soil Farm-Health Conference held at the Maui Tropical Plantations, April 11th to 13th.

With just enough time to load the Aquarium Aquaponics and all the internet modem & router (mahalo AKAKU), two away radios, (Mahalo Vision Enterprises) and projection equipment with screen, squeeze in a shower and be on-site with all the other volunteers. I did manage to have it run successfully for 3 days and nights at the event.

I managed to get 10 Tilapia of various breeds and junior sized, so as not to eat my 10 various colored goldfish carp in the aquarium. Planted Taro, Royal Oak Lettuce, Beets, Stir Fry Greens, Chinese Cabbage "Won Bok", with yellow Marigold and violet Torenia for color.

The hybrid Aquarium Aquaponics was basically a planter I drilled 6 small weep holes in the bottom, a layer of Ricky Apana and Vince Mina's (IMO) Indigenous Micro Organism infused BioChar to hold water and then a bio-active layer of cider from my mature grow beds with plenty of worms populating it and an over all main overflow, in case holes plug or I the water flow was too much.

All run with a air driven water pump from a ECO AIR 2 air pump. Specs: 4.5 liters per minute, 1.7 pressure, 4 watts energy moving the water. Some tricky air/water pumping adapted from Glenn Martinez of Olomana Gardens and past State President of the Hawaii Farmers Union United, (he passed the baton to Vincent Mina as the new acting, then officially elected State President of HFUU and member of the Maui Farmers Union United.

The 2013 Maui Body and Soil Farm Health Conference was a big hit and my Aquarium Aquaponics is still running at home on top of my Jacuzzi Aquaponics system. Minus one Tilapia, travel shock I think and unfortunately all the goldfish koi. Apparently the Tilapia thought they were there for dinner, their dinner. At least the Tilapia had the courtesy to wait until after the event to feast.

Searching for plants that are edible, like shade and lots of water for Aquaponics

My greenhouse for my aquaponics is needed due to the extreme sun most of the time and heavy winds. I would like some plants that can live in a 75% light due to the shadehouse and enjoy having plenty of water. Hopefully pretty resistant to aphids and such. Non GMO.
If anyone has some starts to add to the produce swap at the next Maui Farmers Union United, I would appreciate it. Jim (audio video guy)
Also interested in tree collards. I understand the best ones are taken from the tree, they don't grow from seeds easily.
As seen in my picture, taro and surprisingly tomato are doing okay in the lower light.
Mahalo and hope to see you at the Haiku Community Center Meeting,
Go to http://www.MauiFarmersUnionUnited.com for meeting info and agenda.

Maui Farmers Union United April 2012 Meeting

Next meeting of the Maui Farmers Union United: April 24, 2012 Meeting Agenda:

Locavore Potluck: Come and share the Maui abundance of what you prepare and grow!!! Bring a dish OR Dinner is $5 for Members, $10 for Non Members. Sign up as a member and dinner is on us!

Schedule:
6:00pm-7:00pm LocaVore Potluck
6:50pm-7:00pm Evening Announcements ~ Vincent Mina
7:00pm-7:10pm Chefs Corner ~ Jana McMahon-Kahanu Aina Greens 7:10pm-7:20pm Farmers Almanac ~ Harriette Witt
7:20pm-7:30pm Produce Scoop ~Ryan Eareheart-Mango Madness 7:30pm-8:00pm Lehua Vander Velde- MFU "You are the event" 8:00pm-8:10pm Bill Greenleaf-Annual meeting
8:10pm-8:30pm Seth Raabe- Our experience culturing and using IMO 8:30pm- 9pm Networking

Produce Swap: Lets make it abundant!!!

Bring your home grown farm/garden produce, seeds or plant starts to share and swap with others. Place it on the table in the back when you arrive.

Note: We aim to have a "trash free" event and encourage folks to bring their own bowl and utensils. And, if you like, a comfortable chair. It was standing room only last month!

~6pm-9pm Potluck and General Meeting. ~The fourth Tuesday of every month. ~Attendance has been high and we run out of seats so please consider bringing your own comfortable chair ~All meetings include: The Chef's Corner, Mana Foods Produce Scoops, Farmer's Almanac Astronomy Presentation, Educational Demonstration and Presentation, Legislative Updates, Announcements. ~Meetings are held at The Pool Room at the Tavares Community Center in Pukalani. (see map below) ~All meetings are free. ~All are welcome. ~Please bring a local foods potluck dish to share if you would like to eat with us. Alternatively, you may bring $10 (for non-members) or $5 (for members). ~YOU ARE THE EVENT Make it Feastive!!!

Please visit the website and sign up for the newsletter and membership.
http://mauifarmersunionunited.weebly.com/