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The Complete Cycle Of Life, by Terry I.
Imagine a market place in your back yard for fresh homegrown fish, herbs, fruits and vegetables. Best part of this is that you grew it and know what’s in it. No pesticides or unwanted hormones and additives. Plus the market is open 24/7.
My Hawaii Experience
Living on an island and having everything shipped into it makes for the worst case disaster when mother nature or human nature turns bad. From total communications failure to coastal ports devastation, Hawaii would suffer the worst of all the states in the shortest amount of time. A large population on island Oahu would mean all meaningful supplies would be consumed in two weeks. If nothing else the multi-cultural mix of the islands make-up may prolong the inhumanity a month. After no resupply of goods and fuel, then the insanity begins. But when it comes down to family needs, your best friend may become your competitor for what you may have.
Water is not far away, but clean water can still be a problem. I have water filters for the times when questionable sources are the only available supply. Drought in Hawaii, you betcha. Clean water source can at time be hard to find. Water storage is a must, but to be prepared to find renewable resources will be very challenging. Would be great to have a miniature desalinization plant in a box for these times. The only alternatives will be the tried and proven, moisture capture, filters and sterilization tablets.
Climate is predictable. Constant 80 degrees, plus or minus 10 degrees throughout the year and depending on your island location.
Aquaponics, Barrelponics, etc. by any other name is an easy low cost way to supplement your survival box of tools.
Simply put, fish excrements gets pumped out to the grow beds to fertilize the plants. The plants convert the waste to nutrients and the water is returned to the fish tank cleaned of the toxins.
The Aquaponics ebb and flow or constant flow systems (NFT) provide more nutrients and water to the plants than if the plants were in the ground. But then again, you have to have a “usable” water supply. Rain barrel collection probably the only alternative.
Ground pest are minimized.
Normal maintenance if you had an aquarium and an in-ground garden. Feed the fish and watch for abnormal conditions to the fish and the water (pH, ammonia,etc.). Keep the grow beds clean (no weeds in this system), remove algae build-up, pest removal and elimination with non-lethal methods (vinegar/water solution) minimally sprayed under leaves.
My Systems 1:
1 – 110 gallon tank for fish ( 20 Tilapias – Blue and Red)
4 – Grow beds 2’x3’x8” on plastic tables and PVC piping
1 – 150 gal/hr water pump
1 – Fluval 60 air pump single with 4 way gang-valve
My System 2: (under construction – 70% complete)
2 – 55 gallon barrels for fish, on concrete molded stands
4 – halved barrels for grow beds, wood stand and PVC piping
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