Thread: From tank to plate: Outback pub serves up meals from aquaponic system

^ How it works

Water from the fish tanks is pumped downwards and then back up, the change in direction allows Mr Casey to remove any
big solids from the system and compost them.

The water is then pumped into a large tank filled with, of all things, milk bottle lids.
Inside the tank good bacteria that lives on the recycled lids processes the waste water into fertiliser.

The water is then pumped into the beds, and onto the plants.
Because the water is constantly flowing, the plants can grow on rocks.

"We've just got to make sure no warm-blooded animals put any faeces in [the system]," Mr Casey said when asked about food safety.
"So we put a shade cloth up to stop any birds from coming in and we also test the water every two days just to make sure none
of those contaminants are coming in and also to test if the fish are producing too much or not enough waste."

The pub grows all its leafy greens, herbs and some veggies from the garden.
Mr Casey said the system allowed them to grow varieties they were unable to buy, and saved thousands of dollars on produce.

"The main thing we focus on are greens; they don't last as long as other fruit and vegetables and we want them as fresh as possible.

Similarly, herbs — plus it allows us to grow a greater variety."

Recycling wins

The system was built out of recycled corrugated iron and building materials.
Many of the water tanks were repurposed; water drums were common in the outback and were repurposed in the system.

Mr Casey paid local school kids to collect milk bottle caps for the water filtration tank.

Cardboard from the business was turned into compost, saving the business money and added much-needed carbon to the compost.

Even dying plants are recovered, with local residents donating unwanted and struggling plants which are rejuvenated in the system.

ENDS

It's a great closed loop system and one answer to self sufficiency in food production.

Look at that, modern day Australians are just like the Israelites,my they turned a desert into a green paradise.
Gods chosen people.

The combover lives!

Bravo!

How on earth did he achieve such improbable foliage?

There are a few threads on TD that have covered this topic. Here is one of them.

https://teakdoor.com/farming-and-gard...y-growing.html

Originally Posted by Neverna

There are a few threads on TD that have covered this topic. Here is one of them.

https://teakdoor.com/farming-and-gard...y-growing.html

That's for that Nev, I'm a huge fan of the system, and that guy looked like he had some awesome tomatoes growing, which
is difficult to do in the Thai heat.


But that the thread that you provided the link for doesn't cover in any detail is the Aquaponics.



Hydroponics are fairly easy to do but the nitrites to nitrates problem solving in Aquaponics is crucial to getting the
closed loop to function effectively.

In the OP the Publican has used the bacteria growing on the plastic bottle tops to assist in making that vital conversion.

Interesting thread. Is there more to come?

The link is ... www abc net au/news/2017-07-12/aquaponics-in-the-outback/8696414

Originally Posted by David48atTD

Barcoo

Sudden memory from my childhood: "In the Outer Barcoo, Where churches are few, And men of religion are scanty, .....something something...Micheal MacGee had a shanty."
Banjo Patterson....or was it Henry Lawson?

"In the Outer Barcoo,
Where churches are few,
And men of religion are scanty,
By a road never crossed,
except by folk that were lost,
One Micheal MacGee had a shanty.

Now this Mike was the dad of a ten-year-old lad,
Plump, stout and well conditioned
Mumble mumble ...
For the youngster had never been christened

Mumble Mumble

Mumble Mumble

Mumble Mumble

There's the bit where they shove a stick up the log
and throw the bottle of MacGinnis at him as he exits for the Christening
but I forget where that is prosed.

Mumble Mumble

Mumble Mumble

Now Maginnis Magee has been made a J.P.
And the one thing he hates more than sin is
To be asked by the folk, who have heard of the joke,
How he came to be christened MacGinnis

... or something like that

That's it. Cheers. AB Patterson then.
I was given a copy of an anthology of Aussie poems (put together by Mildred Fowler...never forget her name as her photo was on the flyleaf...a scary old bat to my young eyes). Must be high 40's years ago.
Three I vividly remember (yet imperfectly) was the one above, Clancy of The Overflow, and the Geebung Polo Club.
Ah..Frying Pan's Philosophy too.