GaryD

Hi Farbulous...great to hear from you again. 1. Since iAVS uses a sand bed as a biofilter, do folks using this type of system, (ideally if you're using it indoors,) find that there is much odor from the decomposing fish waste? There's little information on indoor iAVs's, so it's hard to give a definitive answer. When you talk about 'indoors'...how indoors do you mean? 2. Do people use worms in their sand beds to help break down the fish waste? What are your thoughts about having worms in the sand bed? No. There's no need. iAVs relies on a decomposing detritus layer on the surface of the sand...in the furrows. Worms would only drag the decomposing fish wastes into the sand - not what we want. 3. Can the design of the system be modified to incorporate other modules such as NFT troughs, DWC rafts, (non-sand) media beds? I would assume that any of these would be placed after the sand bed for the purpose of filtration. If one or more of these modules were part of the overall design, would that necessitate a sump tank? If you had a Ferrari, would you want to put Nissan badges on it? In any case, you would only know the extent to which the hybrid works if you had a standard iAVs against which to measure it. Start off with an iAVs and then experiment from there. I see you've registered over on my HMFL forum. If you want the latest information on iAVs...go HERE. Gary

Hi Kellen...thanks for the heads up. I've hit the "Follow" button...so I'l keep an eye on it. Ande and Aufin are doing a great job. I'm also happy to respond to any questions.

Hi Ravnis...the number of people who are achieving success with iAVs is growing steadily. While some of them are little demo systems like yours, the majority seem to be small commercial units. They all confirm the method's efficacy...notwithstanding the occasional deviation from the 'ideal' prescription provided by Mark. They also confirm the essentials ....that the sand be inert, free of silt and clay and able to drain effectively. Gary

Hi, When I go to a thread, the first post that I encounter is the oldest one. How do I reverse the order to view the most recent post at the top?

Hi VKN, "Data + Aquaponics - what a novel concept!" It's novel concept indeed...and one that Mark would welcome it in particular. I can promise you, of all of the things that Mark might say, WOW is not one them. *Moderator Edited Post - Toga*

Hi Ravnis...can you tell me the price and size of the quikcrete pool filter sand, please? Does your source have quantity discounts on the filter sand? Does the bag contain any technical information that might be useful?

Hi BD....Mark's attention is understandably elsewhere so I'll respond on his behalf. He has very little other than the set of clothes he's standing in. Everything that is needed to live from day to day is now on his wishlist. The best way to assist him is to send money to his PayPal account... paypal.me/MMcMurtry123. He can access the money immediately...and begin to put his life back together (for as much as that's possible) in the shortest possible time.

Hi VKN, As the principal beneficiary of Mark's work, can we rely on you to not only respond with the same generosity that Mark showed to you...but also to spread the word across your Indian network. They need to know that the man who is most responsible for giving them iAVs needs their help...urgently! Gary

Four days ago, in the latest episode of a life of adversity, a forest fire on Horseshoe Mountain left Mark with nothing more than his dogs, a laptop computer, his old Chevy truck and the clothes in which he stood. You can find more details...including Mark's email to me...HERE. A GoFundMe to help Mark pick up the tattered remains of his life is underway. If you know who Mark is, I urge you to support this assistance campain. If you don't, I urge you to learn about him and the central role that he's played in aquaponics...and then to donate according to your means. https://www.gofundme.com/horseshoe-hills-fire-victom

Dr Mark R McMurtry...to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude for making iAVs available to the world...was forced to flee a forest fire that has left his mountaintop retreat in ashes. He managed to escape with his life, his beloved dogs, a computer and his old Chevy truck...and the clothes that he stood in. More details available...HERE. He needs our help...NOW! https://www.gofundme.com/horseshoe-hills-fire-victom

VKN, I hope that you and your family are safe. Have you been impacted by the flooding?

Thank you for drawing my attention to the Microponics mention...and congratulations on the article about your own operation. I can empathise with your frustration about the accuracy of the numbers in the articles. Journalists frequently make such errors.

Hi VKN...can you tell us more about the black liner that you use in your various installations?

What strikes me as strange is that, after all that Mark has done for you, you still fail to communicate anything worthwhile about your work with iAVS...unless someone pays you. If you truly "wish and hope people, the new aquaponics adapters, get what is right and it is sustainable" you might try ensuring that they get accurate information in the Indian context...instead of just vegetable pictures. Nor do I. It appears to be another self-serving attempt on VKN's part to insert himself into the conversation.

Hi VKN, I assume (without knowing) that these are the flowers of various fruits and vegetables...right? Have you trialled any purely ornamental flowers in your iAVs systems. Gary