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The self-sufficient aquaponic greenhouse createdfrom an old backyard swimming pool.● How did we build the Garden Pool?● Why aquaponics?● How does the Garden Pool work?● Garden Pool concepts.

Materials used to construct the Garden Pool● 10' X 3/4” SCH 40 PVC● Treated and non-treated 2”x6” & 2”x4”● Recycled household materials● PV solar panels, battery, & controller● 5 gallon buckets, pools, & rain gutters● Lava Rock & Hydroton

Why aquaponics?It uses 80% less water than farmingWater is constantly recycledIt is 100% ORGANICVery environmentally friendlySaves us time: No weeds, No watering,faster yields, more productive, etc

How does the GP work?● Tilapia Pond● Pump● Distribution● Biofiltration● Permaculture

Why Tilapia?● From egg to filet in 9-12 months● Begins reproducing at 3 months● Has 500-1200 eggs at a time● Reproduces 4-6 weeks later● Perfect for aquaculture in AZ

Pump● 350 gph fountain pump● Only uses 35 watts● Runs on solar with grid backup● Powers everything● Gravity helps save energy

Distribution● 1/2” black irrigation & 3/4” PVC● Pump > hose > 3 way valve● 1. Duckweed > rain gutter● 2. Evap Cooler > rain gutter● 3. 5 Gallon DWC > rain gutter

Biofiltration● Duckweed – miracle plant● Nitrosomonas > NH3 > NO2● Nitrobacter > NO2 > NO3● Ammonia > Nitrite > Nitrate● Zeolite & Activated Carbon

Duckweed● Purifies Water● Feeds Fish and Chickens● 5 X More Protein than Soy● 5 X More Starch than Corn

Garden Pool Concepts● solar power – harnessing andstoring the sun’s energy● aquaponics – the symbioticcultivation of produce and fishin a recirculating hydroponicenvironment.

Garden Pool Concepts● thermal mass - thousands ofgallons of water is warmed bythe sun and being surroundedby earth and concrete provides“inertia” against temperaturefluctuations.

Garden Pool Concepts● organic horticulture – usingnatural methods to controlgarden pests● water conservation – using 80%less water and recycling wastewater

Garden Pool Concepts●poultry farming – raisingchickens for eggs.● permaculture - GP systemsmimic relationships found innatural ecologies. It is a miniself-sufficient ecosystem.

Garden Pool's Future● Continue developing easy toimplement affordable solutions● Provide the information to thepublic and how they can do it● 8% of empty pools in MaricopaCounty can feed the homeless