Currently being cleaned, refurbished and restored is a 10,000 liter cistern converted into a full aquaponics system engineered to supply 4 large grow beds with nutrient rich water. This system will have the capacity to harvest over 2,000 tilapia every 8-10 months and produce fresh vegetables year around.
Aside from fresh fish available to the orphanage for consumption is the option to sell the fish locally. This will help cover the cost of current expenses and future needs. One of the biggest demands for the orphanage is fresh fruits and vegetables. This project will help meet these needs.
Hydroponics is a type of horticulture and a subset of hydroculture which involves growing plants, usually crops or medicinal plants, without soil, by using water-based mineral nutrient solutions. We have partnered with the amazing Jamaak Escuela Verde, with their expertise, wisdom and supervision we make sure the project will be successful.
Hydroponics is a plant cultivation technique that is also known as “Cultivos sin Tierra“. Planting under any of the modalities or variations of these systems has numerous advantages over conventional cultivation.
Simply put, hydroponic gardening is method of growing plants without soil. It’s a way to nurture a huge variety of edible plants (think herbs, veggies, even some fruits) indoors all year round, regardless of what Mother Nature is doing outside your door. A hydroponic system doesn’t take a lot of space (unless you want it to), it will work just about anywhere, and plants will actually grow faster than if you were growing in-ground. It’s not hard to see why hydroponic gardening is fast becoming a popular way to grow plants everywhere from kitchen counters to university dining halls!
So why is it called hydroponics? “Hydro” is the Greek word for water, and “ponos” means work. In hydroponic gardening, the water does the work—in this case, the work of delivering nutrients to the plant roots.
In order to grow, plants need water, sunlight, carbon dioxide (usually from air circulation), and nutrients. In a traditional garden, plant roots have to seek out nutrients in the soil. In hydroponic gardens, nutrients are dissolved in the water that surrounds the roots, so plants have even easier access to the nutrition they need. The result? Plants tend to grow big and beautiful very quickly.
– Cleaning the fish tank and grow beds
– Repairing and installing the pump and filtration system
– Filling the fish tank with 8,000 liters of clean water
– Removing old grow medium from the grow beds
– Repairing the grow bed lining and water leaks
– Steadily getting water chlorine, ammonia, PH, nitrate and nitrite levels correct in order to introduce the fish to the pond.
– Aligned with professionals to help mentor and assist with all the aquaponics endeavors
– Need IBC Water Storage Containers
– Need Material to build a canopy over the system
– Consistent donations to fund the water bill, fish feed, water test kits and maintenance
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