permaculture Roofing materials and water collection

Thanks for posting this link, I wasn’t aware of this study. BTW all the test sites for this study were in the urban environment of Newcastle city, with lots of coal mines and coal fired power stations in the adjoining rural bioregion (Hunter Valley) so one would anticipate a reasonable degree of airborne pollutants.
Bill Mollison talked about positive effect of biofiltration processes in the watertank, good to see this researched and confirmed. Now I feel even better about my lovely fresh rainwater supply.
Robyn

On 27/05/11 9:29 AM, “Neil Bertrando” wrote:

> Here’s a link to a review article from Australia, which includes the concept > of the rainwater treatment train that occurs throughout the process from > collection to utilization (including drinking). I think it reinforces many > of the comments above.
>
> http://www.hydropolis.com.au/Papers/SIA_Coombes1.pdf
>
> We’re installing a > painted metal roof this summer from which we plan to harvest drinking water. >
> Does anyone have advice re: tanks for cold climates (we hit below 0 F (-20 > C) for a couple of days each of the past two winters)? My main concern is > freezing cracking the tank and interrupting our water availability. We’ll > have a groundwater well backup supply, so it won’t be devastating, but I’d > prefer not to have to rebuild or re-buy a tank due to their cost. >
> We’re looking for 1000 – 1500 gallon capacity. Currently I’m looking at > ferrocement or steel culvert style tanks as preferred options. >
> For site design, I’m considering putting it on a concrete pad or > underground. I would prefer not to have it underground for access and > maintenance issues. If on the pad, we’re considering putting it inside a > small passive solar storage structure to prevent freezing and utilize the > thermal mass, but this adds significantly to the cost. another option might > be to plum the downspout directly into the garage where we could insulate > the tank as well (no solar gain though).
>
> any thoughts or experiences with this type of scenario? references, etc? >
> thanks,
> Neil
>
> On Sat, May 14, 2011 at 5:31 PM, Gene Monaco wrote: >
>> Does anybody have any long-term experience with Galvalume. >> I have three concerns and no answers:
>> 1) Since it is 55% Aluminum-Zinc alloy-coated sheet steel, the aluminum >> might leach into the water giving us Alzheimer’s.
>> 2) How does it weather over time. There are a lot of raggy looking metal >> roofs out there. It might be good for a while, and I know that nothing >> lasts forever, nor should it, but what does it look like after 20 years? >> What happens as it deteriorates?
>> 3) Seems like a lot of embodied energy (high carbon footprint). Aluminum >> from far away…
>> -Gene
>>
>> Date: Sat, 14 May 2011 07:57:13 +0100
>> From: harry byrne wykman >> Subject: Re: [permaculture] Roofing materials and water collection >> To: permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org
>> Message-ID: <20110514075713.59a55dbf@humilis>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>>
>>
>> Here’s a quote from a write-up of a recent study:
>>
>> Cockrell School faculty and students conducted an in-depth study — >> recently published in the academic journal Water Research -examining >> the effects of conventional and alternative roofing materials on the >> quality of harvested rainwater. The study, led by civil, architectural >> and environmental engineering Assistant Professor Mary Jo Kirisits, >> showed that, of the five roofing materials tested, metal (specifically >> Galvalume??), concrete tile and cool roofs produce the highest >> harvested rainwater quality for indoor domestic use. The study also >> showed that rainwater from asphalt fiberglass shingle roofs and >> increasingly popular “green” roofs contain high levels of dissolved >> organic carbon (DOC). Although other potential pollutants can be >> significantly lower on green roofs (turbidity and aluminum), the high >> DOCs are significant where these roofs would be used for potable >> rainwater collection.
>>
>> Source: Rainwater harvest study finds roofing material affects water >> quality : www.sciencedaily.com
>>

Home Aquaponics-You Can Set Up A Homemade Aquaponics System Easily

A lot of people seem to think that home aquaponics is a new thing but the truth is that aquaponic systems have been around for about 20 years. The great thing about these set ups is that they add a real decoration to your house because of the colourful fish and lovely plants.

Home aquaponics is dead easy to set up, basically all you need is a fish tank and some netted pots which allow the water to pass through and a little DIY knowledge. The most longest part of setting up an aquaponic system is waiting for the water to be ready for the fish, about 4 weeks.

The natural system works a bit like hydroponics but uses no chemicals at all, the plants get their food from the fish waste. The fish waste filled water is passed through the netted pots which filter the water and feed the plants before returning clean to the tank. If you have ever kept fish before then you will be amazed by the sheer clarity of the tanks water.

Home aquaponics is not just about having a pretty indoor orniment though, it is about growing amazing tasting fresh organic food in the comfort of your own house. The system allows you to stagger the seed planting so that you have fresh vegetables all year round. Not only do these taste great but they also grow twice as fast because of the richness of the food they are getting.

So if you have heard about this fairly new way of using fish to grow food but think it is a bit complex then think again because any body can very quickly set up a DIY aquaponics system. You can buy aquaponics kits from local supplies stores but they are super expensive or you can build your own from scratch. The best way is to build your own because the cost is way lower, all you need is a fish tank, some fish and some netted pots and of course an aquaponics guide.

Home aquaponics makes sense as it is cheap, easy and above all gives you fresh organic food all year round.

 

Indoor Aquaponics-3 Reasons Why Indoor Aquaponics Gardening Makes Sense

Let’s face it. Old traditional ways of gardening sre becoming a thing of the past. Most forward thinking people look towards better ways of optimizing their time and efforts when growing food. And one of the best ways to do that is aquaponics. Aquaponics is becoming a very popular way to grow food plants in a sustainable environment. It relies on the tendencies of fish (discharge) and plants to help each other.

Aquaponics works well because it reduces waste when growing plants and food and it also lowers the amount of chemicals needed. Most people who want an easy way to get into aquaponics themselves is by practicing indoor aquaponics. Indoor aquaponics is a great way to start for several reasons. If you’re on the fence about whether or not to get started with aquaponics for yourself, here are 3 good reasons.

Read more articles
Advantages Of Aquaponic Gardening
Five Necessary Essentials For A Effective Aquaponics System
Aquaponics At Home
Grow Your Vegetables Indoors with Aquaponics

SAVES CASH

Instead of having the need for tons of resources for traditional farming, aquaponics enables a recyclable system that is purely self-sustaining. Besides the need to pay for the initial equipment expenses, there is no need to continually buy expensive chemicals and/or materials to maintain it.

EASY MAINTAINENCE

Fish typically discharge ammonia (waste) that in traditional farming is not reused. However, with aquaponics, that same waste can be reused for vital nutrients for the plants. Therefore, with your indoor aquaponics system, you’ll be surprised that upkeep of the system can be a lot easier than the maintainence of a fish tank.

LESS CARBON FOOTPRINT

Less land is needed to produce crops in an indoor aquaponics system. Matter of fact, an aquaponic farm can be constructed pretty much anywhere you have space. If you have a space in your home that you can place a fish tank, you can have an indoor aquaponics system. It’s a lot easier than you might think.

michael – About the Author:

http://www.diyaquaponics.org/

Take a look and see how easy it is to create a DIY Aquaponics System

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/indoor-aquaponics-3-reasons-why-indoor-aquaponics-gardening-makes-sense-4246320.html

 

permaculture Permaculture on the rez: Plant Tissue Culture Workshop

Cory Brennan; here is a recent post to the rarefruit yahoogroup which may be relevant to your work at Pine Ridge. Small woody plants from tissue culture need careful handling to grow them up but the technique may be useful.

See also

and

Doug Woodard
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada

*****

On 26/05/2011 2:15 PM, cannonconsult wrote:
Special Announcement

Hi Group,

Many of you may remember that I have been trying to set up a plant tissue culture workshop. My first attempt, a few months ago, did not generate enough students. The location was fair but weekdays are not good as people have to miss work to attend. This time I have a better location and day.

I know that there are other events scheduled for the same weekend, something I could not avoid as our instructor had only certain dates available in July. All three events are worthwhile but I think that the TC Workshop stands out as unique:

I – New event – nothing here you’ve seen last year or the year before

II – All day hands on experience, lecturing is kept to a minimum and ‘doing’ stressed

III – Chance to learn a skill that can be used for hobby, profit, employment

IV – Educational credits may be available for completing the TC Workshop

For the workshop to ‘make’ we need 17 students. We have limited space, and do not want to have to turn people away so if there is enough demand a second session can be offered on Sunday. If a second session develops an adjustment to tuition may also be made.

Date: 9 July 1011, Saturday in Davie Florida (UF site on College Avenue). Indoors, air conditioned, free parking. As with all the Home Tissue Culture Workshops all TC materials will be provided and you will take home some supplies and cultures of your own.

The cost is still being determined, expect it to be in the $130 to $150 range. Besides increased costs for shipping our instructor, Dr. Carol Stiff will be flying in from the Pacific NW. I wanted to get this notice out so that if you are interested you can consider including the workshop in your plans as more information becomes available. Information will be posted here and on a couple of web sites as the workshop develops.