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Monday, December 6, 2010
The ShorThorn
System
BuildiNg AN AquApoNiCs sysTem
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Materials 1. Plant Container • Need either a bucket OR • Lumber and plastic Liner or Pond liner AND • Gravel AND • Lumber 2. Fish Tank • Aquarium / Bucket / Barrel 3. Siphon and Plumbing • Coil or Bell or Inverted • PVC pipes and Fittings • Underwater Pump • BLACK plastic tubing for the Pump • Perforated Tubing 4. Free Fish Food • Duckweed / Black Soldier Fly larvae How To: 1. Design and build a frame so that the plant bed can stand higher than the aquarium. 2. If you do not have a container for the plant bed, you’ll have to build one with the lumber and plastic or pond liner. The volume in the plant bed should be greater than or equal to the volume in the fish tank. 3. Insert a siphon of your choice in the plant bed to bring water back to the fish tank. 4. Once you’ve put in a siphon, you’ll need to make a barrier between the siphon and the gravel in the plant bed. Place the siphon within the perforated tubing and this will keep the gravel out of your plumbing system. 5. Add the gravel to the plant bed while holding down the perforated tubing. 6. Pipe the water from the siphon to the fish tank 7. Plug in the black tubing from the fish tank to the plant bed. 8. Fill up the tank with water. If using tap water, let it sit for a few days to allow the water to de-chlorinate. 9. Plug in the water pump to an electrical source and test your siphon. 10. Add plants first then add your fish.
“The important part is to get people involved and educated on how to do this in their own backyards,” Koay said. “I just want our community to see that there is a solution to environmental issues.” Plants are grown with their roots immersed in the nutrient-rich aquarium water using a solid gravel bed that act as floating rafts. This enables plants to use the water and filter out the compounds toxic to the fish. The plants clean the water and the cycle continues. When aquaponics is combined with a controlled environment, crops can be grown on a year-round basis, he said. Seth Lewis, a Knox Elementary School science teacher, said he went out to the farmers market after he heard about Koay’s demonstration. “I’d like to apply this in my classroom and show my students how to use our natural resources,” Lewis said. The system provides a great visual representation of a rain forest’s ecosystem, he said. University studies senior Sarah Neeley said she can’t wait to begin building her own unit to grow her own food and save some money in the process. “I am vegan, so I like my
NATAliA CoNTReRAs news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
Music continued from page 1
The Shorthorn: Alese Morales
Music education junior Eric Riedmeier plays the trombone Sunday evening for a benefit concert at Irons Recital Hall. The concert was to benefit Mission Arlington with donations of cans for the holidays.
The Shorthorn: Stephanie Goddard
Interdisciplinary studies senior Chowgene Koay teaches residents about aquaponics on Saturday in the Farmers Market. Aquaponics is a method of agriculture that integrates plants and living animals.
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On-site construction is set for Jan. 13-15 next to the SWEET Center off Summit Avenue and UTA Boulevard. Bill Gilmore, Arlington Parks and Recreation Department assistant director, said one of the objectives of the gar-
den is to build a stronger community. “Our message to the students is they can contribute to the community through their efforts,” he said. Gilmore said they are still looking for feedback on what will be allowed in the garden besides fruits and vegetables. About 20 attendees volunteered for task committees that will divide up work for construction days. As-
help as much as we can,” the music education senior said. Chris Sample, Kappa Kappa Psi president, said the groups first had the idea for a charity Christmas three “People need concert or four years during the ago. “Everyholidays. one really They need enjoyed preall the time, paring the music,” he but you said. “And a want to give lot of items were donatkids whose parents can’t ed.”He said afford it the the success of that opportunity first concert to have made the groups dea good to try Christmas.” cide it again this year. Tesia kwarteng Josh Stovocal performance ver, Phi Mu and journalism Alpha presisenior dent, said using his talents to help others and entertain is fulfilling. “When we get to sing for other people, it’s better,” the music education junior said. AlysiA R. BRooks news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
Epps continued from page 1
Garden
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vegetables. I am fascinated by this method, and I am excited to learn how to do it,” she said. “I would definitely share how to do this with my friends and family.” Ellen Ranit, interdisciplinary studies senior and Environmental Society secretary, said this method is a great way to do something on a small level and use it on a large scale by eating healthier food and saving money. “Food bought at stores don’t have all the nutrients we need,” she said. “In the long run, we have healthier foods by cutting the costs of groceries.” The purpose of building these units is to have a natural resource in which people can feed their communities with healthy food, Koay said. “The first step is to get people to get familiar with this and for them to understand that they have the power and set an example in Arlington and the Metroplex,” he said. “We have these resources to begin doing something for ourselves and the environment.” He said he wants the community to go outdoors, look and appreciate what is around. “Every day we stay indoors is another day wasted to build the world you’d like to see,” he said. “I want to take people outside of their box life.”
ate of the UT System Police Academy, Epps saw how the “hard-nosed” enforcer stigma may develop from the strict mentality that is drilled into officers during their training. In his first year as an officer, he issued more than 800 tickets and booked 30-plus arrests, a pace he now describes as “insane.” “Everyone who comes out of the academy is aggressive,” he said. “They follow the letter of the law, not the spirit of
signments were made for garden council president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and historian. Council members will manage the overall garden operations. Michele Berry, Student Planning Association president, said she would love to see other UTA groups get involved. “As an organization, we’re excited to help out and have our own plot,” the city and regional planning gradu-
the law.” Epps said it took a mellowing process to understand enforcement is about helping people, not always going by the book. To Epps, the “Bad Boys” aura of being a police officer is embellished. His job is mostly writing reports and waiting, he said. “The thrill I get is when I get the call four or five minutes later saying, ‘They got the guy. Thanks for your help,’” he said. Chrystina Epps said her husband exemplifies what it means to be a police officer. “When you think about a police officer, he comes to my
ate student said. Larry Harrison, UTA mechanical operations and grounds director, said the first three years are crucial to the garden’s growth. “We need the community to be involved,” he said. “If we don’t have that, it won’t succeed.”
mind,” she said. “When I have a problem, his mind is very fast, and he knows what I’m supposed to do and who I’m supposed to call.” Expecting his third child in January, Epps plans to change to the night shift to spend more time at home during the day. Although his wife is wary about the risks of being a police officer, she said she’s proud of his commitment to his family, his job and the UTA community. “I think it’s dangerous,” she said. “But he loves his job.” TAyloR CAmmACk news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
ARliNgToN CommuNiTy gARdeN To volunteer, contact Bill Gilmore at bill.gilmore@arlingtontx.gov or visit the Arlington Community Garden’s facebook page.
AlysiA R. BRooks news-editor.shorthorn@mavs.uta.edu
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