- Piggabeen Valley Aquaponics -: New Years Eve Aquaponics Seafood Feast 2012

Welcome to our adventure ...

Aquaponics is a natural eco-system, which organically produces vegetables, fish & crayfish. It is the integration of fish cultivation, aquaculture, with hydroponic plant production.

Fish wastes are 'filtered' by natural bacteria producing a rich nutrient source for the plants. The plants utilize these nutrients for growth, thus purifying the water to then be returned to the fish. This continuous cycle is what happens in a nature.

Aquaponics has many advantages including, requiring much less space than traditional farming methods, highly efficient food productive method - potentially higher than hydoponics, with zero environmental impact.

- No chemical fertiliser's, pesticides, insecticides or soil conditioners are used.

- Zero water waste. All water is constantly purified by the plants and recirculated back to the fish.

- 100% of all nutrients are used, creating two crops from one nutrient source - the fish food.

- 100% of wastes generated are utilized on site through filters that feed the plants. Worm composts & Black Soldier Fly's are utilized for all vegetable off cuts and house hold waste's, creating natural healthy fish food source's. Worm & BSF castings being used for enhancing soil condition.

- As a source of protein, fish are the most efficient convertors out of all our farmed animals, achieving feed to flesh conversion efficiency close to 100%.

Aquaponics is a 100% natural eco-system.

PVA has also incorporated a totally off grid solar power installation, supplying power for the system, work shed and computers.

Hi,

Well, this is the day ive been waiting for ! The ultimate test of taste. To savor some of the spoils of 12 months effort. It was going to be a busy day.

50kgs of ice arrived at 9am, it was time to begin the final harvest.

I made up an ice slurry in the tub containing the purged crayfish, after I had drained their water, and placed it near the IBC containing the fish. I had the fish running on a separate pond filter that I had very professionally installed on top for easy removal.

16 silver perch were added into the ice slurry already containing the crayfish, it was soon time to begin processing the harvest.

Processing the harvest was a bit of a task, as per previous post. It was now time to dress & wrap our lovely fresh perch & crays. I had made a fish dressing & crayfish marinade the previous night.
Yummmo !

After cleaning up I headed back out to the system & gardens and grabbed a heap more fresh veggies to make salads for our feast.

Another moment in time I was greatly looking forward to, it was time to pre heat the Rocket BBQ to bake our fish.

I have now used the RBBQ many times including a small baked dinner. I was feeling confidant and getting use to how much fuel was needed to keep a nice 200c.

Pop the fish in and close the lid, give them a flip in 15mins and leave them for another 15mins in the rocket oven. Time for the marinated red claws.

Mate, this is smelling awesome by now I have to tell you! Look at those colours!

Not much left to do now except plate up and enjoy !

After a total taste sensation packed meal it was time to pop the pie in the rocket oven.

Serve it with custard & cream and toast a Happy New Year to All !

I am truly blessed by all the beautiful people in my life and am grateful for the opportunities & experiences of 2012.

May you all have a safe, fun, loving, learning, sharing & caring 2013 !!

Aquaponic & Garden Ingredients used to create our feast -
Silver Perch, Red Claw Crayfish, Leeks, Spring Onions, Shallots, Ginger, Turmeric, Galangal, Mini Basil, 4 types of chilli's - Hungarian Yellow, Black Velvet, Birds Eye & Green Cayenne, Yellow Squash, Zucchini, Green & Red Capsicum, Celery, Cherry & Roma Tomatoes, Beetroot, 3 types of Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, Thyme, Coriander, Peppermint, 4 types of lettuce, Rainbow Chard, Lemon Grass, Dill, Kaffir Lime & Lemon.