50 Shades of 'Green'

50 Shades Of Green is an Advanced Architectural Workshop at the Boston Architectural College charged with researching and critiquing the status quo of sustainable technologies in order to propose new lifestyles, performative systems, and productive surfaces.

The workshop, taught by Productive Collective members Lauren Shirley and Kyle Sturgeon is entering it's second week of the 15 week semester. Check out the workshop blog for a course description and to follow our online discussions!

Dreaming of another (grow) bed...

We're in the process of producing a WApU manual and it gave me the opportunity to draw WApU Davis with an additional growbed - I just need to find a + manifold for the 1/2" pipe!

This would get us a bit closer to the proper ratio of tank to grow bed volume (1:1) and would take advantage of the high nitrate levels we have in our tank. Don't worry - its quite stable and the fish are very happy.

WaPU Willow: with fish!

I've got fishes! Kyle and I went over to Big Fish Little Fish today, our favorite local Somerville pet store, and picked up these two goldfish for my WaPU. After following the acclimation instructions to the letter, I set them free - they seem to love their new home, which includes some other accessories I thought they might like. Owing to a tank heater mishap, I've decided to go cold water, which means goldfish and maybe catfish. The plan is to let them settle in for a week or two [did you know that when fish are sad or stressed, their top fin flops over?] and get a few more fish. Then, I'll let all the fish settle in for another few days, and then I'll be ready to hook up the plants. Sounds like a trip to our other favorite local haunt, Grow Your Own, this weekend!

WApU Willow!

Thanks to Dan's shopping trip to Petco, I'm now in the WApU mix! Today I set up my tank and got the water cycling, so that I can add fish and plants soon. I did a 10 gallon tank with a cover [my cat loves water...], and I'll be planting some herbs. The idea is to test a different, smaller system than Dan or Kyle + Lauren have, so that we can continue to widen our research sample. This system will be small, compact, and ideal for small spaces or an introduction to aquaponics! Stay tuned for the introduction of fish and plants next week...

Winterization at Lindsey Street

In order to prepare for snow we have completed the winterization of the aquaponics system at 32 Lindsey Street. Our research will continue over the colder months with our indoor systems (WApU) and the testing of our solar panels. Beginning January 22nd, we will be working with students at the Boston Architectural College through two Gateway Initiative project teams and one advanced architecture workshop on the design of this systems greenhouse enclosure, along with other exciting sites and partners!

WApU as Living Machine

Here's a great representation of how the WApU operates within our own home. 

WApU Update!

We've got a few changes to the fish tank and some good growth from the plant beds:

The two WApUs - Inman and Davis - allow us to test a number of aquaponics system variables such as plant productivity, aesthetics, and lighting, and water quality control from two locations at once.

Today we welcomed (3) more fish to the WApU Davis (11 total!) including an algae eating sucker. We've also got a few more aquatic top plants for varying light conditions and fish hideout.

The hops root we claimed from Alex's in-ground lot pre-freeze has sprouted. The root was submerged for about a month and found its way to the sun (and our artificial light fixtures!) - We're looking forward to it taking over the living room.

Speaking of a take-over, the mint plant has clearly become the most productive  member of our grow beds. So much so that we harvest a good third of it this weekend and plan to make some tea/use it in our juice recipes.