The BioPod - Black Soldier Fly Larvae Harvester

[wild]

[video:3dwup75q]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkKqkAYPjV8[/video:3dwup75q]

I recently purchased a BioPod (for the production of BSF larvae to feed the fish) and thought that before I start using it I should video it so that those that haven't seen one before can get a better idea on how they work. I really think BSF is a great supplemental food for fish. Feed your fish duckweed and BSF larvae and you shouldn't have to use too many fish pellets at all...

When researching the BSF I also found some interesting info about it so put that into the video as well. I also wrote this blog article (http://blog.aquaponicssystems.com/2009/07/biopod-black-soldier-fly-larvae.html) on it which is basically a text version of what I say in the video. Hope you enjoy it!

Cheers, Andrew.

[badflash]

I was put off by the cost of the biospod, and its low production of larvae compared to the magots it produces. I plant to self harvest less that full growth larvae and not try to get self harvest. Collecting magots is pretty easy. Making a bin for them is simple and I am just waiting for my larvae to be delivered.

These are also sold as phoenix flies and can be bought quite inexpensively. I'll post pics shortly of my home brew set-up built for under $10.

[jackalope]

I was put off by the cost of the biospod, and its low production of larvae compared to the magots it produces. I plant to self harvest less that full growth larvae and not try to get self harvest. Collecting magots is pretty easy. Making a bin for them is simple and I am just waiting for my larvae to be delivered.

These are also sold as phoenix flies and can be bought quite inexpensively. I'll post pics shortly of my home brew set-up built for under $10.

I'll second that! the cost scared me off too, but if you can afford it, I think it would be a cool tool to have ;)

[mommyhen42]

I made my own using a large nursery pot for a small tree and some old garden hose that I shaved part off of.
I made 2 one using hot glue to attach the hose and the other one where I used a heavy duty stapler to attach the hose.
The one that I used the hot glue failed yesterday and it is full of bsf so I had to brace the hose so that it would not come down compleatly. I will probally do more hot glue just to keep it in place over the summer.

The other one is not in use right now as my neighbor keeps throwing her scraps out instead of letting me have them. She forgets till the regular flys come in and then dumps it, I keep telling her that I would pick it up every other day if she wanted but she forgets... I figure with 5 kids there would be enough scraps to keep one in high gear for a while but.... sigh


I saw one that someone did with a square bucket and pvc pipes and it seemed to work well but I would really hate having to cut those things in half lengthwise....

Mine is working pretty well despite the breakdown of the hose and I plan on taking some larvae fishing with me next week, I gave some to a fisherman friend the other day and he is supposed to let me know how he does.

I used old trash can lids for the lids on my units

[badflash]

People get hung up on the self harvesting part of this. If you don't need that, and I don't, you harvest them on demand. Take a plastic butter tub and poke large holes in the sides. Put some cat or dog food pellets in it and moisten it. Sink it in the container over the holes. Come back in an hour and it will be loaded with grubs.

My system uses cheap nested plastic tubs. The top tub is loaded with holes in the bottom to allow it to drain to the bottom tub. I use Trex railing as a spacer to keep the top tub off the bottom. I drilled 2 2" holes in the lid of one container and used stand-offs to fit the second lid to the first so the flies can get in and out. I'm using co-co coir as bedding and corrigated cardboard taped to the sides for nesting sites for the flies.

[davidstcldfl]

HOPE THIS WORKS !

Thanks to Jon (stucco) and his wife, I now am the proud owner of some soldier fly larva. I had to throw something together, to put them in. I took a plastic flower pot, lined the bottom with rubber shelf liner. It's perferated, so it should let the 'tea' out.

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/flyhouse.jpg

I set the pot on top of a 2 gal bucket. For a lid, I used a commercial nursery pot, upside down. Inside of this 'lid', I put some squares of coroplast for the flys to ( hopefully) lay their eggs onto. That's what it looked like in the store bought unit. Coroplast looks like plastic cardboard...they make signs with it.

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/coroplastinsidelid.jpg

I am worried about lizards getting all the flies. Dont think they'll grab the larva.....but fire ants might ??? :?:

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/lickinhislips.jpg

If you look close, this guy is licking his lips....him and about a dozen of his buddies were watching me build the 'fly house' ...... :D

[davidstcldfl]

Hi......I just went to add some vegy scraps to my soilder flys. When I lifted the lid, I saw mold (?) growing on top of the compost. It was white and 'kinda' had a spider web look to it.

Is this normal.....or do you think I need a little more air flow ?
If you look at my previous post, you'll see the lid does have some holes in it.

I poked around and saw some small white grubs, crawling about. So things shouldn't be too bad, right ??? :?:

Thanks for your input. :)

[stucco]

Hey dave, we’ve had the mold once. Not too sure what caused it or what made it go away. We generally turn the bed over once a day with a little three prong garden rake. Sounds like you have a good start if you already have little grubs.

[jackalope]

I am sooooo envious of you guys ;)

[stucco]

how is the mold?

[davidstcldfl]

Hi Jon, I've been trying to stir it up once a day. I added some more holes to the lid. That seems to be helping.
I'm noticing 'other flys' besides black soildiers......hope that's not a bad sign ? :?:

[grimsteph]

Has anyone as far north as Southern Iowa kept a biopod succesfully? I love the idea, but the little amount I have read about them seems to indicate that they are more of a warm climate thing.

[badflash]

I've not done them, but I know of others that have in the summer and in a heated greenhouse. You need to by larvae to get them started.

[grimsteph]

Thanks badfish. We will be moving to Arkansas in a few months. I'm hoping that they will work there. I was hoping to start a colony before moving but I think it is probobly better if I wait til we get moved.

[urbanfarmer]

I just bought a plastic welder and I plan to build my own biopod! I haven't gotten around to it yet, but I will take as many pics of the process as I can! If nothing else, the fumes should make for a good time (joking of course). :lol:

[mike]

Lot's of ways to do BSF. Here's a few that we do in the Philippines for year round grubs :D

Here's an exert from my manual:

http://www.alohahouse.org/web_images/bsf1.gif
Find compatible diameters


http://www.alohahouse.org/web_images/bsf2.gif
Combine upper big with lower little (your upper little can combine with another lower still smaller still)
I've used 120 Liter/80 Liter, 80 liter/45 liter successfully but check for compatibility before you buy!


http://www.alohahouse.org/web_images/bsf3.gif
Make sure your rack holds everything if you want self harvesting


http://www.alohahouse.org/web_images/bsf4.gif
Use a filler that is available that you are comfortable with- cement with perlite, body filler, epoxy etc.


http://www.alohahouse.org/web_images/bsf5.gif
Make sure your 35º evacuation ramp is sealed, drainage of lechate is adequately sloped


http://www.alohahouse.org/web_images/bsf6.gif
Rack system with room for lechate collection


http://www.alohahouse.org/web_images/bsf7.gif
Don't forget the nursery! Females lay eggs in corrugated material on underside of lid. Leave holes for entrance of pregnant females.


http://www.alohahouse.org/web_images/bsf8.gif
Let 1-2% hatch under ideal conditions to assure perpetual propagation. We use a small pupating chamber for the new generation to come on line.


http://www.alohahouse.org/web_images/bsf10.jpg
Use a simple method to start if you can't copy the above model

http://www.alohahouse.org/web_images/bsf11.jpg

http://www.alohahouse.org/web_images/bsf12.jpg

http://www.alohahouse.org/web_images/bsf13.jpg


http://www.alohahouse.org/web_images/bsf14.jpg

http://www.alohahouse.org/web_images/bsf16.jpg

[grimsteph]

Great post Mike. By far the best I've seen here on BSF. Thanks!

[urbanfarmer]

Thank you Mike! I will definitely put this information to good use! :D