Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Greetings all, I'm a newbie from the state of Alaska in the US. After lurking and reading for a few weeks I finally took the plunge to register and ask newbie questions

My ultimate goal is to supplement our food supply to the point that a supermarket will become a rare occurance. We are very active outdoor summer growers but because this is Alaska our season is VERY short.

We have been looking at setting up an aquaponics system in our garage for a few years. It has the ability to be heated during the winter and we usually maintain an average of 70 degrees F (21C) in that space year round (can get to 80F if necessary).

SO, we've never attempted to grow indoors before. Obviously the garage has no real windows which will mean grow lights. We are also interested in buying a "ready made" system as building our own the parts just are not very accessable here.

We are looking at 2 systems so far:

System 1

System 2

Does anyone have experience with either of these? Do you think this can be done inside a home or garage?

ETA: We are planning to purchase a 10x15 greenhouse that will hold temperature during the winter, but with such limited space I'm not sure we'd want to have the complete system in it...thoughts?

Hi MGNiko..... welcome to the forum

I don't know where you two are respectively, but there is another Alaskan on the forum..... given your climate and the fact that he has been active for a while I'm sure Ems would be able to give you plenty of advice and pointers specific to your location... maybe PM him....

Here's his thread....

http://backyardaquaponics.com/forum/vie ... php?t=1378

Thank you! He's about 35 miles down the road

my guess is that you'll spend at least $1000 getting either of those systems up here. I've been having good luck with chest freezers I found at the landfill. At the Big Lake transfer site, there must be at least 100 freezers and fridges waiting to be crushed and loaded into a container. They are free for the taking. I've gotten three 200 gallon insulated tanks free. I'm building my greenhouse growbeds out of 2 x 12 treated lumber with plywood bottoms and lined with plastic. But for my indoor system, I've been using laundry tubs and rubbermaid tubs for growbeds. I'd be happy to help you get started. I would like to see an aquaponics greenhouse in every other backyard in Alaska -- and I'm thinking of starting a company to futher that goal -- and prove that backyard aquaponics can be done in Alaska -- and profitable. I talked to River Bean (president of the Anchorage Farmers Market and owner of Artic Organics) He said that less than 1% of the food consumed in Alaska is grown in Alaska. I believe that to be a huge vulnerability to our military and civilians -- especially considering terrorist activity and our proximity to Asia. It is a health liability (nothing we purchase from the grocery store is fresh -- it is either canned, frozen, dried, chemically preserved, or nearly rotten) It is an expense. And it is a wonderful opportunity.

what is it about alaska that makes people want to leave everything and move there?

btw check your luggage next time you fly to alaska... i may be hiding in it.

Alaska is a truly amazing place of natural beauty. I took a southeast passage cruise 11 years ago, and it's still vividly memorable.

I couldn't have explained my reasons or future ideas any better I've been going to the market for a number of years & see these giant missed opportunities! Until I found this site I really didn't know that you could make your own gear....I figured everyone had to purchase these systems. I can't wait to meet up & get more information from you!

And if my luggage is heavy with stragglers you're in for an amazing show!

Hmmmm....Do I see a partnership forming???

I could sell you one of my systems complete with fish if you want. I could use the money. I've spent thousands on my greenhouse and it still isn't finished.