Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Dear aquaponics experts.
I want to do this experiment where I set up an aquaponics system and support a live rodent indefinitely for a bachelors thesis. Now I know there are a lot of pages here on the subject and I will read them. I just though it would be much easier if some people could fast track the search somewhat. So I know the basics of aquaponics systems and the principle of operation, what I need to know right now is more a question of scale, so I can plan my system properly. And of course ill be growing hey or something with a fast cycle.

So one rodent (Gunney pig)
How much grow area? I’m thinking at least 1 metre squared.

Light for 1 metre grow area is probably at least 400w hps, but I would like to try those large ESLs because this is an environmental study and I should think of all the energy inputs.

Volume of tanks for the proposed area? There I am quite stumped.

What was the fish to plant matter ratio?
And id rather have a larger than smaller fish tank as I’m not one for punishing fish and packing them in there, but still I need a high enough nutrient concentration.

Size of worm tank ?

I basiccly have to establish the system and build up my worms and dry hey and when I have a sufficient cache I can insert the rodent. Any idea how long that might take to establish?

Well that’s the bare balls of the operation. Please any comments, and also people who know about rodents and things please contribute.

Peace.

I reckon one blue barrel for a fish tank, and one for a growbed would be heaps.

There is a barrel ponics manual around here somewhere, but I cant seem to find it.

Here is a link to the BarrelPonics manual on the site of the gentleman who developed it.

http://www.fastonline.org/content/view/15/29/

Is the guinea pig going to live in the growbed as well or is it going to live in a separate cage and fed everyday?

How many calories and grams of protein does a GP need daily? Are you going to feed him fish or veggies, or make a mixture?

What kind of space do you have for the project?
I'm a little confused about the "worm bed" and what it has to do with the project. (Don't get me wrong, I think composting worms are very good for Aquaponics as well as many other things but I just don't quite understand the relation to your project.)
What is the temperature of the environment for the project?
What kind of fish are legal there? Would you want to use native fish or could you import an aquaculture fish for it? Are these fish going to be grown out for food or are they simply a nutrient source for the rodent fodder crop? Many of the tropical fish like tilapia need pretty warm water to grow really fast but will fare well with water temps above 21-22 C. If the water temp is likely to be cooler, then a cool water fish may be more appropriate but getting the system cycled up for them might be easier by "fishless cycling" to avoid stressing the fish for the first couple months.

If you don't need high stocking density for the fish, equal volume of fish tank to grow bed would probably be adequate.

You might want to think about ways to keep a steady crop of fodder coming by staggering crops in several different grow beds so you are not harvesting all the plants out of a system at one time.

What is the time frame for getting this project started? Once an AP system is physically build, plumbed and filled with gravel or media and water, Cycling (the build up of the bio filter bacteria that take care of the ammonia, nitrite to nitrate conversions) can take 1-2 months. Then it will take time for the first crop of plants to grow and mature.

What is the budget/source for the fish feed? Once the system is up and running, the biggest money inputs are usually fish feed and electricity.

Actually , I think a garden plot may be simpler.
But, I may not know the whole reason.

If you give us the actual "topic" of the thesis it might make more sense and our answers can be more specific

Perhaps it would Amish but do remember that the Original poster is in Finland.

I agree that a bit more specific description of the intended thesis might help us be of more assistance to you.