Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello all,
As I said in my introduction message(http://backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=4905, the aquaponics system is really interessant to me and I want to get one for sure. But I'm also thinking of using the same kind of installations (probably more plants because of the natural fertilizer quantity) for my waterfowls (actual and futur).

I was thinking if first, is it possible? My actual water rotation system would probably look something like what's following :

1-Ducks swims in water and leave excrements
2-By gravity, the used water is getting down the big filter part (to remove dead plants parts, little rocks, etc.)
3-Water is passing thru UV lights systems to kill every forms of bacteries and all.
4-The water would now pass thru the hydroponic system.
5-Water would pass again in a UV light system.
6-Water would be pumped up to the ponds, clean and pure.

I was wondering what you are thinking of that? I was thinking that this could also provide a source of food for the birds eating a lot of plants like lettuce and it would be natural. Off course, I would get my part of food in that production

Thanks in advance!

Frank

Hi Frank... welcome to the forum...

Sounds like a good plan.... and one of the times when a UV system certainly has value...

I would agree I have some concerns about avian species used in AP type systems as their are significant diseases that cross species barriers. Fish is much safer.

the system sounds really good and I had some plans a long these lines in myhead for the future. I think the uv from the hydro to the birds would be a little bit of a waste. The other thing you could do was run it as an aquaponics gravel bed as the first filter straight ou of the duck pond and just grow simple non edible plants. But this would be space consuming, so maybe not.

any way I like it a lot and would love to see it in action, good luck and welcome.

look up the Duckaponic or Duckponic thread

As Jaymie said, been done and it works. Perhaps that first gravel bed that is pre UV filter could be the one that grows the extra food for the ducks.

Of course if you are using flood and drain gravel beds for the bio-filter and plants, there is probably no need for other "ponds" unless you are wanting to grow more fish in them but in that case it might be better to have separate systems for the ducks and the fish.

I'm going to make a check with a governement institution if possible to know how to delete all chances of disease. In my idea, UV will probably kill al kind of bacteries but I'll check if other systems are required.

Thanks!

Frank

One could grow decorative plants for sale or plants that are cooked before eating: kale, squash, etc. It would save a lot of power use on the UV.