Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Greetings all,

First post for me here. I'm in the planning stage for my system. It'll start the year inside (I'm in upstate NY, US, where it can drop to -25C and where it can be -6C for weeks!). I had planned to use a 100Gallon Rubbermade stock tank as the fish tank but it seems that they aren't considered food safe. I'm happy to buy a liner for it but don't know what material type is actually considered 100% free of issues (leaching out chems, etc...). The same applies to the grow bed(s) (which I'll be building from plywood). I've already bought the hydroton which will make up the grow bed media.

I'm also concerned about humidity problems with an indoor system. The system will be housed in my "grow room" which is about 8'x8' (~ 2.5M x 2.5M). I suspect I'll have to use a fan to circulate air. I have a dehumidifier but wouldn't really want to run it (electricity is very expensive here). I'm using a 400W metal halide bulb so my grow bed will probably 3'x3' (perhaps 4'x4'). Does anyone have experience with indoor aquaponics? Are there any system types that are better in reducing evaporation/humidity? I probably want an air pump rather than relying on lots of dripping from the grow bed into the fish tank?

Thanks much for any hints,

JR

i used a 110 gal rubbermaid tank for my ft, and had no issues, (no liner) they're normally used as watering troughs for livestock...
you'll want to keep the sun off of it though, or you might find your water too warm
my system is in my basement,..... the only time i have high humidity has been in the summer on the hottest days..

They make zipper tents too that are basically waterproofing for your walls. This might be a good idea for your setup if you are concerned about humidity.

ny_aqua,

I just joined this forum and thought I might have been a lone AP enthusiast (what are we referred to??) in Upstate NY...

I have not set up my system yet but thinking on the same lines as you. PM me - would love to compare notes. I have had problems finding the right containers for the FT and GB - either WAY too expensive or not available in this area without a crazy shipping charge.

I did find that the tuff stuff containers from the tractor supply co in Ontario NY are listed as food safe and are LDPE which seems to be the "good" plastic..

Thanks
Aaron