Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Okay, I have the tanks for the big set up I'm planning, but I'd like to get a small practice one up first, so I can see what I'm doing. I have an in-ground hard plastic garden pool in place and plan to stock it with goldies. It has a fountain dealie in the middle that I'd like to use to pump water to a grow bed, but my husband doesn't think the pump is strong enough. I have a child's plastic pool (it's actually a turtle shaped sandbox, sans lid) that I want to use for the grow bed. Me, I'd give up the fountain and plotz a hose onto the place where the fountain head is, hoping that would pump the water to the grow bed. Barring that, I should get another pump, I suppose, to pump to the grow bed and leave the fountain alone. The whole shebang will grow herbs, I hope. By the way, on a totally different subject, I see that seeds are frequently planted directly into the grow medium. That's what I plan to do, as well, but what keeps them from being washed away? Probably a silly question, but that's why I'm here! Thanks!

Small seeds. like lettuce, are often placed in damp paper towel pieces for planting. You can also purchase small seeds that have a clay covering over them that make them into a small ball and large enough to handle (depending on where you buy the seeds).
As far the fountain pump is concerned, if you have it already, try it and see if it can handle the the head height and the volume of water you want. If not, then you will need to purchase a larger pump. Keep the orginal pump for maybe starting seedlings or a small quarantine fish tank or even make a water decoration for your outdoor table. Lowe's have some interesting water decor that look easy to replicate.

Hmmmm. You give me much to think about. I was amused reading Joel's book, that he just mixes a bunch of seeds together and sprinkles them all over the growbeds! Seems like there would be a lot of waste, but who am I? I guess I'll have to drag myself to Lowe's and have a look at the water thingies. My garden pool is actually from Lowe's, so maybe there will be some neat stuff I can add that will help me out. Thanks, Angie!

Hi Crockett:
I've used the 340 and ~220 gallon per hour fountain pumps from Lowe's and they've worked OK for me. They might wear out after about a year or so, depending on whether they are taking up rocks and sand and whatnot.

Lowes or harbor freight will have pumps that can handle your situation if the current pump can't quite do it or if you just want the second pump as backup or to keep the fountain going for aeration.

Paper towel or cotton balls work well to hold small seeds till they germinate. I've also used blobs of worm castings or compost to do the same thing.

Make sure your gravel is not limestone, river rock is much more pH neutral or lava rock works too but is harder on the hands and fingernails.

Good luck and welcome to the addiction...........

Thanks for all the good advice! Now that we are getting some reasonable weather, and my pool has been running awhile, I am ready to get the grow bed set up. Pics and progress to follow...

Crockett315 contact me, I am new to this website so I can not message you. I am in BVille. gamathers at gmail dot com.