Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hey,

Well, i just stumbled upon aquaponics yesterday and it sounds very interesting. However, I couldn't find all the information I wanted.

I know in hydroponics you have to add nutrients to the water and in aquaponics the fish provide the nutrients. Do fish provide all nutrients plants need? Or can only some types of plants be grown in an aquaponic system? If so, would I need a combination of aquaponic and hydroponic systems to grow a variety of food for myself, friends and family?

It also looks like it may take quite a bit of trial and error for some plants but others are very easy and work great. Well, I am interested in growing lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, peas, corn, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, grapes, and possible some dwarf oranges and apples if that is possible. From my understanding, all of this can be grown hydroponically with the correct nutrients. I guess i am most concerned that the plants get enough nutrients because if they don't then the people who eat them won't get all the nutrients.

I am most interested in an ebb and flow system, are there certain types of food that only grow in certain systems and not in others?

Do you have to pollinate anything? Or can you buy variations in the plant that don't require it? (i have no idea on this)

I am planning to use tilapia as my fish, is that a good choice?

That is about all that i can think of at the moment but if anyone else has other advice for me i would really appreciate it.

Thanks, Jason

Hi Meseria, welcome to the forum.....

Good questions for someone new to aquaponics...

Some short answers...

What can you grow in aquaponics?.....

Almost anything, and everything...

Do certain systems grow some things better than others, or are limited to what they can grow...??

Yes, and no... depending on the "style" of aquaponics you employ... and the media

Raft type systems are best suited for low height, high nitrogen type plants.... i.e lettuce, basil, watercress etc....

Flood and drain systems... will grow essentially anything... depending to some extent on the media used and method of water delivery...

Some supplementation of iron (chelated iron) and potassium maybe required from time to time, particularly with fruiting/flowering plants...

pH and temperature are just as important in aquaponics... as in hydroponics.... although temperature plays a much lesser role in aquaponics...

Have a look through the "Members Systems" threads... will give you an idea of just what people have grown and their locations/climates...

I was planning on growing my system inside my house or in an insulated shed. Both would be kept around 70* F. Also, there would be windows for some natural light and also artificial light would be used.

After reading some more, i think i may just build a smaller test system to get my feet wet.

Would you would advise i get a ph test kit, water temp test, and maybe something to test the nutrient content within the water?

Ill check out the other members designs.

Thanks, Jason

Jason, search your area for the API Freshwater Master Test Kit... made by Aquarium Pharmaceutical Industries...

Will measure Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates & pH.... Memeber TCL is from Florida and should be able to point you to a supplier....

Indeed TCL's thread might be a good place to start to give you some examples of what can be done and grown...

I am also growing mine indoors, check out the thread on my system for some info on growing indoors, also Dave Donley has an indoor system if I remember right:

My System: viewtopic.php?f=18&t=4592
Topic on lighting: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=4628

I have found growing this stuff indoors to be fun, its in my office at home so I can watch it ever day to see how it is doing.

Hi there Meseria and welcome

What part of Florida are you in? I'm in Central FL (Just a bit NW of Orlando.)
Here is the link to my Big System Thread
http://backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=2640
Just an FYI 70 F water temp might keep tilapia alive just fine but they don't grow fast at that temperature. They are really more like Tropical fish in that they grow and breed better in the mid 80 F range. Also, trying to grow indoors will definitely use much more electricity for lighting, probably require heating of the fish tank (if you want tilapia to grow fast) and you will also probably need to add extra dehumidification to the house to avoid mold problems. Florida really is a great place for outdoor gardening year round if you choose fish that will be ok with cooler water in winter but still survive the very warm water in summer. Tilapia are ok for outdoor systems in central and south FL if you can provide some supplemental heat through the freeze warnings and cold weeks. Channel Catfish can survive it and even keep eating without the supplemental heat.

That aside. A test system is a good idea. Avoid unlined galvanized tanks. Avoid limestone gravel. Look for 1/2" Brown River Rock. Pebble Junction in Sanford has a pretty good price on it. You can get some washed shells there for buffering or just get a bag of shell grit like used for laying chickens.
Here is a link for the test kit that most of us use.
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/199591/product.web
Another handy place to look for some specialized parts,
http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.php
And here is where I've been getting my pond liner
http://www.justliners.com/aboutus.htm

Just about anything can be grown in Hydorponics or Aquaponics though some things will be easier than others and different methods are more appropriate to different things. Stuff that likes it really acidic might be tricky in AP since one usually wants to keep the pH up a bit to keep the bio-filter going well and if you have well water from a limestone aquifer, it will up your pH a bit whenever you top up. However, I am certain some people have managed it well. Root crops just need to be able to push media out of their way as they grow so light weight media might be better for them or having grow beds of a shape that allow media to be pushed up easily would help. Flowering crops sometimes need extra potassium if the fish feed doesn't provide enough. If your water supply doesn't have enough Iron, some supplemental iron may be needed.
Maxicrop is a good source of potassium and micro nutrients. If you can't find chleated iron, liquid iron might do in a pinch. I got a bag of green sand that I am now trying to see if it works to supplement both potassium and iron. I have also used a few hand fulls of worm castings through the grow beds to help get a good bacteria colony going in a brand new system. Actually a few hand fulls of composting worms right in the grow beds are a really good thing to help break down the solid fish wastes as well as old roots and other things in the beds. Composting worms are quite happy in flood and drain gravel beds.

Anyway, good luck and do lots of reading and ask lots of questions. There are actually several of us in Florida now. I've currently got Channel Catfish and Blue Tilapia in an outdoor system (that I can cover in plastic for the winter.) Jazzyplayermark is also in central FL and growing Tilapia, his fish are inside a shed while his grow beds are out in a greenhouse. JohnnyH is a bit further North and working hard on his AP system. There are several other Florida members that have not been as active lately but are still out there.

Welcome

well said Rupert
+1 from me

welcome Meseria

good luck with your research on here i spent 4 months reading everynight before i started a system and rupert made it easier when cycling by keeping an eye on how high the ammonia and nitrites were and gave me feedback

and remember we love photos

I'm good with numbers not conceptual explanations, so when you get it conceptually, I'll try to help with the finer design points, that is providing I don't get my SAE - Metric conversions wrong again and make an ass of myself.

We still accept you though KP
Welcome Meseria

Im up towards Jacksonville now, but may be moving south towards Gainesville. It looks like i have the jist of it figured out. So im planning on building a smaller system next week sometime. Ill keep you all updated with it. Thanks a lot for the info and help and everything.

Thanks, Jason

A small "starter system" is always a good idea for learning.
We all look forward to seeing your plans and pictures of the system over in a new thread you will start in Member Systems. We love pictures!

hi there neighbor, welcome to the hotel aquaponics

some of these veterans really need to add the cautionary statement. its way addictive but in a super good way.

if and when you need any help let me know. im a rock washer complete with my own shovel hehehe

enjoy this forum and aquaponics. much welcome, johnny