Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

So if I start small, here's what I am thinking for my first system.

1) Small fish tank maybe 20 to 50 gallons...? Depends upon what is the best deal when I shop around.

2) Bio filter tank....is this called the sump tank? Anyways, this will probably contain small gravel and/or sand. This is the tank that I will pump out the fish water, that will theoretically have the bacteria turning the ammonia into nitrites, then into nitrates. Then I will pump out of this tank into grow beds.

3) Grow beds. Not sure how to start here...I have already mentioned that I own an Aerogarden with grow lights, maybe I could just use that?

Then I just need some measuring equipment and some pumps, right?

LOL

Just a starter thought, as I am excited, but very unsure of what to do. If I had a large backyard, or if I can start one in a friend's house, I will let you all know, and maybe start a larger system, but for now, it has to be my front living room (I live in a small one bedroom condo apartment). Although I will probably dedicate half of the living room to the aquaponics system.





Let me know, if this would be a wise start.

I would also be curious to know which fish I could raise with the smallest tank to start with, I have thought just buying goldfish would work...

Would I have to get rid of the goldfish in the future if I decided to move to a larger system, and wanted to grow something like Tilapia? Or can the two fish live together in peace...I guess I won't care much if the Tilapia would eat the goldfish, but I would care if the goldfish would die from the merge.

Also, I know once I get my aquarium, or if I go into my local aquarium store, I'm going to be talked into more than just a small aquarium and some goldfish, as I am naturally curious and excited about raising other marine life in my home! What else should I seriously consider? I am thinking that I want to learn the most from this first system, and hopefully merge into the future with a larger system, hopefully the largest system that I can afford/fit into my home. And also hopefully the largest system that my friends and I can afford/fit around their homes as well.

If I can get a successful system set up and then show my current employer, he would possibly help me fund a geodesic domed greenhouse on some land here in the local community. My boss is a great guy who has farmland in India, but works here in the coastal states managing a hotel that I work at...Quality Inn (if you're ever in the neighborhood anyone please call us and I will get you a great deal!).

Anyways, really enjoying reading all the pdfs from this web site, and I have a lot more learning to do, but am very anxious to get started and learn from experience, the best teacher.

later all, recommendations welcome !

jeff c

Not sure why you need a BIO Filter tank , thats the job of the grow bed media .

Probably wont do any harm , but why not keep it as simple as possible ?

You can quite often get cheap or free fishtanks off of craigslist.

Goldfish and tilapia co-exist just fine. One of my very first feeder goldfish is happily living in my tilapia tank almost three years later. It's probably 5-6 inches (13-15cm) long now.

i have 14 of my original 30 feeder goldfish. the empty lot next to mine has been the ritualistic burial ground, with a brief phrase said during its toss via tongs over the brush. all my favorites have long been gone, of my original oceans 11, there is just one left, Train. why did all my favorite ones croak, who knows, man i sure miss Dart, he was so fast. Big Frank was huge, now all the survivors are the size he was now. i love the fish, even after i start doing bigger tanks where ill rarely see the fish, ill have to keep this curb found bowfront aquarium going just to bond with my aquatic brethren.

Simplest small system would be a tank of some sort (glass aquarium) with some goldfish in it.

Pump the water straight up from the aquarium into a grow bed (plastic tub of some sort) that is about 1/3 the volume of the fish tank and drain straight back to the fish tank using gravity.

Use expanded clay in the grow bed to keep the weight down and you can plonk it straight onto a couple of boards on the fish tank.

Use a timer so the pump runs for 20 minutes or so every hour.

I have built a couple of small system like this using small fountain pumps and food grade plastic tubs. Costs about $40 and you can grow a heap of herbs in them

@swanberg

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/for/2300593062.html

that's awesome news, I will invest in goldfish for sure.

So is this tank a good deal? I was just wondering, if I buy one new

and there are any problems I can always call the company, but if I buy

off craigslist, I'm pretty much stuck...

???

@brando

crazy dude, but I like ya.

@fishfodder

Ok, that sounds good, I will try that. Maybe I should just go into the garden and pet store, local one named Marshall's and get a 30 to 50 gallon tank there, and buy some goldfish, and other aquatics.

Is there anything that the local garden and pet store would sell that I shouldn't use for the tank, like a particular marine animal that would ruin the water for the plants...I know a lot of the chemicals are out...

On the flip side, is there anything that I shouldn't be without.

later guys,

jeff c

Quick Question:

If I have DUCKWEED growing for fish to feed on (or other aquatic plants).

AND compost with WORMS and GRUBS.

Would that be sufficient to feed the fish? Or would I still need supplemental feed?

Just Curious,

Jeff C

In a word yes you will need pellet food as well

What is pellet food made of?

I read that wheat grain mash, sprouted wheat grain, and other grain mash and other sprouted grain would make a fine fish food.

Would that be sufficient?

I'm just looking for total independence from the outside world. I also happen to have plenty of wheat, barley, rice, and other grains, as I am a do it yourselfer in the kitchen too!

What the fish would find to eat in the outside world, would not be pellet food, so what is the natural replacement? hmmm.....

later

jeff c

the food depends on the species.. catfish and tilapia feed i think is somewhere around 30 to 35% protein, where a gamefish (like trout) food is 40-45% protein..
ohio state has been doing some studies substituting land based protein (soy and other beans/grains) but most are fishmeal based - some folks on this board were discussing spent brewing grains, but not sure if anyone has actually done it
the pellets are designed to provide "complete" nutritional needs, but you can raise enough microstock to supplement the pellets

As F&F says.

Dont argue.

So, if I buy an aquarium off of craigslist, or at some thrift store, what should I look for? My first instinct tells me to fill it with water right on the spot, and see if it holds the water.

Obviously, I can't do this, is there anything else that I can do to check the viability of a used aquarium?

Just curious, as the prices online for aquariums look a little high.

later,

jeff c

I found a good deal on craigslist.org, here it is, if the guy will deliver, I may just buy all 8 aquariums. Two of them have fish and water in them now, so i'll start with those, and let the other 6 wait for future expansion?

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/for/2313018516.html

What do you all think of this, should I call the guy? It's $435 plus whatever compensation he wants for delivery of these tanks.

He lives about 3 hours away from me, and I live on a second floor.

HEHE

later all,

jeff c

Am I CRAZY?!?


jeff

yep