Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello Folks,

I'm a newbie on here, but I have been reading posts on the forum for quite some time. I am an organic farmer and permaculture designer who has always grown in dirt. Over the past year, I have been doing quite a lot of research on aquaponics, and I love what I have learned. As someone who is passionate about sustainable systems, the aquaponics model really speaks to me. While I have played around with others IBC systems, I am curious to know how you folks run your larger commercial systems?

We are exploring the option to build a modest high tunnel (perhaps 30ftx50ft, for which we already have the funding) to start a small commercial operation.

Are any of you out there willing to share some knowledge or advice (even if the advice is "run for the hills, don't do it!)

Dare I ask, can anyone share business plans or plans of designed systems?

Thank you for all the wonderful information that you all have shared over the forums, it is so exciting to see other people who are out there supporting growers. We need more people out there growing food, so we can stop our dependence on these big ag monsters.

Thanks in advance,
Katie

Have a look at Ryan's build. It is impressive, and he does talk a little about the business side. Rupert of Oz brings up a lot to look at when thinking about commercial systems. He pays a lot of attention to what has failed in the past. He might come off like he is trying to scare people away, but really he just wants people to avoid the pitfalls. Also his rampant use of ellipsis can confuse people. The other thing to consider, how do you get someone to work for less than minimum wage? Make them their own boss!

If you cant make your business profitable by paying labour .... even if your own... then don't do it...

Ellipsis... I had to look that one up!... it's now the word for the day... still trying to figure out how I can slip it into a convo though...

Ellpsis: how to introduce an akward silence into text...

Ellpsis... how to type... while you're thinking...

I tend to use 'em quite a bit... rather than a comma.

... and there it was.

Now look what I've gone and done...

· · · – – – · · ·

Someone throw PLJ a rope...

Then in that case, it is amazing that you get the thought done in only three periods, it would take me like .................17.

Welcome to the Forum FK.


You might have worked this out by yourself but threads have a remarkable tendency to get sidetracked around here.

I don't know of any free business plans or free comercial designs. Depending on the scale producing them takes months of skilled work. So it is unlikely that you could get one honestly for nothing.

I know I am not that generous.

Lots of us are happy to help by answering questions though.

And give advice that is free

So start by buying a copy of Recirculating Aquaculture by Timmons and Ebeling and others or Aquaculture Engineering by Lekang. Then find similar quality references for the hydro side.

I think an awful lot faster than I can type... the ellipsis slow my thinking down.. to allow my typing to catch up...