Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Anybody purchase their commercial package? Any comments regarding this package or how well support is? Are there other options for DIY plans for a commercial setup out there? Thanks

I've never used them, or heard of anybody using them. But if you want to spend $995 on a set of plans, there would be far better ways to spend the money.

Have a look for a Chattersons Farms workshop, I'll promise you'll get far more practical knowledge from him (who's running a successful farm), than $995 for a set of plans.

There are many different ways to set up a large system. And the best option for you would depend on what you want to grow, climate, etc.

i thought i read somewhere on FB some weeks ago these guys were out of business or scammers or something not good.

Bought their commercial plans many years ago.... In fact bought multiple sets of their plans after discussions with them, they said BYAP would be THE re-seller in Australia and they would point all Australian customers our way.. Within 12 months heard from someone in Aus who bought directly from them, no direction towards BYAP.. Never sold one set of their plans for anywhere near what it cost us wholesale, this was a few years ago now though, dunno what they are like now..

I saw one video on youtube about their intern program. Things that make you go Hmm....

What about their plans? Do they work? Are plans worth the money, especially the commercial plan? Would you recommend the commercial plans and if not why? Is there another commercial plan you'd recommend? Thanks for responding.

TBH, if you need to buy system plans, you shouldnt ever think of doing it commercially.

its like someone who doesnt know anything about boats or water saying 'im going to be a commercial sailfish fisherman".....

+1 on Yav.

Grow beds aren't hard to build, well they take time, and you need to know construction basics, but they aren't hard. Just a long box open at the top. Make it wide as you can manage, or huge enough to walk on and slide the rafts from end to end.

Click on my youtube link, I've got a DIY build in there on how to build one. It's not rocket science. And I'd spend $1000 on materials to make gb's before buying the plans any day of the week.

The fish side is different, there are things to need to follow, but do some research on aquaculture, get some decent books on it, and they'll tell you how much nitrification media you'll need for x output of fish. But I wouldn't suggest commercially farming fish without knowing what you're doing, you'll end up with dead fish, a lot of them.

If I was going to do it, I'd set up growbeds for nitrification, pump the tank water through a drum filter, then grow leafy greens in the growbeds to avoid needing water changes. So that'll be loop one.

The drum filter would drain all the solids into loop two (and top ups would come from the first), into a mineralisation tank, where that water would have added potassium, the red colouring iron, ph would be controlled far more with automated dosing, and I'd grow fruiting plants in there, mostly in DWC beds. But I can add whatever I want to there to get the best growth and fruiting abilities without worrying about the fish.

But that might not be the smartest way to do it either. Which is why I recommended Chatterson Farms workshops:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aquaponic- ... 503?nomo=1

I don't know when the next one will be, but you'll get far better knowledge on how everything works, rather than what I'm guessing is an very expensive set of plans which may or may not work.

totally agree with colum.
even if you do buy the plans and set it up, it wont teach you how to run the system.

like buying a plan to make a bike, making it, then realising you dont know how to ride.

Yep pluss 1

Ok guys, thanks for your tips but I already have a small greenhouse going and want to expand commercially from someone who had been there, done that, and got organically certified. Which is why I asked if anyone had purchased their package and their thoughts because they are supposed to have done all the above and thought I'd like to learn from someone who has experience in the above mentioned. Thanks again

which is why Colums advice was good.....

[Colum] Have a look for a Chattersons Farms workshop, I'll promise you'll get far more practical knowledge from him (who's running a successful farm), than $995 for a set of plans.

presuming Pensacola, FL ? in which case they are up the road.


[edit] Chattersons Farms system thread here... viewtopic.php?f=18&t=12589

which is a story worth reading about the journey to a respected fully fledged commercial system

Ok, thanks again. I'll read the thread

Spinfactor, it would quite nice to see pics of your greenhouse.

Sure, when I get back home I'll make the effort. Might be able to get the wife to add she takes care of garden when I'm out of town. It's nothing to brash about, very small. I have 12 acres 20 minutes from my home where I'd like to put a larger commercial system to work when I retire. Which is why I was seeking a commercial design