Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hey there,

at the moment I'm considering starting my own system and I researched about making it sustainable and then... I found it: hydroponics might be as efficient as aquaponics is if you do not intend to eat the fish (here). Is that true?

Some more information: I am studying at university. That's important, because it means that I might not be able to use my system the whole year, but only most of the time. Furthermore it implies that I do not want to spend a lot of time and don't own any land, but only a small room. So if I set up any system, it must be indoors in the same room I'm sleeping in.
I am vegetarian (see thread topic) and therefore not interested in eating fish. I don't want to give them to friends, set them free or just watch them either if not necessary. At the moment I live alone and don't have any plans to change that in near future. And of course money is not too good...

(Maybe there is a group of students who will join me. This could change my space and money problems as well as my need. But let's see...)

So, is aquaponics right or should I go straight out of this forum and into hydroponics (by now my favorite is windowfarms)?

Hi TTgAP,

Welcome to the Forum.

I don't know what to tell you and it looks like others are having the same problem. Regarding the money aspect, I've always thought Commercial Hydroponic setups were way overpriced so I'd suggest whatever you decide, that you build your own, as long as you don't have to buy lots of tools to do it.

Regarding the Hydroponics vs Aquaponics. Both work, that much I know, so you would be alright doing either. I think AP is probably easier in the long haul but there is a learning curve for both. I'd worry a little about the fish depending on how long you wouldn't be around (in terms of water volume and fish feeding..).

Hope this helps.

You can do "peeponics" in a small space if you don't want to have any fish. Just buy some seaweed extract to complement the urea.
A cheap way and fun way for a poor student to grow some plants.

"Hydroponics" means usually that you buy (very expensive) nutrients and just throw the water away every other week.
No biology happening in the growbeds, they're completly dead. In a "peeponics"-system you're using the nitrogen cycle, and never need to change any water.
If you don't want to use your own urine you can use coffe and nettles for example...

One other advantage with a non fish system is that you can just use a bucket as a water tank under your desk, with the growbed/windowfarm at the window...

Just because you have fish in your fish tank doesn't mean you have to eat them.

Yep - I currently run Koi to power my system. Wont be eating them.

One of the disadvantages for me of Hydroponics was having to dump the water every now and again due to a nutirent build up.

Ok, I knew I simply can avoid eating them and watch them grow (like people having ordinary aquariums). But I actually never thought about selling them, because I might need some licensing and burocracy in Germany isn't an advantage either...
Nevertheless you guys somehow convinced me on trying aquaponics. But let's gather some more information and maybe partners first Thanks for you advice!



I heard about it before, but there are some questions I have:

• + Do I need to age my urine before adding it to the system?
• + If I have to, isn't there a "unpleasant" smell? Like I said, there is only one room and I don't want to sleep next to my aging urine
• + Is it really organic considering the amount of drugs I hopefully do not have in my body?
• + Is its difficulty a mix between hydroponics and aquaponics (due to the lack of fish, but the use of the nitrogen cycle)?
• + Is there any easy guide?
• + Did you actually do it?

Thanks for your answer(s) in advance

Breed guppies and sell them locally, I honestly can't think they'd be onto you for permits for a few euro worth of guppies

Wow it just dawned on me

We could actually grow vegetarians in AP systems

I could use a couple to help out around the yard. any one know where to get them as fingerlings

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1. I've experimented with both aged and "fresh" urine. Both have worked, but haven't any data about which one works best. But I reason like this, "there is only chemical reactions that differs urera from ammonium, just add a N-source and let the nitrogen cycle begin".

2. Not really any smell. It might smell a little dose times you add some to your system, but I just open my window for 10 minutes. With good aeration of the system what little smell there is is soon gone. Plus the herbs in the system helps. The pellets I feed my koi actually smell worse.
I keep a flask like this standing next to my toilet. Much easier to "handle" then trying to pee into a soda bottle. And with the lid on there's no smell. And if you only keep it half full there is no chance of any gas build up to explode the flask.

3. Well... "Organic", as in organic chemistry it surely is. And it's fertilizer from a sustainable source that otherwise cost the city you live in millions of euro's to clean. But to be "certified organic" then you'll have to apply for a permit, pay a large fee, undergo inspections and so on. And since no one probably ever heard of anyone doing like that you wouldn't get a permit anyway. As far as I know there is only one, just started, aquaponics farm in Sweden, and it's not "certified organic" because there isn't any regulations for it. Dig deep for that pioneer spirit and get started!
As for the eventual drugs, legal or otherwise, and alcohol you have in your body. Just collect your nitrogen source on weeks days and party on the weekend. You need to study, you know!

4. I would say that "peeponics" is easier then aquaponics since you don't have to worry about the fish health. You can keep a lower pH and experiment more. And you can leave it for days, even weeks without worrying.

5. I've just used the guides for "normal" aquaponics. Just do as it says for cycle a aquaponic system and just keep doing that without adding any fish just using seaweed extract and urine.

6. Yes, I'm doing it. But I just started this summer so is in no way an expert. And have had some problems with bugs combined with to little sunlight to have anything impressive to show for it, but the science is there.
Here is a link to my peeponics system. Haven't updated for a while since I've built a bigger one and gotten some fish that's kept my busy. http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=17629

And another thing... If your going to sleep in the same room as your system keep in mind there will be some noise from the pump and siphon. The hum from the pump can be annoying, or soothing, and when the siphon goes it sounds like when you pull the tap out of the bathtub. But if you get a good pump it wont be loud, but it's not silent.

I think it is best to age urine as it doesn't start out as ammonia and takes a couple of days to a week to become ammonia.

Hi
Q3
page 36 37 in this doc (sweedish made) http://www.ecosanres.org/pdf_files/ESR2 ... uction.pdf

If i got it right, it's like this:

You can use urine as a fertilizer. To make it safer you could do one (or several) of the following:

• + store it
  + use the crops only for people living with you
  + use it for non-edible crops or crops which have to be cooked or trees
  + not spray it on your plants (esp. the parts you want to eat), but the ground
  + not use it directly (~1 month) before harvesting
  + use microbes to clean it

In my case (and maybe some hobby PeePonic gardeners) it would be like this:

• + Storing is possible. If I use a new bottle every day and write a date on it.
  + I only use it for myself. So that's fine.
  + That's not going to happen. There are many times when I want to eat my herbs and veggies raw.
  + No problem, because it is never going to touch any edible parts.
  + Well, impossible, because this way the plants will die.
  + That's the plan

In summary, it should be no problem, because I establish at least some of the barriers. Or did I miss the point? Thanks for the link, SolTun!


Now to Nikenik:

First of all: Thanks a lot!

I know that there will be some sound, but I hope it's not too much and I can stand it. If not, I will try to minimize it or have to stop it and start after graduating... But I won't try on getting any certificate. It's only for myself and I hope I won't need to take any medication (what I meant when talking about drugs ) soon.

Let's see if I can get the support of some others at my university. I will meet them next week and I heard they are interested in Urban Gardening. I will play the waiting game and make some plans after that