Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

"Homebrew" is a (funny) old Scots name for aged urine. They kept it until it ammoniated (about a week depending on temps) and generally used it in mordanting plant dyes for wool.

So I know you can make your own ammonia. Anybody know whether the nitrogen content is right for plants/how much to use per volume of water? I guess it would no longer be aquaponics; but I am trying to come up with a
way to grow stuff dependably, off-grid...

I am thinking tilapia is going to be trouble, as the breeding is complicated and they are very temperature sensitive. Anybody out there have other ideas for an edible but less-picky fish?

How about carp? They will eat duckweed varieties and also some plant waste from your farm. My questions on those is, do they all leap/jump? Do they stop feeding/growing/pooping in winter, and at what temps? Anyone try carp? (Koi are fancy colored carp; all are edible) I'm wondering about using the homebrew in winter on the plants, if the fish get inactive from the cooler temps.

Sorry if I sound clueless - well, I am; I am trying to do this in a really low-tech way in order to be able to continue, "come what may". Anyone out there with the same ideas? I will gladly drive and visit you to take a look, and pay you as well, for any help!!!

Do a search for Peeponics, it works well. Many people start their systems off this way, myself included. I'm thinking about starting a second system to run on peeponics + a bit of fish waste from my main system, so that I dont have to worry about water temperature swings affecting fish, something that is a concern right now with my trout and the unseasonably high, record high, temperatures in recent weeks.
You could drive over for a look, but it might involve a bit of time on a boat as well