Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I know I'm probably going to catch a little hell over part of this system not being food safe but this is more of an experiment in size and modular design. I just finished all of the components for a 3.5 foot / 5 foot complete system. 50 gallon tank and 50 gallon sump are both 50 Totes (Yes I know not food grade but healthier than what you get in some situations.) each of the two growing beds are 2.5 feet by 3.5 feet. the whole system has a very small foot print. I'm planning on changing out the totes for lined tanks of a slightly larger capacity and re doing the grow beds too. (Aiming for good food safe options.) also I'm thinking about adding two more similarly sized grow beds. But first I want to see how this one runs.

I'll post pics when I Get it going.

Well After working all day at it I finally got the system finished. I'll post Pics tomorrow ran out of daylight.

Looking forward to your pics

It's ugly as hell and not up to par with my usual engineering marvels but I was proud. I'm thinking about designing on on a pallet with a few similar features then maybe trying to market it. The only thing needed would be water, fish, growing medium, and plants

Everything else coming preassembled in a nice looking package with as small square footage used as possible while still being functional.

I already had two neighbors offer money to me to build them a system and I haven't even had anything grow yet.

here it is.

Have to tweak on of the bell Siphons thinking about using a slightly bigger pipe like with the other one.

the original system takes up about as much space as a pallet or IBC tote. I build the bottom frame larger to accommodate a second sump and allow two more grow beds of the same type. If I change the top to a single grow bed using a pond liner I should have close to 20 sq. ft of grow space. I L can't wait to actually get everything going. Eventually I would love to have around 200 to 300 Sq. ft of grow bed. on my property.

Well I had to make a few modifications to the system today. The flow out of the grow beds exceeded the flow through the SLO so I added two more of the same so that it gets to the level I want faster. worked great. The level still raises up but doesn't stay that way for very long. Need to tweak the bell Siphons some more.

What's the media in the grow bed?.... is it perlite???

No I just went with pea gravel to start with. I did the vinegar test and got mo reaction so I'm 90% sure no limestone. Although cleaning it was fun. I need to build some screens using different hardware cloth in the future. On the big system I am planning I'm going to be using a few different methods but in this one I can bump it up to four grow beds and test different media to see how well things grow.

Well I finally got the fish and plants in the system. Just as an experiment. The high level of Iron and nitrates in the water will be good at first. But I can't wait for the fish to grow some so I don't have them constantly getting into my sump from the Slo. I thought I was good but they are so small that the fit up through the gaps in the bottom. I'll probably re engineer the SLO anyway.

When I first started the system I sprinkled some lettuce seeds over about half of one of the grow beds. Never saw anything so I planted bigger plants sometime later. Now all the lettuce seeds are growing throughout my Broccoli. Started looking into Greenhouses the other day and got the bug to build one around my prototype. Eventually after I'm satisfied with the way it runs it will be moved out of the greenhouse and I'll start on my next one.

Here is the start of the green house. It's floor space is going to be about 21 feet by 12.5 feet. Used one inch ID PVC Schedule 40 pipe. after I wall up the front and rear it should steady up and then the plastic will help even more.

I'm really surprised how easy it is to put this stuff together. I thought I would have more problems. Can't wait till tomorrow so I can get my Seaweed extract and the Chelated Iron I ordered. Also my book I ordered should be here too.

Aquaponic Gardening by Sylvia Bernstein. I've heard that this is a really well written book on the subject. If anyone has a copy please let me know what you think.

I have Sylvia Bernstein's book. It is well written in a way that non-experts can understand. I see that swimming pool becoming a fish tank in your future. This hobby is addicting!