Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I have been wanting to try and build an aquaponics system for some time now and finally took the plunge. I have a 275gal IBC tote for the fish tank and 2 IBC tank tops for the grow beds. I didn’t want an eyesore in my back yard as we often spend a good deal of time out there with family and friends so I framed out around the tank and growbeds and added some nice weather resistant cedar. I admit, it came out rather nice. I added 2 external swirl filters to filter sediment. With some research on this forum, I quickly learned that the texas sun was going to be a burden on my plants. I took a weekend and built a small pergola and weaved a 70% sunscreen through the beams to help block some of that direct sunlight. My growbeds are about half lava rock and half clay balls. I currently am stocking 6 channel catfish (6”) and 40 tilapia (3/4” to 2”). I started with an assortment of vegetables, beans, peas, peppers, cucumbers, summer squash, cantaloupe, lettuce and broccoli.

Hi Derek, welcome to the forum

Welcome! And that is one awesomely clean build.


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thsdragoon - Thanks for the compliment. I looked at your post on your first build, you've def came a long way since last year! Well done!

Haha, thanks! It's been a lot of learning in the process. And I still have a lot to go too.


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Your setup looks really good. I like the wood look.

OMG, Derik, that look's like my house in your pic! But I'm on a corner so it isn't, but we may be in the same neighborhood. Send me a private. I actually just started cycling my new system this week and threw seeds in two days ago. No sprouts yet. Hoping to start a new thread for it soon as sprouts show up.

Ok, it is so clean looking that I hope my wife never sees the photo, she will make me clean up everything. lol

Nice work. Wish you luck and hope to see some plant ad fish pictures when they arrive/grow.

I have been in your neck of the woods. Hot for me.