Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I've been researching and planning for a couple of years. I've started several small systems out of scrap and junk material, but nothing nice. So, I decided I would wait a year or two while I saved enough resources to do it right with some quality.

I have 2 300 gallon rubbermaid stock tanks to be used as the fish tanks.

I have 6 bunk feeders to be used as grow beds. I plan on doing a little experimenting with my grow beds. I have 3 grow beds for each of the two fish tanks. The grow beds drain in series. The first grow bed will be filled with river stone and act as the bio-filter. I will probably do one with styro-foam rafts, and another something else.

I have it designed to run both "systems" on 1 pump. I have a re-purposed pedestal sump pump with a common sump.

Here is some pics of the construction:

Here's some more photos:

And more:

Looking forward to seeing this come together. Sounds like it's pretty well thought out.

Looks pretty good so far. What are the dimensions of those grow beds and where did you source them from? Also, what fish are you planning on using?

Looking rather serious to me jr. Nice start there, no messing about Welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing!

The grow beds are 10 feet in length and about 2 1/2 feet wide. I purchased them at a local farm and ranch store called Atwoods. They sell the same things at Tractor Supply and also at some local feed stores.

I'm thinking about growing tilapia; at least at first. I may try some hybrid striped bass after I get the system going smoothly.

How deep are they? Thanks for the info.

They are a bit shallow. Without measuring, I'd guess they are about 1 foot deep.

One of my goals for this build is to use mostly "off-the-shelf" products. I think I paid around $100 apiece for these.

That's looking REALLY good. 300mm is not too shallow at all, it will work really well.

Another thread to keep an eye on

Wow! Looks fantastic JR, can't wait to see it completed.

You lucky bugger - you've got flat, diggable ground !

Very nice looking setup JRC - clearly a lot of thought and a lot of work have gone into it

wow thats a lot of GB's! I'm definitely going to be following this project.Keep us updated.

Haven;t seen a pump like that before... Very interesting stuff JR...

Keep an eye on your pipework where it goes into the sump and into the beds, you may want to put on an elbow going down. We have found that sometimes water comes back along the under side of the pipe because of surface tension, and dribbles onto the ground..

Look forward to seeing it planted up with fish in it...

I picked up my gravel for the grow beds today!