Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello!!!

My name is Thomas and I have recently purchased a 45 gal tank to start own (in home) aquaponics garden. I've done a lot of reading and research but I thought I would get on here and ask some questions and get some opinions as well. My system obviously won't be nearly as large as some of the ones I have seen but I want to start small.

Fish-
I was thinking about using gold fish but I'm not sure which kind or even if that matters. Also, I have read that I should have 1 fish per 5 to 10 gallons of water. Thoughts.

System-
I plan to use a grow bed roughly the same detementions as the tank. I'll be building a stand for the frowned to be secured to above the tank and an elevated top for a grow light. I'm not sure if I should use a bell cyphon or constant water in and out. If I use a bell cyphon, how high should the water come up before it drains? How often should this happen? I plan to use expanded clay for the media and I plan to start small and grow lettuce first and see how that goes.

When you comment or give advice please talk to me like I'm 4 lol. I'm brand new to this and I want to be great at it. I will ask stupid question so please be kind lol....thanks guys

Welcome to the forum tinnmanjr.

The amount of fish you can hold depends on the wet volume of the grow beds. Per 20-25L of wet grow bed volume equals to 1 adult fish about 500-600g eating size.

But with your 45gal fish tank, you could probably grow 2 or 3 fish of 600g size. But you can easily keep comets, koi etc.

I would go for constant flood for your system. Fish tank is 45 gal, 2 or 3 same size grow beds would suck all the water I guess.

There is no stupid question but there is also the search function in the forum.

I would advice to invest into a large round fish tank and extend the grow beds as you have time, money, stamina, partner's permission etc.

Have fun.