Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi Guy's

I Created an open source system this summer called iPrunes.

Would like your thoughts on it.

you can visit my instructables sight to get a better Idea.

https://www.instructables.com/id/IPrunes-Aquaponics-System/


Any improvement ideas would be good.

iPrunes is my attempt at an indoor aquaponic garden. I wanted to design a fruitful unit that was compact, adaptable and aesthetic. The design for me also had to be easily replicated and re definable as technology advances. The design used open source materials & manufacturing techniques which are widely available in makerspaces globally.

Its a pretty cool build, well done!

A couple of points though...

What happens when you turn the pump off, or in case of power cut? Does all the system water flow back into the tank? This would mean that either the tank is at risk of overflowing in case of a power cut, or won't ever be full while the system is running.

Also, if you are hoping to fill all those growing pods with plants, you will need more nutrients than those that will be provided by the number of fish that fit in that tank.

Like with most micro-systems, you will need to foliar feed and/or add nutrients to the water using fish-friendly fertiliser.


I like the pods and fittings though (although blockages caused by solid waste could be an issue).

You could create a hydroponic wall panel. Or one which swings in front of a window somehow.

Ideal for a Disco

The technology of fish and plants growing doesn't really advance. We might like to think we can advance it, but they do it perfectly well by themselves if we just provide a space and let them do their thing.

Cool project for projects sake, but as far as being able to grow fish and plants? Have you tried it? Sorry if that sounds harsh.

Yeah Understand your concerns

Water levels are fine when the system drains

the system can fit a large degree of tank sizes

And what i'm thinking is planning some form of buffer to solve the issue of nutrient levels but i'm hoping once i start collecting data ill be able to analyse the system after and create some controls for this.

and agree about blockages where as a larger diameter in and out flow would prevent this.

have a another demo system working and thing are grow a little slow but that where optimisation will help from the data!

ahahah no worries on the commet!

do think farming requires tech tho! the current system are i believe not the way forward! to you tech to better understand and control growth will help.

I think usable design that stands out can only help catch the imagination of the public.

Some Photos of iPrunes







will update everyone on growth after my holes

but we like photos involving plants and fish