Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

hello, Im an army soldier currently deployed in iraq. My name is mike and i live in southern california. During one of my many many boring days over here i stumbled onto aquaponics on youtube and have been totally fascinated ever since. I plan to start a system as soon as i get home. I told both my brothers about it and they were immediately on board, in fact my older brother started a small system last week. I still have many questions and look forward to scouring through the threads on here to find the answers im looking for. I have been looking online and have not found anything even remotely in my area of southern california as far as rescources go so it looks like i will be getting most of my supplies from a hydroponics store. I would like to set up my system in a shed and use grow lights. This will keep my fish away from racoons and cats and my plants away from the pesky squirrels. Any advice feel free to message me.

Hey....welcome......

You could source most of the material from recycling centres.....I am sure.....or just look over peoples fences that hoard heaps of junk.....its a treasure trove in setting up a system....

WOW, Iraq.....I take me hat off to you guys.....and wish you all the best in getting home

Welcome mate... hope to see you safely home soon... and posting pics of your first system.

Welcome GN!

Thanks for your service!

You can get pretty much everything you will need from Lowe's or Home Depot, or Tractor Supply, basic plumbing and hardware stores. One of the easiest ways to get set up is with small stock tanks from these types of stores, or even storage tubs from Walmart will get you going. My first system was a 110 gallon tub from Tractor Supply, with two 20 gallon planting containers from Lowe's, and a sump pump from Sears. I have also been using pond pumps from Lowe's since then along with the sump pump. eBay is also a good source for this stuff. Freecycle and Craig's List can help keep the costs down too. For larger systems an easy way to get capacity is through pond liner in beds on the ground.

Have fin reading the forum, and stay safe!

Hi Mike,
I'm glad you explained the difference between your "location" and your computer's location

Welcome to BYAP, Dave has some good suggestions for you there

welcome mike

thanks for what you do

Welcome welcome!!!! Good to have you and your brothers onboard!!!!!

Yes most materials are easily gotten from hardware stores, feed stores, pond and aquarium suppliers, and for some of the harder to find items, internet ordering is sometimes the ticket.

When picking pumps, you want things that will be fish safe. Avoid any metals other than stainless steel in contact with fish water as they corrode. Choose an energy efficient pump that costs more over the cheap above ground pool pumps that will cost you the price of the pump in your first couple electric bills.

If using galvanized tanks, make sure they are lined as the zinc can be bad for fish (copper can be bad for fish too.)

When choosing gravel, avoid limestone or marble as they can cause you pH trouble.

Get your brother to join up here (if he hasn't already) and post some pics of the system! We like pics.

Oh, and Aquaponics is addicting if you haven't already picked up on that but at least it is an addiction that helps feed the family.

Welcome again

Stay safe mike and thanks for your service, get home and raise some fish!