Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi Everyone,
My name is John and I am so excited to learn about aquoponics and how I can benefit from it.
My step mother has a agriculture farm at Kahuku in the island of Oahu Hawaii. She has took over my dad's farm after he pass and now decided to continue his work. My draw back is that I do not have any hand me down land to use with aquaponics. Currently I am researching on what kind of classes we have here in Hawaii. My question is. What should I do? Should I take expensive college classes, take tours on other peoples aquaponics systems, or do self learning by youtube, books etc?

Thanks

Welcome John. How is the weather? I went to High School in Wahiawa years ago.

On the Big Island their is a group called Friendly Aquaponics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAKtufVLRko

Some of us benefit from a college education while others learn more from life's experiences. You will have to decide which path is best for you. If you are going to have to get a loan to start a business the banks will probably look for a Degree from the University. If you are able to start small or fund yourself it would be faster to take a specific training course.

I would start with BYAP magazine and finding all the info, books and videos, you can get your hands on. Then build a system to practice and learn the ropes with.

Good Luck on you Quest!

Yeah google search results shows them. Been browsing their website site and it cost almost 3k for room and tour learning. I must say lots of people go there. People even from other countries go there.
But for now I don't have funds to do that. I figured wcc at windward has classes but now I am trying to decide. People say its easy to learn if you know where to look and other people say having knowledge of chemistry, science and other is good. One good thing about classes is that if I get like a degree it would be good for getting a loan for land and stuff.
I went to the book store and it seems that if they don't even have books about aquaponics. And in the web there at tons.
Another thing is that Hawaii is so small and the weather is good you can have competition from others. This is difficult.
But anyway will start of small learn lots and go from there.
Thanks

Welcome bjacket... you'll find ALL the information you need to build and operate a successful aquaponics system....

Here on the forum.... and it's FREE....

For example.... check out the FREE IBC manual... http://ibcofaquaponics.com/files/IBCofAquaponics.pdf

If you have any questions... search the forum... and just ask... that's what the forum is for...

And remember... no question is too dumb... we all started from nothing once upon a time...

Aquaponics is simple enough that almost anyone can do it. If you can wash gravel, you're good. I would not try to convert the entire farm over at once, but start with a smaller kitchen system, with the intent to expand. An example is Helomech's system. It will be Huge when it is done, but he is already benefiting from it in it's incomplete state. Expect to build out of pocket. Expect that a full commercial sized system like Howling Moose Gardens will be a tremendous time and energy consumer. I am sure that Karen, it's owner, is very proud of the work she has done. I'm also sure she is exhausted. I am also pretty sure she wouldn't have it any other way!

In short, start with an easy to manage system, like those laid out in the IBCs of Aquaponics, then grow, and grow, and GROW! Have fun while doing it too