Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hey Guys,

So, I've had a few friends built aquaponics systems, and I just recently got the bug to try out a small system. I have a 1 bedroom apartment in Fremont, CA. The weather ranges from 35 in the winter to 85 in the summer. It rarely leaves that range. I was gonna grow on my large balcony, but I get almost no sun back there since it's west facing and in a pretty tree-heavy place. So I'm considering building a small system in my large closet with T5 grow lights. I have maybe 10-12 square feet to work with (2x5-6). Does this sound feasible to build a small system in? Has anyone done this? I mainly wanna grow certain veggies and of course the fish.

Can I get Tilapia easily? From where? Thanks.

-Steve

Welcome hope it all goes well, you could still build on your balcony and enclose the area around the system with high grade shade cloth and treat it like a closet. You may have to explain to the police and local watch that the light on is for vegies and not dope.

Then again you may get a lot more people interested in looking and building, good luck.

Thanks Joel. I was just thinking maybe I could built a greenhouse out of PVC on the balcony. Are temps at 35F ok though? I wanted to build this weekend but will my plants survive the winter? How would I keep everything warm enough?

Earthbound is Joel, some local members will be able to help you with local issues.

Welcome to the forum steve

Welcome Steve. I'm near you in Santa Cruz. I have a 55 gallon fish tank with a 6 square foot grow bed above it in my garage. I ave 4 t8 bulbs and 4 t5 bulbs on it. Herbs grow great, lettuce, spinach too. peppers are growing but we'll see how they fruit. In your closet, if it is 12 square feet, its doable.