Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi all!

I've been lurking on BYAP for over a year when I've had the chances to, and really appreciate all of the indepth research you have all undertaken and shared. My wife and I have two young (3 & 5) kids with a somewhat active lifestyle. We try to do as much dirt farming as our little lot allows each year, mostly in the summer months, though it stays pretty warm here year around. The tag line for San Clemente is actually "Best Climate in the World" and is relatively constant at 6-8 degrees of 68 all year round. We just feel lucky to still be able to live here with our kids, who are the main reason we're looking to go with an aquaponics system as a family activity and self reliance tool that we can instruct them as we learn. I stumbled upon AP here on the internet and coincidentally met a neighbor who has a system up and running, my gears have been turning ever since.

I'm somewhat of a dim bulb when it comes to the mathematics of it all , but this is (fortunately for me) where my wife will shine, she's a wizz at formulas and riddles and is very interested in the science end of our plans . I'm more of a hands on type (aren't we all) and need to read things two and three times for it really sink in, even better if I'm able to use the system as I do learn. Having a support network of pro's like yourselves is for me, the marvel of the internet!

Initial plan:

As I said, our lot is pretty limited and will take any input on compacting the system as I can get. We have 4,400 SF and roughly 75-80% has a duplex sitting on it and another 5-10% being paver driveway and concrete sidewalks, what is left is strips at the perimeter bordered by high fences (Orange County...). I do have two area's that lend themselves to the planning. This first which has the best opportunity for full (but limited early AM) sun is roughly 6'-0" X 12'-0"

265 Gal. IBC FT with a SLO to a mixture of media beds and NFT to maximise space in a typical Chift-Pist setup. To a Sump beneath the FT, again space...

I was looking at two IBC totes to create the FT, the sump and two GB's. Additionally I'd love to be able to have the NFT play a part of the overall SF of the GB equation. We plan to do leafy greens and herbs in the NFT while the media beds will be a variety of peppers and onions to compliment the soil grown produce we usually have (squashes, beets, corn, cabbages). If we are successful I'd be willing to convert all of our dirt work to AP from an ecological standpoint. Water is a big issue here, admittedly not as bad as some places but getting worse all the time and on the long end of a very severe drought.

Welcome make sure you check out everything on the main page of this website. And download the IBC of Aquaponics PDF for IBC designs ideas if you haven't already.

Sometimes it helps to find a system like what you would like to build and then base your design on their work. I'm only a few months ahead of you myself, but if you ask questions and post photos as you go along people are very helpful.

Thanks PS and I have downloaded the IBC of Aquaponics and an planning for various parts of a lot of the smaller units. Picked up three 55 gal. blue drums over the weekend and hoping to pick up the IBC this week!

Met another guy this week that also has a system up and running and is willing to help me getting my system up and running and give me a few fish from his system when I'm ready to cycle the system.