Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hey everyone

Just wanted to introduce myself. I'm very, very green when it comes to AP, and after doing a google search, this seemed like a good place to set some roots.

I'm looking over my options, gathering as much info as possible while I work towards obtaining the necessary materials (food-grade barrels, etc.). I'd like to get a setup with some sort of edible fish (crappie would be fantastic), growing (perhaps) tomatoes, spinach, maybe some herbs.

The zone where I live (known as the High Desert out here) is designated USDA 9a, which means it gets fairly cold for Southern California. In the winter, temperatures dip down as low as 20 degrees F, and in the summertime I've seen it get up to 128 degrees F. On average, however, I'd say we hit about 28 degrees F once or twice a year, and about 120 degrees F with about the same frequency.

I'm guessing a larger system (such as one IBC container) might be easier to manage, due to the larger amount of water holding its temperature better. On the other hand, I'd rather start off with a smaller system, for cost and complexity considerations.

I have about three years experience as a rough carpenter, and have completed most of my undergrad work towards an engineering degree (probably software engineering, not bio or agriculture unfortunately).

I'd like to get everything powered by solar panels eventually, with the ultimate goal of making the system feed off of our composted waste (vegetable matter). If that means getting into vermiculture, I'm perfectly fine with that (I think).

I was wondering if anyone had some advice? I'm trying to do this with a budget of $200 but a large amount of time and plenty of tools on hand. Does anybody have any input on an edible fish species that might be appropriate for my neck of the woods? As much as I prefer the taste of crappie, I'd settle for catfish, tilapia, or some other edible fish for the sake of getting it right. I believe trout might also be a possibility, as there's an open-air hatchery not too far away.

Thanks, and I look forward to being a part of this community

Welcome Alienprophecy! We have a SoCal rollcall thread too. You might give a shout out there too! As for building a system for under $200... I'm not sure how to do it if you want to get any serious ammount of fish or vegetables. Perhaps a barrelponics system like Nate makes. To be candid, a quality pump will take a big chunk of that. I would say, saving money up front on a pump will cost you more in the end. Better to spend it up front.

Thanks, I'll pop into the other thread as well

I'm sure that $200 will be a challenge, and I certainly don't want to skimp on a pump. I'm hoping that I'll be able to pick up a lot of the materials I need on Craigslist and from other places. I can be pretty resourceful when inspired

I think I'll have some leeway in the budget, so long as it adds value to the house. As such, I'm considering digging up a trout pond/stream...but all that remains to be seen as I continue to learn.

I'm also considering converting a queen-sized metal bed frame into the grow bed, as we happen to have one lying around with some plywood.

Anyway, nice to meet you, and thanks for the advice

Welcome alienprophecy!

Thank you, glad to be here I was looking deeper into things until about 2:00 AM last night...in particular, I was reading over Ronmaggi's Porchponic thread. Looks like I've got a lot to learn and do

I tend to make a lot of work for myself. It can be done much easier than I did it, I just wanted to cram a lot into a small space.

Ron wrote: "We have a SoCal rollcall thread too."

Can you please post a link? I couldn't locate a SoCal thread or group.

Thanks.

You know tomhill?

Welcome aboard!