Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello everybody, my name's Sam and I'm a senior in high school. I've been working on an aquaponic system as a school project starting this past fall. So far I've built my system and I'm working on getting it cycled. I've really enjoyed the entire process and I've already learned much about ecology, symbiotic relationships, and engineering. The bell siphon was definitely the most fun to build, the first time I got it working was pretty exciting, I won't lie. Any tips or tricks are much appreciated. I'll include some pictures too.

Thanks!

Welcome to the forum Sam!

Tips or tricks? Umm, how about siphons aren't actually necessary (unless you find them a lot of fun haha)

I'm trying to help our local high school re-boot their system.

Also, my son is going to cycle an aquarium for his science project, there is a ton of science-y things you can do within an AP context.

Yea, I've done tons of reading online and saw there was many ways to get your water from grow bed to fish tank. I thought the siphon seemed the most interesting so I tried it out and its been working great.

I attend a school that is K-12 and some of the middle school teachers have been working with me to use the system as an educational tool (Symbiotic relationships, agriculture, taking care of fish, etc.) which I think is really great!

That is great, keep up the good work. Stay in school!

Our first water test of my son's science project yesterday showed nitrates at 20, uh oh I don't know what's going on there. Might be our well water has nitrates or leftover something in the aquarium or maybe our test kit is faulty.