Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello, my name is Steve and I plan to build my first 55 gallon barrel AP system in the coming weeks. Trying to keep it simple and low cost at the moment. I'm considering this a proof of concept before I invest real money into a nicer system.

I'm in the Chicago area so a year round system will have to be inside if I want to keep it low cost. Which leads me to my unfinished COLD basement.. Just guessing but I bet it gets down to 55 degrees in the winter and only up to 68 in the summer.. Because of this I'm avoiding the hardier warm water Tilapia for now and going with trout and cold weather plants like Broccoli, Baby Bok Choy, spinach, lettuce, and snap peas..

I plan to setup TWO blue barrel setups side by side. I'll do continuous flow over clay pebbles.. I'll get a 200+ GPH pump, but not too big.. And I'll start with 5 trout per 30 gallons of water..

I found a guy selling food grade plastic barrels for $20 but he says the had some kind of smoke flavoring in them? I assume that should be okay right?

Grow light(s) --> I could use some suggestions for a beginner on a budget.. $50/barrel would be fine.

ANY additional comments or suggestions? I'd love to hear them.

Thank you in advance

mate give my bro casey a call, he lives in Peoria, Casey, mid-west aquaponics 309-222-0977. he has all the gear to set you up, plans, designs all that sort of thing.

Thank you sir.. I will connect with Casey shortly..

too easy cobber.