Thought i would make an introduction after lurking on the forums for some time. I have been interested in Aquaponics for quite a while but only now having the time or money to pursue it. While i am still very much in the R&D phase was going to pass some ideas past you all, the information and the positive help/criticism on this forum is very cool.
As i live in Montana my options are somewhat limited due to freezing temperatures, add in the fact that while i would like an aesthetically pleasing, and highly usable system i would like something rather compact to get the hang of all the principles and techniques of AP.
So going from there i figured i would build something with a small footprint that i could feasibly put in my house (large-ish south facing windows) and eventually in the very large front windows of the retail space i work in, hence the aesthetically pleasing part. Below is a VERY basic sketch of what i would like to do.
The idea being the main tank (middle bit under columns) would be a roughly 90 Gallon tank, 3 feet wide two feet deep and two feet tall, with a sump under it, the sump being offset just in front for access and 5 PVC tubes in the back cut down the front and filled with filter media for planting. Pumping would be from the sump to the horizontal pipe at the top which would feed the towers and overflow back to fish tank which would in turn have an SLO to the sump.
As i build furniture and do smaller construction projects it would be easiest for me to make this out of plywood and carefully seal it all, finishing the outside with something nicer.
I would be more than happy for any advice or criticism you have, especially on the scale. I imagine the towers to be 3-5 feet tall with 5-10 leafy green plants or herbs per tower Could i achieve that with the size of the tank? Would i be able to pump water around that well from the sump to the top without getting ridiculous with pump size/power. As well as putting this in a commercial space, they already have a fountain and many plants and have given me the go ahead as far as the space, their only concern being and smell. anything else to be worried about.
thanks again for your time!