Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

We started out two years ago adding a Chevy Volt then a DIY Solar install that covered the Volt and our whole house. I added Mini Splits for HVAC so I could use solar to heat with. we should netzero this year.

We then added 8 chickens for eggs. Now I want to grow more of our food. We did square foot gardening that worked well until the weeds took over and our water is expensive. I really think it uses to much water.

That leads me to here and I am starting to read and reaching.
I am thinking IBC with four one foot deep with rock to grow in to start with. Maybe adding another four next year if all goes well.

How many IBC growing beds can one IBC with fish support?
I would like to maybe close it in before winter comes. Maybe buy old windows off craigslist list and build a green house?

We have lot of room so space is now an issue.

I am in the research and planning stage.
I am excited about the project but I have a lot to learn and read how other before me have done it.

If you know of a similar build on here please point me in that direction so I can read how someone else did it.

I found where someone posted a link to a PDF. This looks like a great read.

Appendix 8 has a step by step guide to constructing a small scale aquaponic system with material list.
http://www.fao.org/3/a-i4021e/index.html

This looks very interesting. I just bought a small MIG welder Hobart 140 that might give me other options.

Also read the IBC's of Aquaponics link at the top of the page. It is a great resource to start with.

Hi Mark,

Welcome to the forum. Floridafishin beat me to it, on the top right hand corner of the page you'll find the link to the IBC's of Aquaponics. Download the PDF version, it's free and gives lots of examples of IBC systems as well as helping with the basics. Any other questions you have people here will be glad to help you with and lots of them have already done it.

As far as the grow beds supported by one IBC, I'll stick my neck out and just say 4 to 6 but it really depends on too many things to make anything but a guess. Some plants are heavy feeders, then there's the number and size of fish in the tank, and the media you're using (what if anything it's contributing) ....

Cheers

Thanks,
I downloaded that PDF first. I have been looking at the systems in it and reading.