Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Not to be confused with the flatlanders in the west

Name is Erich, live Northeast of Chattanooga. Been toying with this idea for a LONG time, but never time to get it going, due to other projects, but it appears that all those projects are coming to a close now.

Little background on myself. I raise rabbits (have done so for a while, and they are a vital part of my entire 'self sufficiency; program), also raised beds (using said rabbit waste), raise meal worms and red worms both, quail and chickens also are here.

I have a small yard (about 1/3 an acre) but I seem to get the most out of it My water catch system is about done (800 gallon capacity) with attached filtering system (its a slow drip filter system, only capable of about 20 gallons a day)

I have a basement that is about 2/3 built into a hill, and I don't use much of it right now, and am thinking of putting up some walls, with insulation and turning that into my room for fodder( I grow wheat grass for my rabbits, chickens and quail) rabbit maternity room for winter (I lose some babies due to sub 10 degree mornings when they are born) and worms, but was thinking "now is the time to start thinking about Aquaponics.

Few questions, how viable are basements for such an operation. I don't need a lot of fish, maybe 40-50 and a breeder tank, but how could I incorporate all I do now, into Aquaponics.

Can I feed the fish the worms at all? Can I grow duckweed (done a lot of research on this subject) How deep does my tank have to be, and keep in mind, I don't have a hatch to get a big container in, so whatever I use must fit thru a standard door. I keep thinking one of them black rubber tanks you get a Tractor Supply.

I am not sure how much I would want to grow, some for sure, but since we garden so heavily (12 months a year thanks to a greenhouse) but, I am always game for a little more space, and maybe getting some tomatoes and cucumbers year around, instead of just a few months a year.

Also, for a small system like I want, is solar power an option? We have some horrible storms here, and I have a generator, but I always try to go 100% off grid wen the chance presents itself and the financial part of it makes sense to me

@ weissangst - Hi and welcome to the forum Erich.

Welcome from another newbie. We would like to add some ducks to our permaculture, but not ready for that just yet. I will be watching the thread with interest.