Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Site looks amazing, I'm just wrapping up my first read through Aquaponic Gardening by Sylvia Bernstein and planning out my first system.

Any other recommended reading other than this site?

There is a link in the upper right corner of this site for the IBC of Aquaponics which is a downloadable PDF with lots of information and system pics for IBC systems http://ibcofaquaponics.com/. You can also find some good information for small systems through the FAO.

Thanks!

I've also reached out to the local branch of our state Ag college for insight.

My hope is to be able to prove to myself I can do this then move to selling and providing excess stock, at least 10%, to our local food bank.

Cool. Start small and learn the basics. After you have the basics down, expand. Don't forget to share your progress and experience here. We love pictures!!

Welcome to the forum!

My biggest recommendation is that before you start buying stuff to build your system, let the people here know the general direction you're headed in. For example, I occasionally give away barrels and IBC totes for free when I have spares, and I'm located just north of Dallas.

Welcome aboard!

Leaning heavily towards CHIFT PIST with one IBC tote for fish tank and splitting another IBC for two grow beds.

Not sure yet what I want to use for sump but liking the constant pump and bell siphon designs I've been seeing.

Not sure it's right but my big concern here is the heat so I'm hoping to figure out a decent greenhouse design able to capture in winter but vent well in summer and shoot for year round growth.

The heat's a killer, certainly. I'll know in a week or so if I have any spare shade cloth left over from the great Byron Nelson giveaway they had recently. If it turns out that I do have some extra, would you be interested in any? This would be "free", of course - I'm not selling the stuff because I got it for free too.

That would be *awesome*.

Do you use a greenhouse to extend growing?

How do you manage added heat or does shading and ventilation cut the heat enough?

So far shading and ventilation have seemed to do the trick.

Yes I use a greenhouse for the cold months, and depending on the year it has either:

A) worked quite nicely, or
B) certainly kept the rats well fed

Regarding the shade cloth, please let me know the rough dimensions of what you'd need, and I'll see if I have some sheets left that large, or parts that could be put together to be big enough (cable ties work wonders).

Looking at a temporary 10'x20'x7' one on the cheap to start out...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IYFBOLM/re ... HKP9IGBNC3

Long term I think I want to move to something small but expandable:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002I ... _bw_g86_i1

10x20 could get by with much less as I don't know that I'll be using the entire area starting out but that's the city code limitation before a structure needs a poured foundation and permitting.

FWIW, I measured the closest thing I have to a truck, '03 Honda Element. The back hatch is not quite large enough to fit an IBC so I'll likely need to rent/borrow a truck (likely rent one for a day).

Welcome, Houston here! I just joined too!

Long time aquarist and just started gardening. Looking to combine the two.

Just made it down that way getting a Double Bass for the youngest.

OK, I'll check to see if I have a spare 10x20-ish, and if so then you're welcome to it.

If you don't mind me asking, what (roughly) part of DFW are you in? I'm not asking for a specific address, of course.