Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello everyone,
I am very excited that there is actually a community dedicated to answering questions and helping guys like me get started in this hobby! I have been an avid aquarist for years and decided that this would be a very interesting hobby to pick up. I've learned a lot on youtube and google but I would love input from experienced aquaponics growers. So anyway. Here's my situation. Where I live it is impossible to find the first thing hydroponic related because, well, no one does it. So I order everything off Amazon. Well I just bought clay pellets and I am working on a Bell syphon, I just went out and purchased all I needed (I hope) today and I was wondering a few things.



1) Nitrogen Cycle - I know im going to have to cycle my Rubbermaid tote full of goldies and was wondering if I could use Tetra Safe Start + to jump start the cycle. I also had considered using some old filter floss and padding the bottom of my grow bed with it to jump start. Is this recommended?
2) Set up - I am running a very small set up and would like to know is a bell syphon the best way of keeping my soil from staying saturated or my tank overflowing or if I should just use a raised inlet tube with a guard on it so no soil can return to my tank? Can I just put it near a window and let the natural sunlight do the trick or should I invest in a grow light.
3) Plants - What plants would you suggest for a micro indoor system? We are talking 2-4Lbs here. Also any other tips or tricks would be nice! Cant wait to hear from you pros on my new hobby:)

Welcome to the forum Daniel

Thank you. I built a bell syphon and should get my media today

1. I'd just let nature take it's course and save your money, you don't need to buy anything to add since the nitrifying bacteria are pretty much everywhere.

2. There are a few options - bell siphons either on a timer or with continuous flow are two options and another option is Constant Flood which uses a continuous water flow and a standpipe and media guard without a siphon. For a small setup. You can setup your bell siphon so that it is removable and this lets you run Constant Flood if you want to try both. In your situation I'd run Constant Flood because you have a small tank and there will be less water level fluctuation in your tank this way.

Lighting depends on the type of plants you're growing and the amount of light that comes through the window. If you're trying to grow plants that need lots of light they you'll probably need supplemental lighting. If you're growing lettuce or plants that don't need as much then you might have enough.

3. This goes back to the lighting but for a small system I'd try lettuce, basil, parsley, oregano and other plants that either grow small or can be kept small by harvesting or pruning.

great advice I had lettuce in mind anyway thanks for all the tips!