Hi David, welcome to the forum
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| New from Ohio http://byap.backyardmagazines.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=28227 |
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| Author: | Apercula [ Feb 14th, '17, 16:46 ] |
| Post subject: | New from Ohio |
Hello everyone. I am David from Ohio, and I have recently learned of aquaponics and am planning to set up a backyard system in the future. My family had small farm with a garden, sheep, hogs, steers etc., as 4H projects when I was in high school, and I have many years of saltwater aquarium experience (my username, Apercula, is an abbreviated form of the scientific name of the percula clownfish). In the past I have looked into setting up a greenhouse to do marine ornamental aquaculture for the saltwater aquarium hobby, but I never was in the correct situation to proceed with that. As a result of that interest I have several large aquariums and assorted stock tanks to get started with the fish side of aquaponics. At this time I am planning to do a wicking grow bed soil garden using IBC totes chopped in halves for grow beds, and to have aquariums in the basement for fish. I will then do manual water changes to water the grow beds so it will not be a true aquaponic system in the beginning. There is a fish hatchery about 20 miles from where I live that sells almost all of the native pond fish commonly used in aquaponics, and I plan to stock my aquarium system with hybrid bluegills, as they seem to be the best fit for aquariums kept in a 65-68 degree F basement without causing excessive humidity in the house, or energy costs to heat the water. In the future when I have more lead time for the growing season, I want to set up a small greenhouse that can be climate controlled enough to keep cold water tolerant fish from freezing solid in the winter and cool enough to be happy in the summer. We get a pretty wide range of temperatures in northern Ohio, with winter lows coming close to 0 degrees F at least a couple times per year, and summertime highs going above 90 degrees F for periods of time. This wide temperature range is why I am looking into native pondfish options. |
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| Author: | scotty435 [ Feb 15th, '17, 05:21 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: New from Ohio |
Hi David, welcome to the forum
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| Author: | Apercula [ Feb 19th, '17, 12:36 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: New from Ohio |
As often happens, at least when I am planning projects, things have changed. I have looked at the finances for various set ups of the size I want, and it makes as much sense to go ahead with a full aquaponics system from the start, with the knowledge I will either have to move fish indoors for winter, or harvest them and shut down in the fall. New plan, 330g IBC tote fish tank, 55g blue barrel RFF, filter output split in half to media beds made from split IBC totes, 4 beds total, drains from grow beds returning to 100g rubbermaid stock tank sump with pump back to fish tank. A simple gravity fed grow bed with bell siphons flood and drain system. The planned space will be 20 feet by 25 feet to allow a 3ft aisle between grow bed half systems, and around the outside. The space will be fenced in to prevent large herbivores access to the grow beds. I may have to sink the sump partially, so the drains can dump in, and I also have a second 100g rubbermaid stock tank if one isnt large enough for the sump, The planned layout also leaves some room for separate dutch bucket or wicking grow pouches for additional plants. I have come up with 4 potential locations on the property for the system. Pictures were taken at 9am February 18th. (mid winter here) 1) North east of the house. The system would go approximately where the 3 wood posts are.  Pros: Good morning sun, easy access to electric and supply deliveries (a dumptruck full of gravel for grow beds), reasonable access to water source. Cons: will take major effort to get land level, Not the preferred location of the landowners (my parents). 2) South of house, area that was leveled for exercising horses when home was built.  Pros: It is flat, very accessible- a dump truck could back right to it to deliver gravel. Cons: The small trees around it are growing, and are already big enough to shade it in the morning and evening, high summer sun would get through. The large trees on the near side of the picture tend to drop branches in big storms, which end up where I would put the system as often as not. No access to water, would require hauling 55g barrels from house to the system. No access to electric, would require solar panels to provide enough for a pump and air pump. If I ever get the funds for a full greenhouse this is the spot it would go. Continued in next post. |
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| Author: | Apercula [ Feb 19th, '17, 12:53 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: New from Ohio |
Continued from previous post. Location 3) West side of the house, lower level.  Pros: reasonably flat, good access to water, doable access to electric, easy access for daily gardening work. Cons: Least desired by the landowners, no ready access for hauling in grow media and supplies. Morning shade which would be worse in the summer because the angle behind the house, though it would also get good light rest of the day. Location 4) West side of the house, upper level  This location has several overgrown and useless railroad tie raised beds left from when my mom did gardening. The plan would be to rip them all out, use the railroad ties to frame the fenced area, and level it with gravel. Pros: The most acceptable location to my parents, I think they just want my labor to clear out moms old gardens, the best access to water, good access to electric, it is reasonably level but will take some work with the stuff that needs cleared, good access for daily work in the garden. Cons: Morning shade, poor access for getting gravel and other supplies to the back of the house, will require the second most work to get it ready to build. |
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| Author: | Apercula [ Feb 19th, '17, 13:04 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: New from Ohio |
Some of the large herbivores I will need to fence out of any location I choose. A couple weeks ago in the front yard.  Ok, not so large.  Standing on location 3.  My background is in saltwater aquariums. 
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| Author: | scotty435 [ Feb 19th, '17, 13:21 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: New from Ohio |
What's the budget look like for this project David? So far the Northeast side looks the best with the upper west side pretty close behind. |
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| Author: | Apercula [ Feb 21st, '17, 09:28 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: New from Ohio |
scotty435 wrote: What's the budget look like for this project David? So far the Northeast side looks the best with the upper west side pretty close behind. At this point the estimate is between $1000 and $1500, depending on what pvc parts I already have, and the IBC prices. I have seen IBCs locally as low as $50 each, but none at that price at the moment. I have a couple of rubbermaid totes full of pvc fittings in the 1/2, 3/4 and 1 inch sizes, I would have to sort through them to see what is useful for this project. I have multiple submersible aquarium/pond pumps up to 1200gph, and a large multiple airstone air pump. Estimates 3 330g IBC: about $400 probably less 48 concrete blocks for grow bed stands about $75 15 tons pea gravel at $6/ton for site prep and grow media (plus delivery charge, but I'm only 3 miles from gravel pit) estimate $150 with delivery That leaves another $400 for pvc fittings from https://www.savko.com/ (they have everything you can imagine in pvc) for stuff I dont already have. Most of the exterior fencing will be recycled from old woven wire fences around the property. Im planning on 50 hybrid bluegill from http://fendersfishhatchery.com/ and will be able to pick them up there, only 20 mile drive. |
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