Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

So it's been about a year since I've been here
I had a largely unsuccessful attempt at aquaponics about a year ago. I'm in Ontario Canada and now have adequate space to do this properly.

I am going to be doing an indoor system in my basement. It is unfinished and already has a small water leak so not to worried about having tanks.

I'm trying to keep my build as budget as possible but am willing to spend money on it as it is going to pay itself off while I goto college.

So I am definitely looking for suggestions on grow medium, cheapest thing to use as a tank ( want Tilapia) and any information on owning Tilapia for food privately in Ontario Canada, where to buy them and how to breed Them?

So far I've been planning on using 55 gallon blue drums. 1 as a tank and 2 cut in half for grow beds. I've also contemplated using a Plano plastic shelf with shelf flipped upside down as a grow bed but undecided atm. My family wants bell peppers, your every day spices such as rosemary, oregano, chili's, etc. Cucumbers, tomatoes, beans, strawberries and raspberries. We want fruit too but have to research non tree fruits more.

Anything you can suggest is greatly appreciated.

For reference my last system was a 75 gal aquarium with a raft ontop. The pet store I bought from sold me overly expensive species that ate my roots and we're not community fish as they told me and they ended up killing each other and it was just a huge disaster! Had I just gone with something more simple and not went on their advice then I probably would have done well.

Also the fish in my system are honestly just an added bonus since I am the only one in family that eats fish it is never on the grocery list. This will provide me a nice luxury whenever they grow so I don't need quick growth etc. They are there for the plants and a nice treat for myself on occasion

A few thoughts.......

1. Why not consider a small iAVs setup. It's scaleable to something small as you are describing, and can be scaled up as your need grows. And it reduces the number of complications you don't need while tending to family and college studies.

2. Raising fish to edible size in a 55 gal drum? Hope you're patient. Not sure about tilapia, but some fish growth rates are effected by their surroundings/environment/space available. Hell, I'd be happy to "go" after being raised in a space not much larger than a walk-in closet, relatively speaking. You'd be better advised to go to your local fish 'n chips place for your fish fix. If the 75gal you mentioned is still available, set it up, stock it with some interesting pretty fish, use the water for the sandbed/biofilter and enjoy the fish tank.

3. Speaking from my own experience, the menu you've described as your family's desires seems a bit optimistic if you're expecting quantity over an occasional treat. Root crops such as beets, potatoes, and carrots can be grown in iAVs if that's something that interests you.

Good luck in your endeavor......and college degree.

I've read 3 or 4 Tilapia are safe in 55 gal. I believe they'd mature in about 1 year. Which I'm fine with. Not a clue about iav but I have done my research on aquaponics. Mainly my need right now is to find a way to store water cheaply. As ibcs seem to be a few hundred and even barrels and stock tanks are over or around the 100 mark. Which I mean for 55 gal I can get a 50 gal bare aquarium for under 50. I've been thinking about repurposed a bath tub if I can find one. I've thought about using rubbermaids but once again they are expensive and I'm afraid won't hold the water weight. The other lucrative option I have considered is a frame pool.

To complete your "research on aquaponics", http://iavs.info/what-iavs-is/

This sounds interesting. Basically replace the rocks or clay with sand.
Now the only question I have myself asking... Will the sand provoke mold? And aside from sand vs typical gravel or clay is there any difference in the setup? Sand would be far cheaper since I can get it for free.