Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi to all, the name is John and I live in canada, approximately 20 minutes from niagara falls. I have been driving commercial transport trucks for the last 17 years, and have seen more than enough crazies on the road. Its time for a change. I dound out about aquaponics about 6 months ago, and have been doing non-stop research and studying since. I am very thankful to have found this forum.

I am planning on starting my first aquaponic setup as soon as the ground thaws, roughly 2 months from now. Digging out a sump is enough work on its own with out the ground being frozen. I have most of my system planned out, (both what i'd like, and what i can afford to start with) as well as ideas of where i would like to take it. Here in canada, it hasnt taken off quite as well as most other places. Maybe due to the seasonal diversity, or just alot of lazy people, regardless, I want to be in on the forefront and eventually progress to a large scale commercial opperation.

I am looking forward to joining this community, and getting to know you all, as much as i am looking forward to the lifestyle change as well as hopefully a career change.

I will find the correct place for this, but till then, heres a brief overview of where i plan on starting off.

2 1000L ibc totes for fish gravity fed to a radial flow, followed by a fine solids filter both made in 55 gallon foodgrade barrels then to another 1000L ibc for bio media down to a burried ibc sump. Using a single pump in the sump with a split flow design to recirculate and supply a horizontally stacked nft system.

I chose nft for a couple good reasons. I have 2 large dogs whom i do not want using a dwc like a lake of bathing tub. Also with the local pests, nft allows me to get it higher off the ground. There are several stray cats around, and watching what they do to flowerbeds, even raised ones, i chose not to offer them a media bed to use as a personal litter box.

Well so far, thats me and where i am headed. I have a family of 8 and always have my hands full, i am really looking forward to feedback and oppinions, i am super excited and want to see this through.

Cheers!

John
Aka Johnnynorth

Maybe there it has been, here we got a fair bit of snow. Almost like it was when i was a kid. If history repeats its self, should be a good growing season, if not, i may have to look for a water chiller. Geo thermal is way out of my budget right now.