Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I've been experimenting with using a small aquaponics setup to help remove nitrates from my 75G African Cichlid aquarium to reduce the frequency of water changes (which are a PITA). I'm using a rubbermaid box as a sump/DWC container, and I've currently got a handful of Philodendron cutting in net pots sending roots out like crazy.

So... I think I've got the AP bug.

I'd like to set up a small outdoor system, either on my deck, in the ground, or split between the two. Ideally, I'd like to have a small fish pond under the deck and a small hot house in one corner of the deck that contains a few GBs. The pond would act as the sump, constantly pumping water up to the deck GBs (12 feet above) which would flood and drain back into the pond.

So... does this simple setup sound do-able? Any problems with a 12+ ft elevation difference?
With a 2x4 and film hot house, what kind of growing season could I expect in southern indiana?
What type of fish would you recommend?

Thanks!
Bean

Meant to attach a pic of my tank and sump.

Wow, well done - might have to convince the minister for finance that we should do that to our fishtank

The 12 foot height difference will be a problem, but it is doable, just requires a lot more power.

I'll leave the growing and fish questions to those more qualified with american conditions.

welcome beanblog...

your indoor setup look great .

Hi Beanblog and welcome.

The 12' height difference will mean that you will require a fairly strong pump with lots of head to it. Otherwise it should all work quite well. though you will need to make sure you have plenty of depth in the pond if you are pumping from it and then draining back. That is to say, the fish will have some what of a tide effect, water will drop while being pumped up to the grow beds ..then the tide comes in when the water drains back.. So the considerations would be total water depth and also ensuring that there is enough water for the fish at the "low water" mark.

H.