Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello all, I'm here in the Great state of TX, near Dallas/Ft. Worth in a town called Bedford. I have chatted with RS_ from APHQ so I know he's in the area. Anyone else? Anyway I am starting my system in about 2 weeks. Very excited!

Current plan is to use a 275gal IBC for FT (Tilapia). use a 55 gal barrel for swirl as well as another for sump. Then I will have two 3x8ft (15" high) EPDM lined wood DWC/raft grow beds (stacked on top of each other). The bottom one will be for short plants (lettuce and stuff) with fluorescent lights below the upper GB. Then taller plants (tomatoes and such) in the upper GB with more lights above them. The AP will be located in a 9x9 room built in my garage and connected to my HVAC so it will remain between 70 -85 degrees F year round. (these plans of course are subject to change) I am of course open to any and all suggestions! Thanks

I will of course keep you all posted throughout the build.

Wolgie

Welcome Wolgie!

You may find it too expensive to grow vegetables under electric lights, is there any way to get sunlight to the plants?

No doubt - especially with all that free sunshine we get in Texas!

Hey Dave, thanks for the reply. Not really I figured, I was better off indoors so I can control the environment. Other than no sunlight, the temp stable, no bugs, no dirt or excess water entering system. As far as lights I found this formula can anyone tell me if this is correct.

Watts consumed divided by 1000 x Lighting Hours Per Year times Average Utility Rate Charge = Energy Cost Per Year

example: For a business operating on a 40 hour week, 52 weeks per year (2080 hrs), and with a utility rate of 16 cents per kilowatt hour the cost would be: 160 / 1000 x 2080 x .16 = $53.25 per year

I will have 8 - 4 foot t12 bulbs which are rated at 40w each for a total of 320w
I will be lighting approx 15hrs a day or 5460 hours per year
with a utility rate of 9.5 cents per kilowatt hour

320/1000 = .32
.32 x 5460 = 1747.2
1747.2 x .095 = $165.98 per year or approx $14 a month

I really suck at math so let me know if I screwed this up, but I am willing to pay that amount and more for fresh organic food (plus all the fun of growing it).

Does this sound right?

Thanks

Very calculated, I like it. Please take lots of pics of your progress!