Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

OK I have been lurking for a few weeks. I have hated gardening from the time I was a little kid and if it was not grown in the garden and canned you had no vegies for the winter. My job was to pull the weeds and we had about 1 and 1/2 acre garden. Because of recient health problems I have had to start eating healty or go on Meds Good news is I started eating better in Feburary and my test results are getting better every time I go to the DR. Bad news is eating healthy is more costly than the med's So here I am. I actually planted some vegies in the ground. I have started to round up things for a barrel ponics set up and want to put it in my shop so that I can have vegies this winter. I cant deside on peponics or fish.I guess my question is and I am sure the answer is on the site some where, is what would be the lowest temp. that a peeponics can operate and what woult be the lowest temp that a fishponics could operate? I have to get something going soon because the cost of eating healthy is getting into my savings not that I have much but it is costing me 50 to 80 $ more per week. I just cant do that for ever.
So cool site
God Bless
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Welcome to the forum, Back!

I hated gardening when I was growing up as well. My parents are completely baffled by my becoming an urban farmer.

Alas, I don't have an answer for your questions regarding temps. I think the bacteria will continue to function down to freezing, just not very well. I'm sure the info is here on the forum somwhere, though. I know I've read it.

How well the fish will do will depend on the species.

G'day Back..

Crazy stupid thing isn't it when good simple food that will keep you healthy, is more expensive than the medicines which will treat poor health from poor diet. Almost encourages people to have a poor diet and get sick.. Then you're stuck on taking meds for the rest of your life while continuing on a poor diet, and getting sicker and sicker, ultimately increasing the meds required over time...

I'd rather pay my good money to a farmer than a pharma any day....

Good luck with setting up a system...

if your shop is heated and you can maintain a temp around 60ish you should be able to grow some nice leafy greens with just flourescents
there's a barrel/ibc system near me in a greenhouse (northeast ohio snowbelt), he heated using kerosene, never went below 40 and had stuff growing ok, raising yellow perch and bluegill

Hi All
I did some looking and Koi can survive down to 50 degree for short periods of time. I do agree that it is crazy that healthy food is more expensive than the meds.
Keith, Yes I have heat in my shop. I am wondering if the pay off in vegies would make up for the cost in heating. It would cost about 20 $ per week for heat. Also there is the cost of failure not only in $ but I would never but even worse I would never hear the end of it from my wife And that would be bad really bad. So I need to do it correct the first time. Must keep on studying.
Thanks for the welcome
God Bless
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