Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi
This is my first question and please do not laugh. I am new and want to start very small and I mean small.

I need to get the jist of it all. I would like to try aquaponics.
Am I correct in thinking that the only filter is the plants roots and if I start a system of some fish they must be kept in the tank for at least 4 weeks to gather up the nutrients to feed the plants.
At this point there is to be no filter. So the system is the same as a regular fish tank minus the filter?
Can the fish tank be a transluscent plastic tub?
And I do need gravel?
And do I need plants?
Do I start the veg plants in the meantime or do I start them after the 4 weeks?
Would 15 - 2" fish be enough to start, of course I know I must feed them.

Thank you

Rosewood - you really need to do a bit more reading before starting to ask questions. You are way off the mark with this and will realise as soon as you do some reading. Perhaps start with downloading and reading the 1st edition of the BYAP Mag - available from the front page of this site.

you must have the gravel bed in place from day 1 because it needs about 4 weeks for the nitro bacteria to build up. in that time you will need to do water changes if the ammonia builds up too high. their are test kits for this that are about $40AUD.
you won't need to put the plants in right away, you can wait till the nitrate levels build up a little (again get a test kit)
all the plants do is remove the nitrates from the water , worms will most likely take up residence in your gravel bed and take care of the solid waste.
15 fish is plenty - i started my first system with only 5 fish and ended up with a strawberry per day coming off 5 plants.

Rose,

I agree with VB, but here is a primer...............

The way it works is thus;

These are the things you need;

1) fish

2) a biological filter. this is home to the natural de-nitrifying bacteria that process the fish waste into plant food. and medium with a high surface area will naturally become a biological filter in 4-8 weeks

3) a mechanical filter. this filters out the solid poop. some designs need to be cleaned out like an aquarium filter, most dont.

4) plants. these remove the converted liquid wastes and turn it into growth.


1) easy.

2) and 3) the reason most of us use gravel beds is because the take care of these two functions, and if they are the right size dont need cleaning, they will naturally mineralise the solids.

4) easy.

The plant roots DO NOT filter, except for removing liquid nutrients.

a translucent tub would be ok, but be aware that it will rapidly become a green tub

Thanks I know I am not near ready the questions will help me make up my mind if I want to even start, I am very cautious so for me questions are my first step.

Thanks for all the input, just by your answers i know I am not really ready so I am going to put it off and concentrate on my hydropinics and outdoor gardening. Then I can play with this idea.
There is a fellow in here that has strawberries over his fish tank, now that is my speed, LOL I am familiar with regular keeping of fish.

You are very helpful in here and I love to look at all your gardens they are amazing.

That was me

I just replied to another newbie and said that if they wanted to start with 50 gallons which is about a 4" aquarium then the easyiest way to go would be to use a canister filter.

With that you have the mechanical and biofiltration covered (as you would know) If you want to go that way then i'd start off with leafy green veg and herbs, and natural light would be a bonus, just cover 3 sides of the aquarium to minimise algae.

Steve

4'

4 in aquarium is that wide high or deep

thats for the fry F&F...steves practicing on a 4 inch tank when he is happy he will go for a bigger tank

yeh, funny bastards. not my fault some parts of the world (and old farts) wont use real measurements.................

let me rephrase................... 1200x400x400

hmmmm...and I was wondering why you using a time measurement

(" = seconds too )

rose must have REALLY thought i was talking about a small setup..................... There only one person i know that would be able to stock fish in a 100mm aquarium....................

Steve, I hope you don't think I am that dumb!!!
I just figured it was a typo, after all you are a guy
Hey if you guys can poke at me I can to, just kiddding I apprecite all the help.
I just wanted to dabble a little in this concept, I bore easily and thougt I would start small and if I liked it then go bigger. You guys are always thinking size, bigger is better right?, NOT ALWAYS

Spinach would be just fine for me.....

hehe, go for it!

Hey Rosewood, glad to see you here. check out the FAQ section, lots of answers there. it's not alot different from your hydroponic system, just using fish instead of adding chemicals