Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Has anyone looked at these dome kits that include a water mass tank? They say the tank can be used for fish or aquatic plants. We have been looking at building a conservatory onto our home, but this may be a better (and cheaper) option.

Can you think of anything bad about this?

We would put this in MN, USA. And it does get very cold. The site suggests warm-loving plants in the summer and cool-loving plants in the winter. Can I do two kinds of fish, one for summer and one for winter? All the native fish to MN all need it fairly cool year round--not so good for a greenhouse environment.

Anyway, what do you think?

Here is the link for the site:

http://www.geodesic-greenhouse-kits.com/features.php

Howabout channel cats and trout. Cage them seperately as the cats will need more time to grow.

Neat concept.

Geos, I hear, are the best forms for a green house. I can't emagine changing out the fish every summer and winter. In reality I dont think you'll get the growth from them (the fish) to harvest every six months.
With that in mind I'd pick a/the fish based on temp conditions you'll have in the tank.
You can have native fish in a green house so don't rule them out.
What part of Minn are you in? I'm in the NW corner of Iowa.

Snow load may be a consideration in MN. Looks like it could handle more snow than a poly covered greenhouse.

It is a neat concept. What size are you considering?

I've always wanted one of those! Very cool...want a house like that too

Me too..i`ll pass though as £4 grand for the cheapest model (12ft) is a tad too pricey and thats a year out of date.
http://www.growingspaces.co.uk/pricelist.html

The 42ft looks about the right size.. if it`ll fit in the yard

They are very cool looking but I'd be curious how they compare to a solar greenhouse in terms of performance in cooler areas. Don't know if the data exists or not. I'm like CharlieLittle, a house would be awesome.

Edited by CL

Take the other half to visit one and you`ll probably get permission.. a 30ft`er would give you plenty of space.
I`m probably about as (not) normal as you, the mere mention of aquaponics to the avid dirt gardeners around here will get you the not normal label, so aquaponics and a dome must be worth at least a "very strange"

Edited by CL

You`re as bad as me I say go for it.. i don`t have anywhere near the space for such a grand design.
I wonder which size dome Aquamama is considering buying.. hopefully its not too big

Heres an old article I found a while back where someone has done aquaponics in a dome.

http://backyardaquaponics.com/forum/vie ... php?t=101&

Thats a good read, amazing to think it was done over 30 years ago.

I bet he got labelled as not normal by his neighbours too.. until he showed them "the goods" that is

Edited by CL

We are in Westbrook, MN. In the southwest corner of MN-- you must be fairly close. What do you raise?