Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

1. If bugs like spiders, mosquitos and house flies get into the AP to either die in there, or even lay their eggs in the grow bed, what would happen?

2. If a human with the flu or common cold is near the water and sneezes or spreads his sickness into the water, what would happen?

The only bugs I've had difficulty with in indoor aquaponics has been similar creatures as are likely to bother Hydroponics. Fungus gnats and sometimes scale or mites on the plants. So far these have not been a danger to humans, just an annoyance to the crops.

I would not worry about flys unless you you have huge amounts of rotting fish food sitting on the surface of your growbed that might attract them, so don't over feed and if there are any dead fish, dispose of them, don't leave the lying about the place.

Spiders, well they like nice natural habitats to set up their webs but I don't expect your AP system to suddenly spawn any dangerous spiders that are not already living in your house.

Mosquitoes could be a different situation. If some mosquitoes do get into the house, then they might think the fish tank is a good place to lay eggs. However, they like still water so if you keep an air bubbler going it should reduce the chances of a mosquito breeding in your system. Goldfish also like to eat mosquito larva so hopefully if a stay does manage to lay some eggs in the system, the goldfish will get a snack.

As to colds and flu. Well I think it is mostly past through breathing in airborne viruses. As in you are probably more likely to catch a cold or the flu from standing face to face and talking with someone who has it than you are by running up and kissing them quick. I don't know exactly how long the virus is viable on surfaces or in water but probably not a huge danger (I don't think you will have to get rid of your AP system just because you catch a cold or anything like that.) It isn't like many of the nasty water borne diseases. Now if some on has cholera, don't go burying the bodies in the grow bed and then drinking the water.

hmm I hate spiders. I should feed them to the gold fish...