Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi all.

I heard about you guys through the SSHomestead Podcast that our member Johnnymax runs along with the Queen and I've got the bug.

Man I'm really impressed with this site and all the information and support that everyone gives.

We're a little behind on things here in Ontario (maybe in Canada?) when it comes to Aquaponics. Even some fish stores have tried to correct me by saying "You mean Hydroponics?" and I end up giving a little lesson using my excellent illustrations

Finding FTs and GB material has been very difficult and quite costly as well. I've essentially found a IBC that I can cut to use as a FT and GB and I'm picking up tomorrow as well as the pickup of 1 cubic yard of pea gravel and some 55 gallon barrels (5). My preference was to have gone a bit slower and smaller but, the cost really is prohibitive to do both a smaller system and the big one I'm going to get tomorrow.

My system will be indoors in my basement. I have lights already from a indoor garden (not pot) I setup last winter.

The system will consist of:

200 gallon FT (IBC)
200 gallon GB (smaller to start with)
Sump pump (size??) (I think I have to do this as my FT will be higher than my GBs)
Air pump (size??)
Air stone (do I really need this? Right away?)
55 gallon secondary overflow and sump tank (blue barrel)
AP Master kit (I was thinking about the liquid)

I'm planning on cycling the system before going fishing for my panfish. Once I get up and running I'm hoping to raise some Tilapia if I can find some fingerlings.

I've been reading the posts on the site and have gotten quite a few good ideas (the IBC being just one) and although I know it's probably somewhere I'm hoping you all can help me through what materials I need to pickup. Links and item names or references to other posts would be spectacular (this is a huge site). I promise to take pictures throughout my process.

Please help.

Thefishingangler

Hi Fishangler, welcome to the forum.

Sounds like a great little system


when you see how fast things can grow in aquaponic, it will be really hard not to through a few seeds in

Thanks Jesse.

I'm real excited. I even have some tomato plants I started and am planning on doing a bit of an experiment. 3 in the GB 3 in my garden and take pictures of them.

Any idea on what I need to setup with regards to:

Air pump
Sump pump

etc.??

Thanks,
Thefishingangler