Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

New system build. Over and under growbeds inside constructed of cattle feed bunks and 140 gal. stock tank. See "Otterponics" on facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3 ... 5117827182

What are you intending to grow....

Anything that developes extensive roots may well lead to those trays becoming root bound... and forcing the water level up over the media... and/or the sides...

Looks like you're using an overflow standpipe arrangement... make sure you can adjust the inflow so as to not overwealm them...

Ready for Tilapia and plants as soon as the nitrification process is complete.

Hey Dave how did you get the tub painted blue?

I used Ames Blue Max rubber paint.......'bout 4 coats with a roller. http://www.acehardware.com/largeImage/i ... 9273dt.jpg

Hmm , pricey stuff but might be very usefull. How fast does this stuff go bad?

Interesting set up.... Have to ask, what is the upright pipe thing in the fish tank??

The uprite thing you see is part of some fish condo's I put together. One set is made from some scrap foam core pvc (oop's) and I just haven't weighted it down yet since it floats unlike the others. It's temporarily sitting on top of a 5 gallon bucket with a few 4" holes drilled in it (another fish condo).

Progress on garage aquaponics.

garage aquaponics project

Great looking set up man. The one thing that sticks out to me is the elongation of the lettuce plants which has got to be from the low light source. If you can put those flourescents on moveable hangers and drop them down to about 2" off of the plants you will get a lot better/denser growth. Then just move the lights up as the plants grow.

That's some real growth Dave! What fish are in the system right now? What kind of lights are those they seem to work really well!

10 goldfish and 19 Tilapia fingerlings. T-12 Sylvania Gro-lux 40 watt. Fixtures bought off craigslist for 15.00 each, repainted white on the outside and reflective silver inside. Bottom tier of lights are adjustable, top tier are fixed for the taller tomato plants. Crops in the system ate Lettuce, cauliflower,cherry tomato's (lots of little green one's on the plants), and broccoli. Doing a bit better than the hydroponics on the opposite wall (I need to convert it to aquaponics).

Dave, looks like your systems doing well, glad to see things working as they should.

Why T12 instead of T8 bulbs? I would have mentioned T5 bulbs but I think these are overpriced and not worth the cost. I can't vouch for the accuracy of this information but thought this website might interest you;
http://www.unvlt.com/nema_retrofit.html

Very interesting. Especially the cost savings which I'm all about. I wonder if the wide spectrum still applies? I need to research a bit more....