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PostPosted: Feb 10th, '11, 06:16 
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I'm planning to start my first aquaponics system. I live in Clear Lake -- Southeast suburb of Houston, Texas.

I've been poking around in different forums online and googling for aquaponics information online for several months.

I want to build a system that's slightly bigger than a demonstartion sized system. I'd like to grow year round if possible. I'm probably going to build a greenhouse enclosure over the area that I can dismantle easily during warmer months.

There is a lot I need to learn still and I hope that this forum is a fun place to be (sharing photos and experiences).

I am thinking about Tilapia (only one type is legal here) or Catfish. Probably going to do a CHIFT-PIST flood and drain system unless somebody talks me out of it. I'd like to have maybe 3 or 4 grow beds about 3' by 6' and perhaps some floating raft areas (on the fingerling tank?) or some NFT for seedlings and other stuff. I am tempted to use Totes for the sump and fish tank. I'm going to shop around for grow bed ideas at some local feed stores. I'd like to not spend too much on the GB or FT tanks and am open to ideas if anybody has suggestions. Rainbarrels are available for cheap around here but i'd prefer something bigger.

As for grow media, I'm thinking about hydroton (for the weight savings and other advantages) and using red worms in there for solids.

Also interested in black soldier fly incorporation as a feed source for the fish as well as duckweed or other veg ideas.


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PostPosted: Feb 10th, '11, 07:19 
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Hi merlin, welcome to byap forums. I have been hanging out here for a few years. Lots of good folks with neat systems.


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PostPosted: Feb 10th, '11, 07:25 
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Welcome Merlin!


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PostPosted: Feb 10th, '11, 08:51 
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Houston - it will never work there... :shifty:


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PostPosted: Feb 26th, '11, 11:42 
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So.... lets see the pics. Not to upstage my bro Merlin...but... we brought something to his house today... and transported it fiddler rick style... :cheers:


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PostPosted: Feb 26th, '11, 13:56 
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Welcome! I got lots of family in clear lake.
Anyways, AP is awesome and addicting. Setup a small system this weekend to play around with while you wait to plan out your big one :)


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PostPosted: Feb 26th, '11, 19:47 
Welcome Merlin...


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PostPosted: Feb 27th, '11, 01:18 
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Well, we had a big afternoon yesterday. Brought home the fishtank. 300 gal Rubbermaid. I'll start a new thread on Monday with sketchup and pics of my plans. So far I've got a sump, the FT, and 1 grow bed. It's all starting to happen. :headbang:

My plans and ideas have changed some as I've read more posts, drawn plans out in sketchup, and tried to source out hardware. I'm not going to be using IBCs after all.


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File comment: Loading up the FT at Tractor Supply
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PostPosted: Feb 28th, '11, 23:57 
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:thumbright:


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PostPosted: Mar 1st, '11, 22:56 
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I've started physical construction on my system. I'm starting a new thread in Member's Systems. Plan so far in the sketchup pic below.


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