Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi all. I am just getting started learning about AP and am dreaming up what I think would be a cool system, just not sure if it is even possible. I am wanting to do something in the back yard that would be real nice looking and provide some veggies and hopefully a few fish. My idea is to have an approx. 3'x6'x1 1/2' flood and drain GB that drains to a waterfall. The waterfall would then go into a short "stream" that is an inch or so deep to help aerate the water. After the stream I am wanting to do a pond about 5'x8' approximately. I would probably have a gravel bed in the pond. So, is this even a doable thing or am I just crazy and dreaming big. Thank you all for any replies.

i don't think you want to put a gravel bed "in the pond" that your fish are in..

what are your goals? your fish "load" should be based on the filtration you provide

My main goal would be to have a visually appealing water feature in the back yard that could produce veggies and possibly a few fish. Really doesn't have to produce fish though. I have been wanting to put a water feature in the back yard and love to grow anything and thought this might be a fun way to do both. Would it work to have river rock in the pond instead of smaller gravel?

Short answer is - yes its possible. Not the most efficient but you will grow veges and have a water feature.

The gravel bed could be a bit of a problem if you push the system but it does not sound like you intend to really push it at all. Have you given any thought to the drain system of the GB yet?

RMCPB, I have thought a little about it. I am thinking of making a GB out of wood (I work at my family's lumber yard) and doing something like I saw in a "barrel ponics" manual. Use a pvc pipe covered with a short length of slitted septic pipe to keep it from clogging. On the outside I was going to try to come up with some kind of auto syphon system to go into the waterfall. Hoping this would maybe prolong the drain a little to have water almost constantly flowing like in a normal water feature. What do you mean about not overloading the system? Too many fish? Thanks.

Anybody else have any thoughts on if this is a "doable" system?

It is possible to have an attractive looking and functional system.

Check out pyro monkey's system

Thanks Arbe. That is a great looking system.