Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Simple frame or pole near by and some string.

I like to run tomatoes along fences etc. I've seen gardens where the tomato grow around the yard and then back again.

I've got a few tomatoes starting that race but the Lufa is gonna lap em. (see the lufa doesn't need training, it's got tendrils and will work it's own way around (however they are not always considerate of pathways or staying low enough to be harvested, I've got a couple that have headed on up into the oak trees and I guess those will get to dry on the vine and become sponges.

Just got the tomato plant tied to the ibc frame and trained underneath it. This tomato plant is growing 3x faster then my others in the beds.



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DWC is the way to go for rapid growth!

With urine I've been adding it to the compost heap, works really well! Have also been reading about sawdust toilets but I don't think it would go too well with the Misses. If people kept their nutrient production to use in gardens, peeponics etc there would be no need for expensive sewage systems!

you only get that kind of stupid fast grown in DWC if all things are good, like lots of aeration and the right nutrient balance and pH plus good temperatures and lighting. I've seen plenty of plants languish in DWC when any one of those things isn't right.

I grew Jap pumpkins that did the same thing. Funny to look up into the trees and see pumpkins hanging from branches.

Something to keep an eye on if you leave the luffas on the vine to dry. Once the end breaks off then hundreds of seeds fall to the ground.

LOL, beware of falling food?

I'll probably use a pole saw to cut the lufa down before they are completely dry so I can save the seeds.

You mean like The Humanure Handbook?

Bingo, great book. Even if you don't want to do the humanure composting it is a great book to learn how to manage compost the easy way.

Nice setup! BTW from what I remember the S&S system was originally called bio-ponics from their early info.

Yep read that book, great read! If my wife was onboard I'd do it!

yea thats great guys I do think though the use of fish still has its merrits

No question there, I like having fish in my systems. But some people don't want to eat the fish and are not interested in keeping them as pets just to be fed to fertilize their gardens and so, other forms of BIO-Ponics has it's place.

Im interested to see if this continues to do as well over time. Seems to really be the answer for those who can't have fish or for winters with tilapia.

Would pure ammonia do as well?