Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Well Hello There!! I think I finally found a home!! You folks here indulging in this here Aquaponics are all fantastic, have to be, no one who isn't fantastic is allowed to do aquaponics (I think). I'm Scott. I live in a "burb" of Phoenix (S. Chandler) I'm a Landscaper/Gardener by trade. I have had many gardens, and many aquariums and ponds in my life, Rasied veges of many types, fish of many types. I have been searching for a way to make a living off veges for quite some time. I have a BS in Information Technology, and am a mega-researcher (my fiance cringing at my liberal use of the english language, she's an english teacher).

I found aquaponics about 6 weeks ago. I now have a 2 grow bed custom fill and drain system (meaning rigged maybe?) seeds sprouting in one of the beds and a few plantings on the other bed. I really freaked 3 days ago when I went out in the AM and found seedlings!!! I was like "party on!!" I have my first tour at Rhiba Farms on the 30th here in Chandler.

This is probably one of the most amazing things I have ever found in my entire life, 55 countries I've been to (US Navy 9yrs). Who would have thought growing veges and fishies would be so fun. I can clearly see how this could hopefully become an obsession (it already has me!).

Anyways, I have a 2 IBC tote system with lava rock base/Hydroton top layer custom fill/drain table. I used two 14" deep GB, and 600L FT. I plan on changing to the amazing CHIFT PIST setup as soon as possible.

My system is almost cycled with my Ammonia plunging Nitrites lowering Nitrates on the rise. My Alklinity is fine, waters lower side of hard and PH is high still (I have patience), I just wish the lil goldies would stop dying (found a dead one rotting in the drain potentially raising the Ammonia, I had already done a partial water change/add 30 gal yesterday. I am feeding once a day right now. Whatever I am doing, seeds are sprouting like crazy. Its Oct 14, Its finally the good time of year to live in Phoenix! We're growing tomatoes, pak choy, radishes, broccoli,cilantro, dill, eggplant, squash, cabbage, cucumbers, carrots, and possibly some other stuff I cannot remember right now.

The system is has a heater is in a low roof greenhouse for winter chills (my poor beautiful container garden might get cold this year lol). It also sports a nice expensive air bubble pump with a six port manifold.

here's a bunch of pics look down below here!

Thems a lot of pictures....

Hows it going lanscaper?

One thing, I would lower your irrigation pipes down to the surface of the media, stop that water splashing everywhere.

Thanks, That's what was happening tomorrow morn. I've already broken enough seedlings to figure that out. I originally that to provide additional aeration, but after thousand of rain drops, the poor seedlings succumbed to the beatings.

nice looking stsem you have there
you definately need to brace the FT supports better aorund the top, maybe use wood to lock the top square all together. ther than that looks great, and we lurve pics

I'll take a new pic of the FT. I noticed that and wrapped it with plumbers tape, it worked rather well, still holding after a week and a half.

Thanks for looking/commenting.

P.S. tomorrow, I am painting the FT black, or wrapping it in some heavy duty black wrap.