Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I say kind of because I've had several systems with aquatic plants. That's kind of aquaponics right there isn't it?

Anyway, I tore down my planted tank because it was just a lot of work. Then I realized I had extra pumps, a PVC system for my aquariums, I had bags of fertilizers laying around, and a basic understanding of all the supporting equipment so why not give hydroponics a try. At the time, I didn't know about aquaponics, but the idea is pretty common sense. I often use the mulm and fish water for the plants outside. When I was a kid, my mom would tell me to take my water to the garden...

My wife asked me to grow some Begonias for her so she could plant outside. She told me they cost about $3-4 per plant and she wanted 30 of them. Well... yeah, I have all the equipment and all I had to do was buy a few packets of seeds for her and I save $100.

So as I was researching it, I decided I would like to build an actual system. It's not unlike having an overflow and sump/refugium system. I decided I would start with Begonias and lettuce. Lettuce because it looks like it's the easiest but I would like to move into tomatoes and strawberries.

Anyway, the more I learn, the more problems I have in deciding what to do. I was going to do a flood and drain or an ebb and flow system but now I think I'm leaning towards a PVC aeroponic system. Maybe I'm overthinking it, but right now I'm thinking PVC aeroponic system on top, flows down to a blackworm culture, that flows to a shrimp culture (they'll eat any blackworms that manage to get through the mesh), this will flow to a pleco breeding tank (they'll take care of any blackworms and baby shrimp that manage to get through the mesh), and finally through poret foam (to filter out gunk and critters), and to a pump that brings the water back to the PVC. This should provide enough nitrates. I'll also have a Wye w/ valve that I can switch to go to the drain pipes.

I'll probably start with just the pleco tank and PVC system but leave room for the two other tanks later.

So information overload... So I've just been lurking, but I'm hoping to post and get some good advice on here soon and eventually be able to give some advice later on.

Welcome send this!

I'm from Ohio too, specifically Lancaster.

You might have to open your mind a little bit after coming from aquaria, like in general in an AP system you want to keep the gunk and not remove it, unless you have a really good reason meaning only if you don't have enough media for your bioload. Size the filtering for the fish load and have enough plants to remove the nitrates and it is self-sustaining. Also an aeroponic system is not usually good in AP because hydro setups that require teeny holes will clog with biofilm. You want to encourage the bacteria and wee animals, because the more the merrier.

Oh, the poret isn't meant to remove the gunk out of the system, just from the pipes. It's to screen it out from getting into the aeroponics and clogging the misters... (as you suggested can be a problem). I figured it'll keep on generating nitrates in the sponge and I may rinse it out if it gets too ridiculous.

Also, it's the last line from having tiny blackworms going through the pipes (again, mostly because of having stuff clogged up). I'm also pretty sure my wife wouldn't want to eat any plants from the system if when I brought it to her, there were tiny blackworms hanging on the roots. Come to think of it... maybe I'll leave the blackworms out entirely

Thanks for the advice. I live in Dayton. The fish part of my system will be ornamental fish (which is for fun). The hydroponics portion is more of an additional justification. It'll also be nice to say to my wife if she stares at me for buying expensive fish and say, "Hey, we saved $3 on lettuce last week!"

Thanks for the advice though... I do realize I might have to give up or rethink of some of my 'bad' habits with adding this to my system.

The clogging is a good point... I don't really want to use any media/substrate either but maybe I'll have to.

howdy fellow buckeye..
yeah, misters and aquaponics will be problematic.. even with the added filtration, you'll get a buildup of bio-slime that will clog them..nft is probably a better option providing you do have solids filtration..
try pumping your ft water to a gravel growbed, which you can drain through nft tubes back into the ft..

Welcome to the forum Sendthis, you have so many choices. At least you have found the right place for lots of free info, good luck.

Welcome!

Oh Hi Oh!

That's actually the hardest part of getting started. I'm one of those people that overthink everything and so when there are more things to think about, I really give myself a headache.

Based on my info/background what would people on here recommend? I'm really trying to resist the gravel option but I do understand the continuous flow may not be the best. Actually last night, I've actually decided that MAYBE a flood and drain system might be best since I don't have to continuously keep the pumps on (save elctricity and wear and tear). I do want to minimize substrate purchases... so if I use substrate, I want it to be reuseable or something that lasts a long time.



Hmm... I'll look into that. This is the kind of advice I was hoping for... the intangibles that are hard to think of from lessons learned. I can see how all the systems work, but thinking about all the idiosyncracies of each system is kind of hard to wrap my mind about. Then there are a lot of things that aren't published or talked about as much. Then there are plant specific conditions... <sigh> See, overthinking

For now, lettuce and begonias.


Thanks for the welcome everyone.

Maybe I should have an empty tank before I start throwing in livestock...

I do have a bunch of fertilizer available and if I really want to add fish water, I have plenty of tanks to pull it from during WCs.

look up "peeponics".. tclynx did a great study with documenatation to back it up.. using urine to cycle and keep a system running..
living near dayton, there are some a few pond stockers fairly close, so getting livestock for the ft shouldn't be to difficult.. yellow perch are a good choice if the water doesn't get into the 80's.. bluegill are good from freezing to very warm temps
i wouldn't use fertlizer chemicals if you plan on putting fish in at some point

Yeah when you say fertilizer do you mean hydroponics chemicals?

You can use a gravel bed constantly flooded, as long as the water keeps moving. That has been one of the innovations around here lately. See Joel's system comparison between flood and drain, siphon, and constant flood beds here:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=8621&hilit=trial

After the gravel bed most of the gunk will be filtered out although biofilm, algae, etc. can still grow on surfaces. So you have more options once it's been through a media bed of some kind.

Keith - No need to cycle my tanks. All of them are cycled and I have plenty of ceramic cylinders and sponges already cycled. Also, no need for livestock. I already have Discus, plecos, and I have a local supplier for shrimp.

Dave - Thanks, I'll look into that. I would much prefer using gravel except I got rid of 90 lbs of the stuff recently from my planted tank

Yes I don't like gravel anymore either. There are a few other options like expanded clay balls and expanded shale and lava rock so you can do media but save on weight.