Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Pretty sure I read somewhere in a piece about the UVI system, that with proper solids removal, enough bacteria exists on the surface of the pipes/tanks/liners to easily deal with it.
The expense of Lego may be another matter though

If I filled it with LEGOs, I would be building something with the kid later and the exact piece we need would be looking through the tank at me laughing. I already have the rocks in one of my aquariums to pick up some bacteria, so I'll go with them this time around. Being a small system, it won't be any problem too change things up later.

LEGO media what an idea! Yes its expensive, but come on kids gonna love it!

This is hilarious because my kids' Lego robotics team is doing aquaponics for their research project and they've been toying with the idea of making a portable version to take to competitions. Can we hire you? It's only a short drive to Florida! LOL

How close to Disney World are you?

Seriously, isn't AP simple enough after its setup that it won't need robotics? I guess timing the flood & drain from the beds and feeding fish could all be automated with the smart bricks. Is their some type of water sensor in the kits? I've seen light and touch and sound sensors, I think, in the Mindstorms sets. Can the smart brick send signals to open or shut irrigation-type water valves or turrn pumps on and off?
Great, now you have me wanting to buy more LEGOs.

The robotics and the research project are separate categories so the aquaponics are not robotic...for now, unless the kids come up with something. That would really be cool if we could tie a water sensor in, but I have enough gray hairs from teens and power tools to deal with water and a $100 brick.

There's a lot of shape to the lego though. A sphere is the least surface are you can get. If it's non-porous media , lego would be better than marbles.

I have an adult friend who pretends to be buying the stuff for his kids, but really he just loves it, so my real, subconscious motivation might be biased toward sending him a link to lego powered aquaponics

I was just wondering if there is a competition for lego designs and there are a few

It would be original at least

I think the bricks and beams would make great media. It might be more expensive overall than hydroton though and I know for sure my kids would not be able to keep their hands out of it.

Oh cool. Subscribing to this thread.

First thing that comes to mind when the word "expensive" is tossed out there... you don't have to buy everything new. Garage sales, estate sales, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, Goodwill, etc... Worried about germs? Dunk them in bleach solution.

Cool thing about the clear media containers is that you can watch the water level go up and down, up and down. Not exactly mesmorizing, but interesting to watch physics in action.

I've already got PLENTY of LEGOs to use, Mr Bill. I just hate to use them and not be able to play with them...er, the kid not be able to play with them. I still think the best media is something porous as well as having lots of surface area based on what aquarists use in filtration. The best stuff is usually ceramic. So, I've decided I'll compromise. In the back of the tanks, I'll use the rocks and in the front I'll use some LEGOs. Visual effect and a jumpstart on cycling the little system since the rocks are currently in an aquarium.
Silicone should be cured today and I can start final work on this little bugger.

Of course, in an aquarium filter, the media is constantly submerged and in a F&D growbed it will be exposed to oxygen regularly, so maybe we're dealing with a different type of bacteria. Hmmmm...

They'll be the same little dudes doing the good work

Bad news, everyone. LEGOs float.
I knew this but managed to get caught up in the excitement and forgot. So, a combination of the decorative glass pieces and bacteria-prepped river rock pebbles it is.
Test run:


Please excuse noisy kids. Baby girl says "cheese" any time I hold my phone sideways. She knows its picture time and assumes she's the star of the show.