Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I'm hoping to get some insight as to the best way to go about my aquaponics set up and what equipment to use (lights, aerators, and pumps). I bought the Murray Hallam DVD's and decided to do his CHOP 2 system with the 330 gallon IBC totes (which i have already acquired) in my 313 sq/ft basement. I plan to start with 1 fish tank, sump and (3) 1 foot deep grow beds with the idea to add another Chop 2 after i get a feel of how it all works. My current budget for this project is $2000-2500. The basement still needs electrical work done but i'm only being charged for materials . The space is 16.5' x 19'. I live in Washington state and in a neighborhood with not alot of property hence the idea to do this in my basement (plus to be able to do it year round). I'm stuck between the idea of using Tilapia or Trout. I know Trout will be easier to get my hands on but considering i'm using square ibc's not sure if i'll be able to maintain the proper waterflow/movement the trout need? any thoughts? Tilapia sound like a great choice since they have a little broader tolerance in error on my part (atleast from what i have read so far). I'm open to suggestions----- So aside from that.. Lighting? Should i obtain T5's as well as HID's and MH's? I'm not very knowledgeable in that area. I guess i need to read up on the benefits of each light... Also... pumps? I believe i want a mag drive pump with ceramic shaft but unsure of what brand/model i need. If i'm picturing his (Murray's) set up right; max head should be 4ft? well actually- i do also want to do vertical towers for strawberries and such so i suppose the head could be as high as 6-7 ft or so?.... Definitely seeking ideas and alternatives.
So i need to know about pumps, lights, fish selection (best for WA State/ setup) oh and aerators. As suggested in the DVD's i plan to cycle my system fish free and maybe after first start with goldfish (something cheap) to get a good grasp on it before i go into raising a fish for consumption. Please share any and all suggestions you may have. Thank you.

Well I have only been operating for four months and I can say there is a small learning curve. My system is not currently doing the greatest, but I can tell you that I think Tilapia are a great choice. I have found that they are very forgiving. How in the world my fish are still alive, I have no idea.I'd be embarrassed to tell you what I've put them through. Despite that, they've grown pretty big in only three month. I also would suggest forget the gold fish. If you can find a supplier in your area go straight to the Tilapia. They're not expensive as fry or fingerlings; probably cheaper than gold fish. Another suggestion is remember to be balanced when it comes to deciding how many fish. In the video Murray says 1:1 grow space/fish space. And he says you can stretch the grows space to 2:1 or even 3:1. If I had to start again I would stock a lower fish volume.

Okay, cool thanks for the input.. I still have alot more reading and prep work to do before i'm to the point of circulating water. I'm shooting for mid to late July to start.

One thing nice about growing in a basement is it's pretty easy to control temperature.

You could easily do either tilapia or trout (possibly both in separate smaller systems). Tilapia will need much higher temps for best growth (around 80). Depending on your basement and the heat given off by your lights plus the amount of insulation, you might find it easier to grow one or the other of these fish.

I've grown trout indoors in the basement, and was able to grow them through July and August which get to hot for trout outdoors here in the Northwest. Since my setup wasn't in a heated part of the basement I chose not to try Tilapia.

If you haven't looked at the IBC of Aquaponics I would recommend that you do this and get an idea of what others have done - Here's the link http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/component/content/article/1/180-the-ibc-of-aquaponics.html

I used T8's and individual CFLs, they worked but had to be close to the top of the plants - others here can give you better advice regarding your lighting. I don't feel you get much extra bang for the buck using T5 bulbs. Lighting is the big down side to doing this indoors and you'll definitely see this in your power bill - I think LED lighting will eventually help with this as prices for these continue to fall..

Laguna MaxFlo Pond pumps are good. Very reliable and very low energy useage. Make certain whatever pump you choose can deliver the amount of water you need at the max head height.

Why CHOP2? Seems like you could do CHIFT PIST aka CHOP just as easily. I'd loose the siphon and run Constant Flood so the FT and ST would both have stable water levels. This way you could use the ST for stocking something else if you wanted.

Post some pics as you build, people here always enjoy watching the progress.

Yep, like Scotty says, go for a straight chift pist system, much better and easier...

Trout work well for us in an IBC depends on your temperatures there I guess..

So i'm trying to understand the Chift pist.... not sure if i understand it correctly- so i just have the fish tank higher than the grow beds and use gravity to constantly flow water into the grow beds which drain into the sump and the sump pumps back into the fish tank? are the grow beds constantly filled with water? do they ever drain all the way out?

Thats exactly it...

You can have the growbeds constantly flooded or you can have them flooding and draining with siphons, up to you..

A word of caution - The sump size is affected by which way you run. Flood and drain will require a larger sump because all the beds could drain at the same time. The sump has to be able to handle all the water coming in until the pump catches up. If you set up for flood and drain you can switch to CF by just removing the siphons.

What is the benefit of having it constantly flooded? don't you want the system to drain to draw oxygen down into the media and to the roots?

Constant Flood allows you to use a smaller sump tank and allows you to maintain a constant level in the sump tank. This makes the sump less expensive to buy (smaller tank) and more useable for fish carrying capacity (water doesn't fluctuate)

Because you're always circulating the water oxygen is not an issue using Constant Flood. Have a look at the BYAP trial systems thread for a side by side of three different methods.

byap did some trials, and constant flood had what i would say was clearly better growth at different stages

I started with a Chop2 but changed to Chift pist , much better water cleared up in fish tank straight away i can see everything due to a stronger flow of water through fish tank , before it was always murky i like the siphons but they are noisy could be an issue for your basement . Your lighting will be a significant cost i suggest you set up your growbeds to minimise lights required , dont scatter the grow beds around , put tall plants at the back so they dont shade all the short plants and set up your fish tank and sump to suit .
regards Rob.

Glad you posted that "Terra".... people have often questioned the value of the "ChopII" configuration.. specifically in relation to water quality... but few have ever posted their actual experience...

now can you use constant flood technique with the use of earthworms? or will that only work with fill and drain?

I have millions of worms in my CF system.