Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello everyone,
I have been following this site for about a year now, Still learning a lot and still confused by a lot of things. I would really like to hear from any members who are here in the Pacific Northwest as well as the rest of the forum.

I was wondering, if I have a plastic garden pond can I incorporate that into my system? Possibly use it as a sump, I know if I stock it I have to close it off to predators and kids. My only concern that I can think of at the moment would be its direct exposure to sunlight and the possibility of it generation more algae or other problem. Has anyone used a drip system for potted plants or plants already in a soil garden? Is there a benefit?

I am sure some of these questions have been asked somewhere and I am still using the search function but thought since I am here why not ask.

Thanks and looking forward to making some friends and learning a lot and sharing.

Welcome Levi

Everything you need to know will be on here, or someone will know the answer.

I don't see a problem with using the pond as a sump. If it's getting too much sun, cover it up or put something in there that eats algae.

Not sure about the drippers - they need some pressure behind them. Also, you're trying to run your water through the biofilter/growbeds as often as possible so I don't see drippers fitting into that philosophy. Still, look around, someone may have rigged something up.

I had a small black plastic pond from a yard sale that I used for AP once, any container works. It has a small pond pump up to another tub full of gravel, with a standpipe to set the water level. Run on a timer to do flood and drain. As long as the bed is not too much bigger than the pond then you don't lose too much water from the pond. Or you can pump continuously to your bed and not have the pond level go up and down. Shade and a gravel bed will control algae.