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This is my current revision of my planned kitchen window Aquaponics setup (18 images) (for an east facing window in my apartment).
I've got a few questions about the setup prior to starting to build it.
1. the box at the bottom beside the tank is just extra for now - thinking of making that into two smaller ones / and using as worm farm box/compost (setup to be determined) - it might just end up being storage space, or it might end up being an extra zone for __________________ ? What could I grow down there and/or should I use that space for? Can I add worms right to the grow bed media areas? Or will that be useless/kill them/cause other issues? I feel like I'd like to use the space at the bottom to produce something healthy for me/the system (but still that doesn't stink up my place!)
2. I'm hoping the area in the sump after the 'waterfall' will be still enough for duckweed to grow - realistic?
3. height of frame is for 'future' lighting if needed (this will be in an East facing window)
4. frame itself setup to allow me to attach 'greenhouse' fabric/plastic stuff if I need to (smell/humidity/actual plant benefit)
5. Water should flow from pump (big black box in aquarium) to sump, down and up around sump and out (gravity) through to top pvc bed, through and down to lower pvc bed, through and down to top box. (hopefully reliable) automatic venturi siphon to move it from top box to lower, and then another to flow back to fish tank. What is my worst case here for flooding (due to a pump failure)? It would be easy to add overflow tubes to the box-beds that lead right back to fish tank...my kitchen is in a 100 year old building, wood floors, and I'm on the top floor, so I want to exercise reasonable caution. I'll likely put a tarp under the whole thing, and fold up and attach to bottom of frame/shelves (with a 2x4 border holding it tightly against them) as super backup.
6. I may add strawberry vertical hanging planters in the open area beside the sump (I'd try that small air pump-lifting water) thing, from the sump, to water them, and have them drain right into the main boxes below.
7. The shelving unit things are one are GorillaRack ones, and are rated at 500lbs/shelf, so I should be ok there.
8. The lumber used is made from 1x1, 1x2, 1x4, 1x8, 1x12, and 2x12's, so I should be able to fit it in my vehicle easily (unlike plywood), and all cuts are at right angles the way I have things - all to keep tool requirements to a minimum. I'm considering doing the planter boxes and sump in yellow cedar. I still need to confirm the best way to waterproof the seals of the planters and sump (but still safe for not contaminating the system with chemicals harmful to it or me! If you have a suggestion, resource, please let me know!
My next planned revisions include putting the fish tank entirely in the front in a L-R orientation for easier access and ditching the 3rd box for now. With adjustments to two plumbing areas, I can start off with just the two grow beds, my sump box on top, and the tank below, and add the frame and pvc areas later if I decide to.
Thank you very much for any feedback/advice/criticisms etc. I'm in no real urgency to build this, though I am eager, and want to start myself off with the best chance for reasonable success possible - the whole measure 2-3 times, cut once philosophy.
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Backyard Aquaponics
