Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

kinda off topic but sortta related : have you seen the prices people are asking for IBC's on ebay these days???????????????????????????? what a rip

Yes for $350.00 you can get one full of water in melb

Gary i like what im hearing ,i especially agree about keeping system volume as low as possible ive been yhinking for a while about this, and it seems to me there are some definate advantages, higher nutrient to water ratio, less water to pump, better, quicker" turnover" Greater control. I think turnkey will appeal to a lot of people i just dont think there on this site yet, its still mainly "do it yourself ,mad scientist" types. But what your pruposing? may open AP up to a whole new section of the general public. Those that missed the message the fist time round.

Thank you Tim,

I agree we need the "mad scientists"......and a good part of the time I fall into that category quite happily. My existing system evolved that way.

There are a group of people out there......and they may be in the majority..... who just want to bring something home, take it out of the packaging, plug it in and enjoy it.

More importantly, however, there are people who just don't have the resources......the money, the space, the time or the knowledge and skills to do this in a big way......even to the point of 3,000 litres and three of four Murray grow beds.

You're correct when you talk about the capacity of small systems and their higher nutrient to water ratio......and greater control.

Of course, the downside is that, if you don't manage the system properly, you get introduced to HSM much faster than with a medium to large system.

Gary

Gary, couldn't agree more....



I'm one of those people.. definitely not trying to put down your idea at all, quite the contrary I've looked closely at your existing system for ideas for my own and will be following you endeavours with this project....

was trying to point out though that too small a system "might" prove to be problematical to manage with to higher stocking ratios per small gowbed areas...

I'm really coming to the opinion that a dedicated "bio-filter" component is an essential "circuit breaker" within a small system.... and really that's what makes the "barrel-ponics' system viable after all...

my innate desire is to close the loop as much as possible in terms of water use....

quick question Gary, where did you get your "pot socks" and how much were they??

Dr. Nick Savidov, Crop Diversification Centre, Brooks, Alberta, Canada has created a turnkey system on a cart. I have seen this with plants and Tilapia. It really works well. He attended a conference in Australia this summer and demonstrated the system. A description of the system has been in the Aquaponics Journal several times. It is a deep flow system with plants on foam sheets. Squash, Tomatoes, Lettuce, and Basil were really healthy. The cart was intended to speed up trials of various fish/veg combinations for prototyping. It sounds like several people on this forum have similar scale systems set up and functioning. If you need larger production, then you can use several. If one system has a problem, then at least the others are still producing.

My system cost a lot but it can produce about 200Kg of fish a year and a lot of veg. It is a hobby and I will be eating a lot of $40 salads and $60 fish dinners for a long time! Some people gamble, go on cruise ships, and have expensive collectables. My enjoyment, great food, and new skills learned makes the cost acceptable. And then there is the great discussions here

Rupert,

I certainly didn't take it that you were putting my ideas down......I really appreciated the thought that you put into your response. Once an idea gets to the design phase it needs to be tested.....if for no other reason than to avoid costly mistakes.

The Pot Sox came from my local hydro shop and I think they were $20 for 3........too expensive for what they are.

I've used some shade cloth offcuts in some of my pots.......much cheaper and just as effective in my view.

Doug, I haven't seen Dr Savidov's system but it sounds interesting.

Gary

Qantas lost most of his system enroute to Australia. I don't know if he ever got a chance to fully display it here in Adelaide. He certainly hadn't found it when we were in Melbourne to see his lectures.

Hi,

This is the final design criteria for my next system:

- Safe to be around.....the capacity to exclude unwanted entry.

- Ability to control the production parameters.....like temperature, DO, etc

- Small footprint – vertically integrated – convenient shape and size....stacking components.

- Sustainable – no herbicides, pesticides or chemicals

- Integrates with other backyard food production systems....like Quail, worms, snails, chickens, rabbits, etc.

- Durable......made to last

- Easy to install and operate – comfortable working height.

- Productive......capable of producing an average of 1kg of fresh fish per week….and copious quantities of fresh vegetables, soft herbs and small livestock fodder.

- Versatile – system components to have multiple uses....and the ability to mix and match tanks and growbeds......and to use a variety of media.

- Cheap to operate - will operate on small pumps.....easily insulated against cold weather

- Designed specifically for an urban backyard.....in terms of overall scale and size of individual components.

- Affordable.....high perceived value and modest actual cost.

- Expandable....add new components as resources permit.

- Aesthetically pleasing......will reside comfortable in any backyard.....and even in many houses.

- Portable.....able to be easily emptied and relocated.....for renters.

- Low water usage.

- Turnkey.....turn it on and add water......and fish.

Gary

Gary,
Just an FYI, I recently saw one system here on the internet which is commercially produced. It is targeted at schools wishing to do research in aquaculture or to provide training in fish farming. Overall, it looks like it might be adaptable to your list, however I am afraid that it will not be cheap to purchase. The manufacturer did not post a price online. Otherwise it will meet the majority of your criteria. Look it up with a google search for fish farming or aquaculture.
Kevin

Crop King in Ohio has a commercial turnkey system. It can be seen here: http://www.cropking.com/a/headsearch.ht ... =19&stext= I think the price is a bit steep though. $2200.00 for 200 gallon system

Crop King's growbeds are too small imho. And I agree--pricey. Also, I think it is available only in the US.

I'd say it does seem a bit pricey, my system is based on a 300g tank and the whole thing cost me around $2700 including my greenhouse. Crop kings does look nicer though.

-Stevo

the posh ones look nicer, but they don't have the character of the rest of our systems

I have spoken with the owner of Crop King and they do not even promote or try to sell the system, and it is NOT commercial in any stretch of the imagination... in their mind it is a novelty/learning/hobby "thing". He said that, not me. They really prefer to focus on Hydroponics and green houses, thats where their business lies.