Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi. I'm James from Ontario and starting a small system in my basement. I have spent nearly a month lurking these forums reading and searching trying to narrow down what I need and can work with.

The System:

Will be in my basement since in Ontario it is getting cold outside! I was able to pick up a 37 gallon tank and will stock it with goldfish. I wanted something more eatable but my understanding is that A) I've missed the stock season B) It is too small to grow plate size fish (maybe perch eventually? Or Bluegills). Oh the system is also going to be a flood and drain setup.

I just have a couple questions and an idea I'm looking for reassurance on.

1st) The Timer! I'm trying to figure out an appropriate timer and have no idea. Could some one enlighten me on this? Here is what I am looking at for a timer. http://www.homedepot.ca/product/plug-in ... mer/980599

The Idea) I would like to grow some duckweed in the tank with the fish! From what I've read duckweed usually grows in a separate tank. I would like to grow it inside a small suspended Tupperware container with cutouts to let the weed grow into the bigger tank allowing for feeding. Good or bad idea?

2nd) Silicone... if a tube says 100% silicone is it safe for use in an aquarium? Or should i just spend the extra $$ and get one that says aquarium same silicone?

Lastly... If anyone is from the GTA and knows where to find duckweed or duckweed seeds please share!

Thanks for your time and any input is highly appreciated. Once everything is finalized tomorrow I will post some pictures

So I thought I would display my Ms paint talent and make a plan of what my system should look like. I would have edited my original post but noticed I can not.

Those are some mad ms paint skillz! Sketchup is a free download, and makes it much easier to get precise. Get the silicone for aquariums. The other types have stuff bad for fish, even though it is "100%" silicone.

Thanks Ron! I looked for that program link around here and couldn't find it. I know I have seen it a bunch as well.

I will definitely get a sketchup drawing as I plan on turning my AP system into a school project.

Hi James,

I have just set up a system in my longe room in the last fortnight after doing the same milling over the forums and there are plenty of cool pics and ideas for indoor systems on my thread.

viewtopic.php?f=45&t=13959&p=356097#p356097

Definately go with the aquarium grade silicone.

You should be able to pic up a timer for about $5-10 from local harward store... I picked up a pack of two for $10

something like this is good
http://www.bunnings.com.au/products_pro ... me--Timers

Very cheap, they look hard to use, but very basic.
ones with the black around the outside have notches/tabs that represent 15minute intervals

Hope this helps cheers

Helps alot bboy! Thank you

Also finished up my sketchup. The green block in the tank is my idea for growing duckweed with enough isolation that it can grow while hopefully not allowing the fish to overfeed and become constipated

If you figure out a good way to isolate the duckweed, let us know. I haven't found a good way to do it and in a flood-drain environment, the duckweed ends up sticking to the sides of the fish tank and dying as the water level drops.

My fish have been living with the duckweed in the tank for about 4-6 weeks and seem more interested in hiding under it than eating it. They could be eating it, but if they are, they're eating it about as fast as it grows.

Thanks for the heads up. I will let you know how it goes.