Geek2Nurse's aquaponics daydreams

Geek2Nurse

BullwinkleII wrote:

I'd get a large indoor aquarium full of plants to raise fish fry, and during the time between batches, add CO2 to keep the plants, and you happy

Are you doing fish for the plate? I have a vague memory that says no...

If that's the case ignore that and just get an aquarium.

Yes, for the plate. The hurdle will be killing them, but I'm determined to make it past that.

I keep wondering whether an aquarium hooked to aquaponics grow beds might have less trouble with wastes and nitrates building up and necessitating constant water changes. Surely someone has thought of trying that.

If I don't distract myself from this train of thought, my living room is gonna need some skylights...

BullwinkleII

There are lots of aquarium based systems on the forum.

My original plan was to grow fish to large fingerling in an indoor aquarium so I could migrate the biggest to the outdoor system as I harvested them. That way I could regulate the temperature (heated in winter) and grow them faster.

Geek2Nurse

I was looking at discus forums, too. They all say you can't grow discus in planted aquariums. It seems to come down to the nitrates. I'll have to look and see if anyone is doing discus aquaponics.

Although I think I'll raise a few catfish before I take on trying not to kill fish that cost $75+ each (and have to be kept in schools).

BullwinkleII

I'd have Oscars if I had a decorative aquarium. I love the way they follow you around.

Geek2Nurse

BullwinkleII wrote:

I'd have Oscars if I had a decorative aquarium. I love the way they follow you around.

This http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150707516106098&set=a.10150707516031098.459794.7267566097&type=1 is what got me on the discus / aquarium kick. What I've learned so far is that you shouldn't keep those fish together and you can't keep that size discus in that sort of aquarium. For breaking so many rules, it sure is a thing of beauty.

Oscars are cool, too. But not as elegant, and they might decide to eat my dog.

DrLuke

I heard of a couple that owned an Oscar that used to come to the edge of the tank and flick/squirt water at them when he was hungry.

My friend had a huge Oscar that was the only fish in his tank...it had such personality and used to love us throwing moths in under the tank lid to flutter around on the surface.

RupertofOZ

I've always wanted an Oscar... one day I'll make a film...

MrPisky

Geek2Nurse wrote:

iammr.bill wrote:

Do you know his address? I'd write a list of things that absolutely need to be fixed or changed, leaving off the list the items that you can easily change yourself. Mail it to him, followed up by a phone call or voicemail and see where that gets you. Try to leave out the emotion, just state the things that need to be fixed.
Sorry that happemed to you. And thank you for posting it here. Someone will be able to read this and know what not to do when building a GH
And hopefully others will read this and see the need for a written contract with half the money up front, and the other half when the job is complete.

Yeah, problem is I'm a soft touch. I know he's really struggling just to feed his family, and this was a small job for a little bit of extra income that he was fitting in between bigger jobs. And he charged me a mere pittance, which, to be honest, I would have probably happily paid JUST to have the poles put up. Which I got.

I'm out a little more for the supplies I didn't get, but I'd rather just suck it up than nag him about it. Did he do me wrong? Yes. Problem is, I can imagine how it happened, and I have a hard time being angry about it. Disappointed, yes, but not angry. Desperation just overcame good judgment. I can afford the loss a lot more easily than he can afford the time and materials it would take for him to fix what's wrong. It will cost him future income from me, but from where he's sitting, future income probably doesn't feel nearly as real as his current situation.

I'm thinking that's one of the most "caffeinated" posts I've read in a while. Very compassionate!

MrPisky

Geek2Nurse wrote:

While Hubs and I were at Lowe's buying me stacks of lumber for making grow bed benches, there was an overhead announcement that said: "Special assistance needed in the blind cutting area." We both cracked up. We are so warped. :funny1:

now THAT is beyond HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :laughing3:

MrPisky

Geek2Nurse wrote:

OOOOOOHHHH! I want THIS for my grow bed media! :dance:

BUMMER!!!!!!!!!! I wish I had known about this last year when we poured a new driveway at our house!!!
What an awesome idea!!!!

Ronmaggi

I have a friend that breeds discus. We have discussed converting his aquariums to AP. I believe the delay is related to fear. He makes substantial money from them, and chancing things can be scary when you have been doing something a certain way for a while. Especially when the way that you are doing it works...

MrPisky

Tallman wrote:

Geek2Nurse wrote:

This made me think of TCLynx.

The story is this farmer's request for a permit to build a horse shelter was denied. So he built a table and chairs, which didn't require a permit. :headbang:

Oh man that makes my blood boil. The farmer's got land and he/she's got horses. What snot-nosed little local government dipsh*t with half an inch of power to flex would reject his/her application to build a shelter for the horses. Grrrr! So nice to see ingenuity overcome stupidity. Yay!

Yesss!! This is just fabulously AWESOME...

DrLuke

Ronmaggi wrote:

I have a friend that breeds discus. We have discussed converting his aquariums to AP. I believe the delay is related to fear. He makes substantial money from them, and chancing things can be scary when you have been doing something a certain way for a while. Especially when the way that you are doing it works...

Sound like a good enough reason just to buy a separate aquarium/tank

MrPisky

Geek2Nurse wrote:

rsevs3 wrote:

It is a strange fetish this forum has.... :lol:

I work in psych, so I feel right at home here.

Do you really feel at home? Or like there's WORK to be done?? :think:

rsevs3

My aquariums are run as AP. It works an absolute treat. I struggle to grow many plants though..... I really need a proper grow light.

Backyard Aquaponics A place to discuss aquaponics

Geek2Nurse's aquaponics daydreams

Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics