Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I'm going to do a barrelponic system, or something very similar. I live in Texas where we have mild winters and hot summers. I'm about to build my first system and hope ya'll will dispense with some advice.

Can I build this thing outside without being in an "enclosure" like a greenhouse while i'm in the learning curve? If so will I need to be able to shade the fish tank and vegetables partially during the day from the hot summer sun?

For the future, so that I can grow vegetables during the winter also, can anyone provide me with plans to build or recommend a particular style greenhouse and vendor. I'm thinking 30x16.

Thanks,

TXPOWER

Hi TX,
I live in North Queensland which has similar mild/hot seasons. We also have heavy summer rains. We've built a slightly sloping flat roof (6m x 6m). This is roofed with green house film to keep the excess rain out and covered with shadecloth to keep the temperature down. The sides are open to the breezes and windblown rain. I've just wrapped the sides in bird netting, which doesn't cut the breeze but should protect the fish and growing plants.
Welcome to the forum
Jaymie

TX, what are you calling hot?
I live in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.
Its actually classed as a temperate zone but is close to dessert conditions,we don't have the humidity of Jaymies area.
This means that summers are HOT (43-45 deg cel) and winters are COLD(0to -1deg cel).
IMHO look for what survives the best in your natural conditions for both plants and fish and go from there.

gnash, hot here is 98 to 100 degrees fahrenheit with heat index due to humidity in the neighborhood of 102 to 107 degrees. Cold here, as in the current winter, is daytime highs of low 40's high 30's celcius with nightime as low as mid 20's.

I know I can use native perch, catfish, or goldfish in my system without supplemental heating in winter and can shade the same during summer enough to protect them.

It seems you folks in Australia put your systems right out in the open. I was just wondering after looking at all the gallery photos whether or not ya'll ever get cold enough weather where you have to cover your plants or take measures to keep your fish warm.

thanks.

TX

Hey TXPower,

I've been looking at these. I know they're smaller than you're considering, but the price is right, Has anyone used these ? Quality ?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=93358

Brgds,
Ron Smith

Yeah Ron, I have seen that dude before and if it were twice the size I'd buy it, but for $599.00 its just too small. I guess if you burried your fish tank and built beds over it, save some space to access it for necessary maint etc, you could maximize grow space.

I'm curious what the experienced aquaponicians here think, would the item in the link Ron provided allow for enough grow space to provide a family of 5 with regular fresh vegetables?

Here is what I am thinking of using Ron http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/prod ... mber=CF-16 I bet even after framing in the end walls and putting plastic on it the cost won't be much more than the harborfreight item and you'll get considerably more grow space.

I'm curious what the experienced folk here think of the coldframe in the link I provided in terms of suitability for housing an aquaponics system.

Thanks,

TX

Hey Tx,

Great link. That coldframe looks like a good deal, any extra space could be filled with 55 gallon barrels of water to collect / store heat if needed. My semi urban yard is a little small for a 24 ft greenhouse or I'd try it.

Brgds,
Ron