Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I am going to start small and use a 55 Gal drum. How many plants should I be able to plant in my growbed, being the top of the 55 Gal drum?

Allen

So you're using the top and bottom of the barrel as your growbed and fishtank? Probably be able to fill it up with plants as long as there are a few fish and there is enough light. The number is going to depend on what type of plant. You need to make sure you stock fish to the filtration capacity of your growbed. This might be helpful - http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=6646

This PDF is excellent will get you started and give you some ideas as well - http://ibcofaquaponics.com/files/IBCofAquaponics.pdf

How many depends on the plant size. You can cram an amazing amount of chard in that area, but cabbage would need more space.

For such a small FT I am going to use Gold Fish. I was thinking of growing tomatoes. cucumbers and squash.

Thanks Scotty and Ron for your help

Allen

Remember that your primary input is the fish feed. Goldfish flakes are inadequate for Aquaponics. Make sure to get a high quality aquaculture feed.

What do you suggezt.

A lot of folks use Purina Aquamax. I order an organic tilapia feed, not Purina, as I am sure they find it hard to part with GMO's. Then again, I have tilapia.

Thats interesting to learn, the flakes i'm using has 42% protein and formulated especially for goldfish(thats what i have in at the moment) You sugest i change to something else? even for the goldfish. I also suppliment with fresh veg/greens.

I do plan on changing the fish once cycled and hence an adequate feed to go with them, probably trout.

42% protein should be fine.... it's surprisingly high for goldfish...

Ive read you shouldnt feed goldfish protien levels abouve 20% as a maximum. It can cause constipation, diseases and dropsy. This is why standard flakes have much lower protein levels and are made up of other products like fish and/or shrimp meal, hence why Ron has pointed out it is in superior to aquaculture pellets.

This is what i'm using atmo http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4374

Especially formulated for Goldfish(supposedly)

Ingredients
Fish Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Dried Yeast, Shrimp Meal, Feeding Oat Meal, Wheat Gluten, Soybean Oil, Fish Oil, Corn Gluten, Algae Meal, Sorbitol, Lecithin, Potato Protein, Ascorbic Acid, Inositol, Niacin, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, A-Tocopherol-Acetate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin -5-Phosphate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin A Palmitate, Cyanocobalamin, Cholecalciferol, Manganese Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Cobalt Sulfate, Artificial Colors, Blue 2 Lake, Red 3 Dye, Yellow 5 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Ethoxyquin and Citric Acid both as preservatives.

Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein 42.0% min
Crude Fat 8.0% min
Crude Fiber 2.0% max
Moisture 6.5% max
Phosphorus 1.1% min

Anything missing so i could maybe add a suppliment

Artificial color in fish food?

Yes i noticed that too, whatever for? If i could colour veg to red from green my kids would eat it no problem

Ruby Swiss chard.