Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi everybody! I am totally new here to this forum. I am in the process of starting up a commercial aquaponics business. I am pulling together a business plan right now.
I am wondering if there are some previous discussions here on start up or any other pertinent information you fine folks think I ought to know about?
About me I am living in southern New Brunswick Canada (just north of Maine) and our growing season is short so I will be trying to run this under cover year-round. Im going for organic crops and want to sell to both restaurants and the public. I think id like to start small and expand over the next few years.

Some big questions I haven't answered for myself are how much can I grow in a given space? I think I have access to an approx 20' × 20' space where I could set up a greenhouse and be charged little to no rent. Is that enough space to start with? And what kinds of crops should I stary with?

I think I will find answers if I keep looking but I really like talking to experienced people and gaining info that way.

Anybody feel like mentoring me by chance?

One can always hope
Melissa

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Hi pixie
Welcome
There is a lot of info on the forum, just have a browse or use the search function

I also suggest if your new to ap setting up a small system first to get a grasp of the basics
Cheers
Fb


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Welcome Melissa! Like Freoboy said, start with a smallish system to bet the feel for the basics. There is a learning curve, and it is best to make your mistakes when there is not too much capital riding on it. There are quite a few failed systems out there. Then there are fewer successful systems. Keep in mind energy costs can be the killer. The next killer is the time investment. It will be a while before you see any positive numbers on the bottom of your profit and loss statement. Most people can not go without income for the time it takes to get those numbers in the positive.

By no means am I trying to discourage you from embarking on this venture. Everyone here just wants people to understand the hurdles. And they are numerous. You will need to be every part horticulturist, aquaculturist, salesperson, accountant, researcher, lab technician, and laborer.

Short answer is no.

Longer answer is that it is a great area to start a backyard system (BY) so that you can learn what you are doing.

The have been a number of commercial discussions on the forum lately and they tend to get a little tense. So I wish you well in your planning but before I am really willing to answer many questions I'd like to see you go purchase and read some basic texts like:

http://www.amazon.com/Recirculating-Aqu ... quaculture

and/or

http://www.amazon.com/Aquaculture-Engin ... ngineering

Add to this some similar quality texts on hydroponics.

If you are serious you are going to want these and a bunch of other texts on the shelf and by your bedside.

Good luck.

Thanks a bunch! I am currently reading my way through a bunch of stuff related. Definately learning to be done.

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There is a lot to chew through.

Once you have some basic understanding in your head your questions will be much better directed and you can get a much better idea of where to begin your planning.

Having said that your planning should start with your market. Getting the technical part right is only 20-50% of your chance of success depending on which author you listen to.

I'd say even less than 20-50%... All about the marketing for some models...

Yes but...the people we often hear that from are marketers. Unless you are talking about the AP 4 u shonky stuff which is 100% marketing.