First small scale system built.

rhuebott5947

As far as the top of the frame I just made a cross piece and screwed it into the frame sides.

rhuebott5947

JaredColorado wrote:

Looks like a good system. I am currently seeting up something of similar size only indoors. Clearly it is warmer where you are than here even in a greenhouse I would freeze out overnite here and on a normal year (not as warm as it has been this nov.) most everyday. That being said where did you get a green house for less than $400? I would love to put one in by early spring but have a very limited budget. I have the same sort of totes you do as my tank/grow beds guess I never gave too much thought to them being or not being food grade. How long before you introduced your fish after setting up the system? I am about ready to plant seedling I've started into the grow beds and tho I've heard you can plant as soon as you start cycling water I am anxious to get fish in there to get nutrients flowing.
Looking good thanks for posting your new set-up.
Jared

I actually built it myself. Schedule 40 1" PVC for the ribs and a lot of recycled lumber. I ended up buying some 2x4's and haven't filled the bottom with gravel yet but it is functional. The plastic I got in a large roll from Lowes near the Concrete section 6 mil plastic 20 feet by 100. I just engineered it myself

rhuebott5947

Also I kind of rushed the fish I started put 20 goldfish in after a few days and then 20 more a week later. When the Ammonia gets high I just change out a portion of the water. I have lost very few fish and that is more the ones that didn't look so good to begin with but for 38 cents a piece I'm not expecting a ton.

rhuebott5947

I was in Wal-Mart today and the woman in front of me was buying some romaine lettuce. I was shocked how it looked compared to the young plants that are starting to head up in my system. They were so pale almost white looking. I was so shocked. If anybody has a some pictures of harvested Romaine that I can compare I would love to see the end result. When I harvest I'm looking forward to doing a side by side comparison with store bought. I'd be glad to post the results.

rhuebott5947

I got a really pleasant surprise this morning. My Spinach, Carrots, Beets, Radishes, turnips, and Kale have sprouted. Very Happy Indeed.

rhuebott5947

Just got the Kill a watt 4400. Now I can start tracking power consumption along with PH, Ammonia, Nitrites, And Nitrates. Once I get a few month of reading on the bigger system that is when The solar panels start arriving. Got to add a new category and graph to my tracking documents.

jrl91rs

Did you direct sow the seeds?

rhuebott5947

Yea a good portion of them. I did the Onions from sets, Broccoli, Collards, And Romaine Lettuce were from the last few Plants that Lowe's had. I thought they were going to die really but the just went nuts.

rhuebott5947

I had to leave my system for about four days. During that time had a power issue but my mother caught it quick. Got back and the plants have exploded. I can't wait to get this stuff in a salad. It looks great. The whole time I was gone I was constantly thinking about the system. Feeling bad that I couldn't do my tests and calculations on power consumption. But nothing happened so I'm happy as everything.

parker

i have used plants that i purchased from lowes and it worked but its more exciting to grow from seeds then transplant them to the aqua system and see how much faster they explode compare to the soil way, plus you dont have to do any weeding and that is so time consuming

rhuebott5947

Well I'm in the planning stage for the 1000 gallon system that is going to replace my 100 gallon system in the greenhouse.

Backyard Aquaponics A place to discuss aquaponics

First small scale system built.

Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics