Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello all,

My name's Kyle, and I've been bitten by the AP bug. (I think that's the first step)

I've been reading and watching all I can find on this amazing endeavor. I want to be a part of it.
Haven't purchased anything, but drawing up all kinds of plans and ideas. The bad thing is, I keep finding something that seems would work better, so I re-design my layout. Figured I'd rather do it right the first time.

I live just outside of Brunswick, GA, and would love to eventually meet up with others nearby to learn even more. And, of course, once I get something set up, I'd welcome visitors as well. (Anyone want to offer up the first invite?) lol

The current incarnation of my design includes:

1000 gal tank - http://www.plastic-mart.com/product/520 ... -op1060-86

Grow beds - http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/g ... er-10-ft-l
(not sure how many I'll start with)

Sump Tanks - Haven't decided on this yet, but I believe it should be large enough to hold all the drained water from the grow beds ???

Of course, nothing is set in stone, and I may change one or more items over the course of the design.

I plan on using one pump from the sump to FT with gravity feed from FT to GB's. I don't have all the particulars planned yet, still in design phase, but I'm getting anxious to get started.
I would also like to eventually construct a hoop house over everything. Thinking 20'-30' wide by about 75'-100'. Of course, it won't start out this big, as I plan a small start up with the ability to expand. Go big or go home, right?

Whew, that should be good for an intro that probably won't see a lot of attention. Once I begin the actual construction, I'll be taking my share of photos and sharing my experiences here.

Thanks for a great forum, and looking forward to reading any and all comments. Hope to make some great contacts and friends here.

Kyle

Looking forward to seeing your build Lizard, and welcome to the forum.

Thanks for the welcome.

Still debating over some of the items, but I'm getting closer to a decision.

Looks good! ur ideas anyway. Wish i currently had space to do something that big, mine fits in one corner of my bedroom. Guess it could be worse I could not be able to do it at all. But I'm a little green with envy. Keep us posted as to progress, people here seem to know their stuff. Cant wait to see how it turns out.

unless you're lining those galv tanks, they're not good for AP

Howdy Kyle,
Good to see some more Georgians in on the Aquaponics Technology. Welcome to the forum.

The fish tank seems to be just fine. A bit expensive, but it should last quite some time.

As for the growbeds, there aren't many people using the feeder troughs as growbeds. Look at the reviews on Tractor Supply and you'll see the liner tends to warp a bit. Having anaerobic areas in your growbed isn't good for the system. Uniseals may not work for the drains because the liner is too thin, but do your own research on this issue.

If you want a 1:1 ratio of growbeds to fish tank volume, it may take quite a few of those feeder troughs to make it work. Many more if you want to do a 2:1 ratio. Of course it all depends on how many fish you plan to stock in the tank.

Check into the Uniseals for your penetrations, otherwise you may clean out Home Depot/Lowes of their stock fittings!!!

Have fun. Keep on posting. Ask away, lots of info on this forum.

Edit: Hartwell is about 5.25 Hrs away. I have a couple of small systems, but could show you around this area where there are a couple more systems that are setup different than mine. Quite a long trip though!!!

Thanks for the replies.

The feed trough is one of the items I haven't decided on. Only seen a few pics of them being used. The local Tractor Supply doesn't carry them. I'd like to see them in person before shelling out the dough. May end up with something I can find locally.

I figure I would stock the tank to match the amount of growbeds in the system. As I add more beds, add more fish, as long as everything is in balance I'm thinking I should be good.

Thanks Mr Bill. Who knows, but we're always up for a getaway. I'd give plenty of warning, tho, lol.

Still trying to plan a layout to avoid too much wasted space in the future greenhouse. How much room (average) do people normally leave in between rows of beds?

Welcome to BYA!
You might check into these tanks. They are MUCH less expensive than what you posted and they are safe for the fish and plants.
The first one is only $325.00 locally for me and I have yet to get the other one.

http://www.behlencountry.com/index.aspx ... duct&i=561

http://www.behlencountry.com/index.aspx ... oduct&i=18

Thanks for those links. Definitely interested, now to try to find them.

Looks like I'll be redrawing my designs yet again, lol.

Not sure where this should be posted. If there's a better place, please let me know. Thanks. Is there a thread dedicated to Sketchup designs?

I'm still in the design phase of my setup, and hoping to break ground within a few months.

Meanwhile, in my free time, I've been playing around with Sketchup. I couldn't find a decent model of a 50 gal Rubbermaid stock tank, so I did my best to create my own. Dimensions are 2' x 5' x 1'.
I'm working on a tentative sketchup of my plans but haven't gotten too far. One piece of equipment at a time, lol.

Feel free to use this, if you'd like. I'd appreciate any comments as well.


http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=51f6f7911bbb517122153435173ac023

For anyone that may be interested, I've started construction of my first test system. It's not much, but I'm learning a lot from it already and I don't even have fish or media, lol.

http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=20431

As it is a work in progress, I'll post pics as I accomplish something new. Definitely got my work cut out for me, tho.

Thanks

kyle give me a call rusty 5540834. I live near exit 29. have raised freshwater prawns in the past in a farm pond. might work with an aquaponic system

rusty