Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I'm new to the world of aquaponics. I am looking to see if there are any systems in use in or near Provo UT.

The design I had in mind for the system that I want to build would be based on fhe IBC's; 3 would be used to create a fishtank, 3 beds, and a sump tank. The changes to the design I would want to make are: insulated fish tank, put in hoop house, maybe put on a trailer, run everything electrical on solar.

I would LIKE to be able to spend no more than $150 on the entire setup, but being realistic, i'm expecting to have to spend more along the lines of $500-600 for all the parts. After all, i's po'.

PondRacer

Hi Pondracer,

You're really going to have to scrounge to put in the system for $150. Not saying it can't be done but it will probably take longer to source everything. IBC's usually run 80 to 150 each but occasionally can be had for less or free. Plumbing and things like uniseals also add cost and then there's the media.

Cheers

Yeah might want to rethink things a little there... 500-600 is barely enough for the main components of the system, let alone a solar set up, insulation and greenhouse... Solar system alone will blow more than your complete budget..

Yeah the solar isnt happening immediately, itll be sometime down the road.

Media that I am considering is pea gravel; you can get it for free sometimes. I dunno what the drawbacks of it are though.

I know that while a few little things can be got for free, most of the parts I will pretty much guaranteed be buying.

The insulation for the tank and the hoop house would pretty much be a necessity; I can ask a friend in construction for leftover lumber for certain parts of the build.

A question about the pump: what decently affordable but reliable pumps are out there?

PondRacer

Well it does pay to get a reliable energy efficient pump. They can pay for themselves over the course of a year or two in the savings vs getting an el cheapo type. Now that I've gotten that out, I've found that the Laguna Maxflo pumps work well for my setup, your mileage may vary. There are other pumps which may be as good or better but I haven't found them or tried them yet (someone else might point them out )

Start scanning Craigslist for possible tanks and/or other materials. The pump will probably be the most expensive component if you do it right. I only use $40-$70 pumps from Lowe's, they last a season and sometimes are worn out by then, but I don't care. If you get a really good deal on a bed and FT container on Craigslist it could possibly be done for that much, but then you will need fish food, fish, seeds, an air pump probably, test kit, extension cords, plumbing, drill bits, silicone, etc etc.