Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hey Everyone!


Introduction of myself
http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=19319

I have always been interested in Aquaponics and realized that my LGU could benefit greatly by implementing this technology. After seeing their Demo Farm which they are raising 4000 talapia, i knew this could be a big hit. First i wanted to demonstrate an Aquaponic system on a small scale to show my LGU it is successful. I have been talking to my papa about this project and he was eager to begin. When Yolanda hit, the storm took out my family's mango tree. We thought it would be a great place to put the system since nothing was blocking the sun. So it began, the clean up!


Location of aquaponic system will be placed


Aerial view where system is going


Trellis and foundation of sun shade being erected


Demolistion! place for grow beds


Grow bed platform


The materials I will be using are recycled. Bought 4 refrigerators to use as fish tanks and grow beds. The purpose of this is to show how little capital one needs to start up this system. As time goes by and production is good, one can continuously add tanks and beds to expand system. Another reason i am showing how little capital needs to start up a system is because everything is out of my own living allowance. Haha


Within the first week all of the plumbing was connected and tested.


Each tank has a aeration bar for the fish. We are thinking about having one tank draining while the other is filling up to provide enough air to tanks when days are really hot. Each siphon has a ball valve to regulate water leaving the tank. We did this just in case a problem arose in the future. In addition, both tanks are connected with two 3/4 in connectors.

One thing that I had to keep in mind is the price of electricity, therefore i bought one 10 watt pump, initially. The next size pump available was 60 watts, so that was not an option since it draws too much current. When testing the system the one pump had a little difficultly pumping the water to both beds, so I went out and got the same pump. Now the total current being drawn is 20watts, and seems to be working quite well.

Since everything is coming out of my pocket, I am using beach gravel for growing medium. I dont know if this is a good idea but funds are dwindling till next month. Currently washing media, which is taking a long time because it has been sitting on beach for a while. I have done the vinegar test and no bubble action. All rocks are smooth with no sharp edges.

Growing medium


What are peoples input on medium being used?

For stocking the tanks, i will am going to transfer talapia from my lolas(grandmother) hatchery along with some of the water as well.

I want to say that each tank is 80-100L, so 16 talapia in each. But I also read that rectangle containers are not the best. Does that mean that I should stock less?

Also I am in the process of planting seeds in soil then transfer into system once a few inches. I am planning on having one bed for long harvest and other for short.



Hopefully by this weekend it will be up and running.

Back to washing gravel/rocks.


Looking forward to every ones input!

Hope this finds folks in good spirits!

looking good Manny,

Did you test the rocks for limestone, ie put it in some vinegar and see if they bubbles

Looks great.

Welcome to the forum.

Thanks!


Yes i tested, no bubbles!

Luv your resourcefulness Manny.B, keep up the great work, AP is an awesome way produce.

looking good...

Thanks every one for comments and support.

While sitting on my porch, a friend came by to drop off 2 dozen native talapia. haha Only in the Philippines. Well i guess i need to kick it into gear tomorrow to get things running.

Hi Manny, love what you're doing with the fridges. Good luck with the system and welcome to the forum. I hope your system takes shape quickly.

Regards, Martin.

Why didn't I think of that? I know where to get a couple of refrigerators right now.

Is there a reason you removed the outer shell from the refrigerators?

Brilliant! The tanks are already insulated and everything! Did you have to plug many holes? If so, what did you use?

The Philippines are a volcanic island chain. Your beach rocks are lava also called scoria on this site. They work quite well. Only concern would be any coral chunks but it looks like you have those all picked out.

Good luck!

Might need to be concerned about the salt levels as well.

Ya had to think out side of the box since aquariums are really expensive here. I think its pretty neat. My only concern in this hot climate is that it is toooo insulated for the hottest months here.


I bought the refrigerators(ref) at a junk shop. When the shop buys them whole they rip all the goodies off and sell them separate, so what is left is just the shell. Every thing is sold by how much it weighs. I wanted to see if i could get a full sized ref but none were available, each ref is about a meter long.

Got to love peso pinching! haha

At the junk shop these were the ones that were in the best shape. I had to plug holes that mounts for shelves. We used epoxy, which I am not really sure about. Papa insisted that we use it, so long run i have no idea. But for big holes we used silicon and a piece of plastic to repair.