Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Is there any foreseeable issues with digging a 5' x 10' trench and lining it with EPDM liner to house my fish? I want to have grow beds on each side of the trench for the entire 10'. How complex is this particular setup, if even possible? I am BRAND NEW to aquaponics.

Look at DecalsbyJT's greenhouse thread.

One possible problem with a trench lined with plastic is buoyancy.

If you do not extend the water level of/in the trench/tank/grow bed above the water table the plastic liner will float up because boat-like it will be lighter than the water in the water table.

The water table is normally lower than the trench you will probably be digging but in particularly wet weather the ground can become sodden and during a flood the water table can be above ground level.

Raising the edge of the trench with timber, for example, should offer some relief in all but flood situations.

There is a chance the walls can collapse, especially if they are vertical and not reinforced.

Do your research on retaining walls.

Also good but not absolutely necessary if you can have a drain to daylight to prevent tanks or liners floating out of the hole.

I built a duck pond like that. The water pressure will keep the liner down, no floating.
Wall collaps same thing the water pressure will prevent that.
Just make sure that your liner overlaps the top enough, 2 feet at least 3 to 4 would be better.

Fill your pond before you secure the overlap, the water will push all air underneath the liner out and smoothe all the wrinkels.
Its kinde neat to watch