Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Thanks Scotty,

The greenhouse is partially sitting on a footing, the rest of it is sitting on blocks. Where I live I have nothing but clay. Things tend to stay where they are.

I'm quite jealous of your greenhouse. That looks amazing!

Our trout are quite jumpy. Are you planning on putting a net or something over your tank? If not, they'll probably end up jumping over the edge.

Thanks for the tip! I do have the lid that closes, but I think I will add a screen as well!

Do you have a lid? I was wondering if I need to vent my lid as well. I currently just have the solid lid over it. My thought was to keep the sun out.

I don't have a lid over the fish tank. I built a triangular PVC frame / shadecloth screen with a hatch that opens to use as a cover and fish containment unit. I really enjoy watching the little buggers jump when feeding and when the water is pumping into the tank.

I'll need to put photos on my system build thread.

Even with your tanks insulated, you may need to consider supplemental cooling for trout. So far this summer our water has remained cool, but.... plans just in case.

Options we can implement quickly:

Frozen milk jugs dropped into the sump and changed as necessary.
Coil of black plastic tubing inside a small office fridge, and using a tiny pump to circulate water from the sump through the coils and back to the FT.

Alright this thread makes me want to make my greenhouse prettier lol

Looks great and indoor system looks nice as well.

Dont want to sidetrack a system to much, but with no fish involved in hydroponics what all do you fertilize with

That's pretty cool! I look forward to seeing a picture of it!

That's funny you should mention that! I have actually thought out the cooling thing. I have what they call a blast chiller for cooling beer when you have a keg. It's a SS coil in a cooler and you put ice and water in the cooler, then you pump the beer through it and it's chilled when it comes out the tap.

So I thought about using that, but then I didn't see anyone talking about cooling their water so I forgot about it.

Lol! I thought that yours looks pretty good! I really like your automatic feeder! I may have to borrow that idea if that's ok.

So this is my progress for today. I have built the frame for one of my grow beds. It is 3.55m x 0.6m x 28cm deep.

Sorry East, I forgot to answer you about the hydroponics stuff. It's kind of funny, I found aquaponics before I started the hydro stuff and I thought that it was cool. When I went to the hydroponics store and asked them about it, they said it was hard and the fish were too hard to look after. So I went with hydroponics and they gave me there brand of nutrients, basically chemicals. So that's what I've been using.

Sorry East, I forgot to answer you about the hydroponics stuff. It's kind of funny, I found aquaponics before I started the hydro stuff and I thought that it was cool. When I went to the hydroponics store and asked them about it, they said it was hard and the fish were too hard to look after. So I went with hydroponics and they gave me there brand of nutrients, basically chemicals. So that's what I've been using.[/quote]


That's a salesman telling you we haven't got this and it's no good anyway, but we have this and it's far better.

With hydroponic nutrients at well over $25 a litre here in Australia they'll all tell you aquaponics is no good.

Welcome and great looking GH Kainat,

pretty handy getting all that Cedar for free! that would cost $1000's over here.

the FT water should be aerated by your system, vents in the lid probably not required but would be a good idea.

Great Work mate, Looks awesome!

That's a salesman telling you we haven't got this and it's no good anyway, but we have this and it's far better.

With hydroponic nutrients at well over $25 a litre here in Australia they'll all tell you aquaponics is no good.[/quote]


Lol you probably right! I just didn't know any better until I found this forum! Yes it's expensive here as well. That's why I want to change it to aquaponics!

Thanks slowboat!

Yes it is handy for sure. The wood came from a playground manufacturer and they are either cut wrong or obsolete stock. They just through it out! I know someone that works there and he collects it for me, I can't say no to free wood!

It early cost $1000s here as well!

Yeah the more I think about it, I think I will add a vent!

Thanks Mathew! I appreciate it!