Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello all!
I was asked a few years ago by a friend to look into aquaponics. He gave me the Nelson and Pade book “Aquaponic Food Production” and I read it cover to cover. I was looking into starting an operation at that time, but long story short; life happened.
I now am looking at starting a small bed in a spare bedroom as a proof of concept to ensure that I can grow something without too much carnage! If this works, I plan on building a greenhouse with at least one 500 gallon tank and have one of my adult children work it with me a few hours a day. If all goes as planned, I will get the operation able to replace my job and support my family in the upcoming years. I do NOT want to re-invent the wheel, so I want to go with tried and true methods.
I plan on taking a short course on aquaponics in the spring and I am open for input. The Nelson and Pade one in Wisconsin is the main possibility, with Will Allen and Growing Power being another. Any one been to another course that is note worthy?
I have just started sourcing my grow beds and supplies and again I am open for input. I found that many people suggest using hydroton and that it can be purchased at Home Depot with free shipping for about 36 dollars a bag of 1.76cu/ft. Is it necessary? Or will river rock / pea gravel do just fine? Possibly a mix? I know surface area is a consideration.
If I am shooting for having 40 sq/ft of grow area, what size tank should I consider? I plan on having tilapia for the first demonstration unless a better suggestion can be made. Since this is going to be inside my home, I will be purchasing a grow LED light. Any particular brand or vendor that anyone has had good experience with?
Thank you in advance for your advice. I look forward to hearing from you.

Welcome David.

There's good news and bad news.
Good news -
- You can use gravel without a problem, the only possible drawback is the weight and that some gravel can raise pH unacceptably. If weight isn't an issue and you test it to make sure it doesn't react to an acid solution it would be fine to use. And a whole lot cheaper.
- Those aquaponic courses aren't highly thought of and are often considered well over priced. That sounds like bad news but luckily this forum has all the info you need to replace those courses (and them some) and all for free!

Bad news -
- Commercial Aquaponics is hard to pull off unless you have a very highly priced niche product to sell. The places offering those Aquaponic courses are often only viable businesses due to govt grants, free labour and from the income derived from their expensive courses.
- LEDs seem to have few people saying good things about them. Few Aussies use lighting at all (way too expensive) so hopefully some of your compatriots can give you more info on the subject.

(bear in mind I'm no expert, just a minor noob sharing my thoughts. Don't think I'm any kind of expert )

ps As for the question about the sizing of your fish tank.
Generally you'll want to have a certain volume of media for every pound of fish you have (or more accurately the amount of food you supply them), not so much about surface area. Usually recommended as approximately 1 fish per cubic foot of media (if I have my conversions correct?).
There are some good calculators available which would be good for you to use, especially if you are considering going commercial.
If you google Dr Wilson Lennard and aquaponics calculator you should find some handy ones.

Thank you Bodgy, for the information. Any help I can get is much appreciated. I did the searches that you suggested and WOW! I have quite a bit of reading to do.

If you're looking for a class, I'd encourage you to attend Pentair's. I haven't been, but I know Drs. Lennard and Rakocy teach.

That is wonderful advice. I have been reading lots of information by both of them and it would be great. Thank you.

I have a question for the group. I was going to set up a CHOP system but I have now been given a 120 gallon glass aquarium that I can use for the fish. Since I am not comfortable drilling into glass, this would not allow me to use the CHOP system, right? Does anyone have some suggestions?

Hi David,

I think that's right, David. You could use an alternating flood and drain system, however.

In a small system like that you would use multiple pumps.

Why a glass aquarium? There are less expensive options, that will make the tilapia more comfortable.

Ronmaggi, the glass aquarium was just offered for free...but it is too big. I had to decide to go with a rubbermaid tote instead and return to the bonafide CHOP system. I will be assembling it this weekend and will post pictures.