Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello everyone. Today I made my first purchase to begin! I purchased 4 IBC totes from a local Amish store for $75 each, they are all food grade. Two have molasses in them, about 80 lbs between the two of them, one has about 100 to 150 pounds of honey in it and the forth one is empty. The one with honey has a 2" hole in the cap and even though it was not on the top of the pile I would not eat it, it looks a little watered down. But I also raise honey bees and will use it to help strengthen some weak hives. Should have enough for me and a friend for many years LOL.

Here is a picture of my future greenhouse location. I know it looks bad now but it will change quickly! It is the North bank of one of my ponds, so my greenhouse will have a 100% clear southern view.

I do have a question, I see where they say 1000 l/h pump for a IBC, and their website here sells a 1350 l/h pump. Will I need a 1350 l/h pump for each ibc? I would like to have about 3.5 to 4 times the grow area of the tote lid. So will I need a bigger pump to handle a IBC setup with an extra 4' x 10' grow bed on top of the ibc lid one? If so how big? Is it better to have 4 pumps, one for each ibc or one BIG pump for all?

Ordered water test kit, a 5200 l/h pump and 250 ml of Bio Filter Starter

Up Up and Away!

We need to build several greenhouses so I went ahead and ordered: http://www.buildmyowngreenhouse.com/dy- ... 3-1-1.aspx

So I will be building a 20' wide greenhouse, not sure how long yet.

wkinne,

What a nice launch to your aquaponics project!

I noticed you're into robotics. Once you get things rolling are you planning on loading up on sensors and automation? Here's one guy who's wiring it up pretty well:



It's been a long time since I had little autonomous creatures playing at my feet, but I used to really be into robotics, president of the local robotics club, wire-wrapped all my little 8-bit robot brains by hand, etc. Now I can't even buy a used transistor anywhere within 4 hours of my office. Funny how things change!

Hmmm...



Please keep up the nice progress reports.

--
Sam

Hi Sam,

I am an Arduino nut, so i am sure one will be running things at some point. I have been tinkering with robots since Electronics school back in 1976

The hexapod in my pick, I 3D printed 27 of them for Boy Scout camp, took me most of five months. 18 Scouts each made one and took it home, It was a great time.


Cleared brush from my new greenhouse location today and had a BIG bon fire

Took this picture before the big snow, I have about half the brush removed from my new greenhouse location!

Still lerking

My first pump has arrived as well as my water test kit and my hoop bender. Waiting for winter to take a break, too cold outside right now to do much of anything.

wkinne,

I live in Ohio so I am in the same boat you are, to cold to do anything out side. I am starting my first aquaponic this year too. I will be using 2 ibc totes for the fish tanks, and the bottom half of ten 55 gallon drums for plant beds. I plan on one pump for each tank (500 gph), going to 5 grow beds.

Hi out on a limb, nice to meet ya. I have been collecting stuff for about a month, warm weather will be welcome here

My wife bought me a new drone for my birthday so I took this picture of my future greenhouse site:



The clearing in the center of the photo is where I will be building my new greenhouse for the Aquaponics. It is on the north side of the pond so it will get great sunshine.

Looks like a good plot!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just ordered nineteen 40 liter bags of Hydrofarm Grow It clay pebbles!

I will see how far that gets me

They back ordered 10 of my bags kinda, they were slow shipping from the warehouse.

But I am still here, hauled about 1/3 of the fill for my greenhouse so far. It is a very cold day here today so I wont get much done.

Looks better with the snow and ice gone. If would quit raining I could get more done

hey wkinne, I'm tagging along for the progress! Better late than never right? I'm eager to get started on my greenhouse too, just trying to get a couple indoor projects finished before I move outdoors. Hopefully by then they quit threatening snow... you are far enough north that it sounds like you probably have some headed your way tonight... I think we are far enough south that it should just miss us hopefully.