Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I just signed up after several years of lurking. I just moved back to my home state of Montana and am about to pull the trigger on an acre plot with a nice little old house. It's in a tiny town on the great plains, near Billings, Montana. My plan for the property is to turn it into a garden with some small livestock to help feed me. Aquaponics figures rather largely in these plans. The aquaponics will be located in an earth sheltered greenhouse which I have started designing. I am probably going to use a flood and drain made from IBCs for the tanks still contemplating the media beds. I will be using scoria as a media since there is a cinder cone mine an hour away from the house. Scoria will also be a major part of the greenhouse build as well. So cheap with it so close!
I am contemplating designing the greenhouse to have a back area to house Chickens and pigeons (in separated rooms). This part of the design is rather up in the air though since I have to move in before I can be sure it will all fit in the area I am thinking of.
In the aquaponics I plan on raising native crayfish (virile) and bluegill.

I plan to also keep meat rabbits, utility pigeons, and chickens or ducks.

Anyone else in my region on here? There are several Aquaponic farm startups in the state, so I am sure there are some doing it here.

Lynn

Welcome to the forum Lynn

Hello Lynn,

sounds like you're intending to be self sufficient - good on you I hope it works out.

Pete.

Welcome to the forum, Lynn!
I love the idea of a sustainable life and am seeking that as well. I'm on a quarter of an acre and plan on getting all the same things as you with meat rabbits, utility pigeons, and quail (not enough space for chickens and ducks) but I have to say, if there's a will there's a way! Wish you luck!