Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hey guys - wanted to share some info on my first build.

I used a concrete mixing pan from home depot for the grow bed. Initially I had issues with the siphon using pvc. The mason jar ended up winning out and has yet to fail me once.

https://goo.gl/photos/RpMdrpFQWZjXZMC47

Hi there Solarsoul,
make sure you get enough light on the GB and not too much on the FT. Might want to put a board between the tank and window to stabalize the temp.

Thanks for the tips. Definitely been a learning experience.


I've got a led light on my FT for 10 hours a day. A clamp on lamp with a florescent going for about 16 hours. Initially my system was doing Terrible. So i hit my local hydroponic shop and got some tips from a Aquaponics guru.

I since been using crab shells in my grow bed and rock phosphate. Hopefully my strawberries bounce back

I went to a hydroponics shop once to get some prices on equipment and when I mentioned I was doing aquaponics the guy admitted knowing nothing about it or whether the products were suitable. So if you find some one knowledgeable in both and more you'd be onto a good thing.
As far as I know there are less than a handful of apers in a 30 km radius of me which is a unfortunate as visiting and talking with someone about the whys and wherefores would have greatly increased the confidence of building a new aquaponics system.

We actually have a really knowledgeable presence here in Austin,tx. The gentleman I got the information from owns Austin Aquaponics a 1 acre Aquaponics farm. So I'm hoping he sent me down the right path. We shall see!!

Just keep an open mind about designs as most practioners have their favourite way of doing things. Like in this forum its great to see other ways and even add your own twist on design.

Welcome Solarsoul! Another Texan here. I'm just down the road in San Antonio. I've found the the guys at Brite Ideas can be helpful and rather knowledgeable and they have 2 stores up in Austin. I go to the store here in SA and, prior to moving, they had a nice AP setup in the store.

Haha I actually go there often. Love their meetups on Saturday very informative!

I wish I could make those!! Alas, the perils of working retail sales is that you work every Saturday!!!