Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hey there people!

Ahm so, I have been working with aquaponics already for some time but only inside the greenhouse. I have some space left outside, right in front of it and I thought to make another system (Why not use all the space)

So I have my design in mind and what I want to do but I have the following doubts:

1. Water level build up -- Since where I am can get very rainy (The Netherlands) I am worried that the there will be a point when a lot of rain will fall over a long period, leading to an accumulation of water (collected both from the fish tanks and the grow beds)

What to do then? make an overflow? If I do, where should that water go? Dump it? keep it?

And 2. Since with all the extra rain water, I have been thinking that maybe also my nutrients will get diluted with all the new fresh water, hence, I might lose fish waste power.

Possible solutions: was thinking about maybe build a sort of roof for both the fish tanks and the grow beds, just to keep the water out as much as possible, but that will add a lot of work and also a lot of materials. Curious what are your experiences with having a system out in the open air

Hello!
My system is outdoors, and we don't have too much rain here (13-16 inches) 330-406 mm on a typical average year, but the weather has been far from average in the last 12-15 years. We now tend to get less rain on average, but it comes in heavy downpours 2-3 times a year, and a few very light rains in between.

Several times it has overflowed the sump, or come close to it. I would like to install a sump overflow that drains to the garden/ fruit trees, but haven't got around to it.

I think you would be okay watching the ph and buffering accordingly.


I have tested the ph of the rain here a few times, and it is usually 6 or below, I have test strips that go down to 3.

So, rain could lower your ph, especially iff you have consecutive rainy days.

And, I agree that it will dilute your nutrients. So, if you can construct something to cover it, it would help, even if it is temporary. It could give you piece of mind, and make it so you don't have to worry about it. Could you make an extension of the greenhouse roof somehow?

You won't have a problem with freezing outdoors?

How is your greenhouse system going?

What kind of fish are you using?

And how have the winters been for you? Any issues with freezing?
Any pics?

The rainy days can go on for some time. Even 1 full week. Not tropical rainy season style, but still. 838.2 mm per year here where I am. Plus the location is in the city not far from industrial areas so one way or another I think it is just better to make for each bed a small greenhouse cover (like the ones ppl make for pallet gardens) and also for the fish tank and sump. And still, just to be sure, add an overflow.


Could you make an extension of the greenhouse roof somehow?

The greenhouse is from glass and I thought about it but it would be too costly...and too much effort. Plus we are not sure if we can stay for a long period of time

You won't have a problem with freezing outdoors?

Freezing is not really an issue. It is sometimes in a few years. During winter most likely I will not grow anything but keep the fish tank as a pond. If it freezes I will add one of those ice breakers in the fish tank and stop with the feeding long before if it getting too cold

How is your greenhouse system going?

The greenhouse system is going fine. Now I am moving into rehabilitating the fish room. This year I managed to change the old system into a new one. Ebb and flow, Dutch Bucket, towers, NFT and soon DWC, The greenhouse is for showcasing to people all the different methods you can have with Aquaponics


What kind of fish are you using?

Now I have Koi carp which are going to be put in the outside system since they will do well in winters. Inside, I want to go for African Catfish.... (attach an inline heater too just to be sure) I was also thinking about seasonal fish (so warm water fish during winter and col water fish during winter) but I was also advised not to do (the person was working for an aquaculture company)


And how have the winters been for you? Any issues with freezing?
Again, only few times freezing. I will not be too concerned about it to be honest. I will still take all the measurements for that

Any pics?
And yes I do

Doesn't seem to work.. will do that later