Aquaculture system
So there are many people doing many different DIY setups out there. You can go to aquaponicscommunity.com to check out other versions.
Aquaponics works by closing the loop between a fish tank and growing beds. The fish tank stores the fish and water for the system. The grow beds are then filled with the fish effluent/waste within the water to supply the plants with the fertilizer they need. The fish are fed common feed and their waste is then broken down by beneficial bacteria (non-pathogenic bacteria) to be used by the plants. Many people us gravel in their grow beds, which supports the plants and provides the space/surface area for the bacteria to grow and breakdown the waste. The fish waste is converted to nitrate (fertilizer) by the bacteria and the ammonia secreted by the fish in their waste and gills also fertilizes the plants. The gravel used should be 1.5" in diameter or greater to help provide space for roots and water flow.
I set up a small patio system that uses a 110 gallon 'stock tank' from Tractor Supply. I have 15 bluegill stocked in this tank and they are doing well, but most suggest a minimum of 250 gallons. That volume will help with fluctuating nitrate levels and allow you more time to get the system balanced without killing the fish. I have had years of fish keeping experience and can use a smaller volume. The fish you choose is also important. Some use catfish or bluegill that can tolerate a wide range of temperature and nitrate conditions. Tilapia is also used, but the water should be kept at 70 degrees or higher. Some also use non-food fish, such as goldfish or koi. These fish can really handle wide fluctuations in water quality and grow and eat very well. You can contact the closest aquaculture facility to get your fish and they will have more regional information on growing conditions.
(see picture 1)
I then built a grow bed out of 2x4 lumber and plywood. The grow bed is 12 inches deep, 4 foot long and 2 foot wide. I used pond liner to make the grow bed waterproof and then drilled through the side for the bulkhead. The bulkhead is used to drain the grow bed back into the fish tank. There are many different ways to set up a grow bed. Many people use plastic containers or tubs to use as a grow bed and then drill through those to drain them to the fish tank.
The plumbing for the system can be flexible tubing or schedule 40 PVC. The easiest method for starting an aquaponics system is to plumb the system so that gravity works as much as possible (no electricity costs for this part). I do this by placing the pump in the fish tank and running the plumbing up from the fish tank to the grow bed to supply the nutrient rich water. The grow bed is set up higher than the fish tank, so that the drain from the grow bed uses gravity to drain the water back to the fish tank.
(see picture 2.)
This a great starting point: http://aquaponicscommunity.com/page/aquaponic-gardening-rules-of
[You can also check out my youtube page http://www.youtube.com/user/rbwspea and/or go to youtube and search aquaponics. There are a lot of great videos from fellow backyard aquaponics.]
(cross posted to my journal)
Aquaponics works by closing the loop between a fish tank and growing beds. The fish tank stores the fish and water for the system. The grow beds are then filled with the fish effluent/waste within the water to supply the plants with the fertilizer they need. The fish are fed common feed and their waste is then broken down by beneficial bacteria (non-pathogenic bacteria) to be used by the plants. Many people us gravel in their grow beds, which supports the plants and provides the space/surface area for the bacteria to grow and breakdown the waste. The fish waste is converted to nitrate (fertilizer) by the bacteria and the ammonia secreted by the fish in their waste and gills also fertilizes the plants. The gravel used should be 1.5" in diameter or greater to help provide space for roots and water flow.
I set up a small patio system that uses a 110 gallon 'stock tank' from Tractor Supply. I have 15 bluegill stocked in this tank and they are doing well, but most suggest a minimum of 250 gallons. That volume will help with fluctuating nitrate levels and allow you more time to get the system balanced without killing the fish. I have had years of fish keeping experience and can use a smaller volume. The fish you choose is also important. Some use catfish or bluegill that can tolerate a wide range of temperature and nitrate conditions. Tilapia is also used, but the water should be kept at 70 degrees or higher. Some also use non-food fish, such as goldfish or koi. These fish can really handle wide fluctuations in water quality and grow and eat very well. You can contact the closest aquaculture facility to get your fish and they will have more regional information on growing conditions.
(see picture 1)
I then built a grow bed out of 2x4 lumber and plywood. The grow bed is 12 inches deep, 4 foot long and 2 foot wide. I used pond liner to make the grow bed waterproof and then drilled through the side for the bulkhead. The bulkhead is used to drain the grow bed back into the fish tank. There are many different ways to set up a grow bed. Many people use plastic containers or tubs to use as a grow bed and then drill through those to drain them to the fish tank.
The plumbing for the system can be flexible tubing or schedule 40 PVC. The easiest method for starting an aquaponics system is to plumb the system so that gravity works as much as possible (no electricity costs for this part). I do this by placing the pump in the fish tank and running the plumbing up from the fish tank to the grow bed to supply the nutrient rich water. The grow bed is set up higher than the fish tank, so that the drain from the grow bed uses gravity to drain the water back to the fish tank.
(see picture 2.)
This a great starting point: http://aquaponicscommunity.com/page/aquaponic-gardening-rules-of
[You can also check out my youtube page http://www.youtube.com/user/rbwspea and/or go to youtube and search aquaponics. There are a lot of great videos from fellow backyard aquaponics.]
(cross posted to my journal)