Show your Aquaponic system.

[zherico]

Originally Posted by nalu86

yeah every time I go to Harbor freight tools, I look at those cheap solar panels... But I can't do Solar panels in my neighborhood. I can't even have a veggie garden in my own back yard with my association. I even had to get rid of my silkies. That's why I want to sell my house...

Wow, that is rough indeed, and I'm sure they hit you with nice "maintenance fees" every month too

[nalu86]

House is sold and we are in the process of buying house in commercial area on 1.5 acres.

[HX67]

I'm happy you got rid of that anal association, nalu86. Good luck with the new place!

Back to A-ponics, I just started making a new home aquarium-scale setup:

[GraphicGr8s]

Originally Posted by HX67

I'm happy you got rid of that anal association, nalu86. Good luck with the new place!

Back to A-ponics, I just started making a new home aquarium-scale setup:

What is that? Inquiring minds want to know.

[HX67]

Inquiring minds must imagine a lot of holes for pots and a waterflow through the mother...

Here's a scheme of the principle:

[nalu86]

Originally Posted by HX67

Inquiring minds must imagine a lot of holes for pots and a waterflow through the mother...

Here's a scheme of the principle:

Great design, and great Idea, window gives sunlight to the plants, but the tank is in the shade of the system. Something I have been thinking about for a while. Maybe a future project for me, if I can steal the idea. Post pics when you are finished, or even when you are setting it up.

[DogFish]

Originally Posted by nalu86

Great design, and great Idea, window gives sunlight to the plants, but the tank is in the shade of the system.....

If the Hydroponic grow bed stand was a little taller a T5 fixture could be mounted under the grow bed. In effect making the Growbed a hood/fixture. Then the tank would get a good light source.

[HX67]

Originally Posted by DogFish

If the Hydroponic grow bed stand was a little taller a T5 fixture could be mounted under the grow bed. In effect making the Growbed a hood/fixture. Then the tank would get a good light source.

I did end up leaving a little more room in between the tray and the tank, mainly to kep maintenance of the tank easier without moving the growbed every time.

Still liking the light entering the tank mainly from the front of the top to light up the scape and fish more from the direction I'm looking at them, so the original lighting fixture shall stay.
Good idea on installing the lights on the bottom of the tray, though.



I did leak-testing, but figured that the flow I was planning, straight from the outflow of a canister is actually way too much. I guess I'll split the outflow and put valves in each line.
Or then I'll just put a small pump with a timer and get a chance to make a nice ebb and flow.

[HX67]

Testing aqua in the ponics. Looking pretty good.

[nalu86]

very nice!!

[johnson18]

Wow! This thread is awesome! I read through Dogfish's thread a couple day ago & was inspired. I've already found a guy who is giving me two used 55gallon aquariums for free. I will probably only use one in my build. I feel like I've still got a ton of information to absorb, so I probably won't rush into this. I'm hoping to grow lettuces and other greens. I'm sure I will be asking lots of questions!

[johnson18]

What are the advantages & disadvantages of using an open grow bed(kinda like Dogfish's) where you've just got your grow media in a tub versus using net cups to hold your grow media?

I like the idea of a constant flow with the bell siphon to drain the grow beds.

With a 55 gallon tank at the bottom I'm thinking of using two of the same concrete mixing tubs as Dogfish. Do you think these will be big enough, or am I probably going to wish I had more room as soon as I get my first couple crops? Suggestions on other larger items that can be rigged for this?

[DogFish]

A Grow Bed like I use gives you more options for where to place your plants. A system with pots in some sort of trough gives you a more structured approach. It also gives you a defined flow path. Both work well. I think it comes down to space & your engineering ability. I tried to keep my system as simple as I could and recycle as much as I could.

I the 1st thing we all learn is the grow bed is never big enough.

[johnson18]

Originally Posted by DogFish

A Grow Bed like I use gives you more options for where to place your plants. A system with pots in some sort of trough gives you a more structured approach. It also gives you a defined flow path. Both work well. I think it comes down to space & your engineering ability. I tried to keep my system as simple as I could and recycle as much as I could.

I the 1st thing we all learn is the grow bed is never big enough.

Thanks Dogfish! I'm going to go with the same style grow bed that you've got. I'm trying to keep things simple and fairly cheap. Searching Craigslist for as much of my build as possible, either cheap or free! I picked up two 55 gallon tanks yesterday for free, one leaks pretty bad, might consider resealing with new silicone. I wouldn't mind finding a 75 or 90, they'll fit in the same 4ft space and provide more room to grow fish and more ph stability. I found a guy in upstate SC that raises and sells tilapia commercially in an aquaponics operation. He sells tilapia fry to people for their home setups for less then $1 ea. Although I haven't decided what type of fish I want yet.