Anyone have an aquaponics / hydroponics / aeroponics setup?

[xenxes]

And if so... pics?

[Gooberfish]

I do aquaponics with my tank. A little context:

I started my 10g as a simple goldfish tank, but through my aquarium research, fell in love with planted tanks. I'm currently in the process of converting my tank into a planted tank. I'm switching my substrate to eco-complete when I move out of my college apartment.

This is also my first attempt at aquaponics. I sprinkled WAY too many seeds in the bed, they've become a tangled mess. I also have insufficient lighting with just 1 60w plant bulb from home depot with a cheap reflector. Kind of ran out of money but I'll get it right next time.

Could not afford a shelf, so I used the furniture I had.

Attachment 46389

Radishes, Basil, Parsley, Bok Choy, Strawberries (bad idea), Romaine Lettuce
Attachment 46390

View from my college bed where not enough women have been
Attachment 46391

^^ You can also see my 1st failed attempt at DIY CO2. (Leaks on the reactor). I have it going correctly now.


It's been fun, but my 2nd attempt at home over the summer should be better. Still trying to figure out the planted tank dosing routine. Any comments/criticisms/suggestions would be most appreciated.

[xenxes]

Wow that's really cool, I've been wanting to do something similar on a limited budget. Questions!

- Is that a continuous flow or do you have an ebb and flow set up?
- Are you using just regular river rock instead of hydroton? I thought you had to use something to expand and retain water?
- How are you pumping the water up there? and back down?

Setting up the pump / pipes / tubes / bell siphon is deterring me from getting something setup. No idea where to start or procure equipment.

[Gooberfish]

I'm still playing with the flow stuff. I do flood & drain. I have a small fountain pump 100 gph or something close to that. I'll probably put it on a timer to pump water for 30 minute, 3 or 4 times a day. $30 at Lowes. You can get a cheaper one off [Ebay Link Removed] I'm using regular river rock. Granite pebbles or whatever. It retains moisture. $5 huge bag at home depot. Hydroton might be better, but I'm getting results with the river rocks.

I'm just kicking myself in the face for sprinkling too many seeds in. Such a gardening noob thing to do haha. Definitely don't model your setup exactly like mine. I need to invest in new lighting.

[kamikazi]

check out the planted HOB thread and the riparium section in general discussion. The riparium planters from riparium supply comes with a bag of hydroton

[xenxes]

Yeah I figured mechanical timer + pump is the easiest way to do flood & drain, but how do you ensure that the water stays above a certain level--did you cut a drainage hole a few inches up? I'd prefer to do a bell siphon (http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/BIO-10.pdf) but suck at DIY.

[Gooberfish]

Yeah I'm a typical lazy college student that doesn't like to read a lot haha.

Simply adjust the flow of the pump. I just look through the plastic bin to see where my water level is it and adjust accordingly. I stabbed and twisted a whole with scissors in the side of my plastic bin and slipped a 5/8 tubing in it and sealed it with silicone.

[Ridewithme38]

Nice basic setup, i'm in the planning phases of setting up a Aquaponics system for my 29 Gallon Goldfish tank right now...I'm going to do a basic continuous flow system like yours, aquarium gravel as media, i've seen too many tanks turn brown from the Hydroton and my tank takes priority over my plants

The most complicated thing i'm running into, is building the stand....so the tank and the plants can both be displayed nicely

[D3monic]

I may or may not.... but I can't show you pictures.

[alexei]

I do hydro. I have some heirloom melons and tomatoes going now. It's my first time doing melons and have been fully flabbergasted by how well they are doing. I'll post some crappy cellphone pics in a few.

[alexei]

[DogFish]

DWB




My 1st attempt @ a Deep Water Bucket

>>>95% recycled Dumpster Diver DIY project. The 'Net Pot' is a plastic
flower pot I drilled holes in. Media is Rock wool from some old plant pots, along with some crushed Lava rock. The water level indicator is a fishing bobber. Rather proud of that idea. Left over 1/2 can of flat black primer.

The 3.5gl bucket, air pump found on trash day. I did buy the air stone and some new line and the Cherry Tomatoe plant.

I'm using Dr. Earth's Organic Liquid 3-3-3. I'm also going to try that in one of my tanks.