Aquaponics As a Food Source

[Irving]

Thanks Hollohaus. Someone else was recently giving me some insight to lighting. I just took the lazy way and used an Aerogarden lamp. I also had the light way too high above the plants, and probably still do.

I originally built my aquaponic set-up just to prove to myself that I could do it. It more or less works, and has been since my last post in here. However, now I have a single, large (I think) jalopeno plant that is not flowering because I've paid attention to nothing but getting the siphon to work consistently.

I've been thinking about where/how I could dedicate the space to build a more complete system. Thinking about my heated garage.

[rbeau30]

I just envision a system that is as efficient as possible. I will have space in the yard for a greenhouse. If I can put a pond or a aquatic vessel of some kind in the ground over the fish container(s) the griound would keep the water from freezing as well as the greenhouse that is heated via solar radiation.

I may not be able to grow year round but I can at least get a good extension on the growing season. Plus if I have fish like perch, which are used to cold climes, it might work.

[Irving]

You can use Goldfish, but I imagine you want something to eat. My neighbor has a few ponds and he has to toss heaters in them in the winter to keep the water from freezing.

[Irving]

Here rbeau30: http://www.aquaponics.net.au/product/prod161.htm

I down loaded some 10-page document from these guys that was a little more in-depth. I bet you can find all the info on there.

[rbeau30]

Here rbeau30: http://www.aquaponics.net.au/product/prod161.htm

I down loaded some 10-page document from these guys that was a little more in-depth. I bet you can find all the info on there.

Thanks! I love reading material! I really like the tote idea with that link I can visualize it finally.

[Irving]

I wish I could get you the thing I downloaded. It has a lot better pictures. Basically two totes gets you a fish tote and three grow beds.

[rbeau30]

I'd paypal you some cash if you'd burn it onto a CD and mail it to me.

[Irving]

Pshhh, no cash needed. Just not sure I'm set up to burn stuff anymore. Let me check.

[rbeau30]

So I have 2 less children now, and the ones that are left, lost interest in the fish tank. So here is my project. Trying to keep my mind occupied.



Fish tank on top. small submersible pump pumping water to the 7" deep dish tub that restaurants use. Cheap $25 bell siphon kit from ebay, drains to the fish tank below. I rooted a sprig of Watercress that was leftover from something we made for dinner and it has been doing well in the media. I also have some Leaf Lettuce and Kale sprouts.

Light is a 2' double T5 light fixture from home depot.

Going to expand it though this weekend:


2 new tubs ($4.99 each), cheap ebay bell siphon kit, a pair of PVC electrical connections screwed together with some o rings to make bulkhead fittings to connect the two tubs together.

Water pumped into the first one where there will be a styrofoam raft with holes. once it gets to a certain level the water goes into the second tank. filling that up to the height that the siphon works. The tub on right will always be full, and the one on the left will flood and receed as the bell siphon works.


This is a proof of concept, I can't really do anything big like I want because of HoA

[rbeau30]

Double Post